Do I really need a Nitrox computer?

[MAGELLAN]

If I just had the money to blow, I would upgrade to a nitorx capable computer, but... My wife and I are getting ready to do the Nitrox class, and I was wondering what everyone thinks about just using my air computer with nitrox tables. Will I still be "safe" enough using the tables or is it too much of a hassle and I'd be better off just upgrading computers? (I have to justify spending a grand on new computers to you know who.)

 

[tedwhiteva]

Abolute, definite maybe. Nitrox benefits are much greater diving a computer. Diving Nitrox with and air computer is using it basically as a bottom timer. Most somputers today are air/nitrox, so if you have an air only it "probably" is older and you will gain using a newer computer with updated "tables" built in.

I have tried it but I wouldn't be surprised but what air on a computer is better than nitrox on tables - depending on your profile.

My answer to your question - IF you are going to dive Nitrox, YES you need a Nitrox capable computer.

Bad news you each need one - don't make the dangerous mistake of trying to dive together just using one computer.

Hope this helps

 

[Mako Mark]

YES, get a nitrox computer

 

[Iruka]

You may as well get the nitrox-capable computer if you're diving nitrox....of course, like any diving, you can use tables, just not as convenient or easy. The main problem is if you're using a "regular" (air) computer, you're allowed to go deeper safely than you would be with nitrox, depending on the % of oxygen used. My hunch is that as long as you stayed above the Nitrox depth limit for that mix, the "air" computer would just give you shorter NDLs, and require a longer surface interval...in which case, it wouldn't be more dangerous, but you would be losing some of the advantages of using nitrox. But that's just my opinion and don't know for sure how accurate it would be....and the danger, as I mentioned earlier, is that a lot of divers just look at the "how much time do I have left" number on the computer, and forgetting the depth limit on your nitrox mix could result in serious oxygen toxicity problems.

 

[zboss]

If I just had the money to blow, I would upgrade to a nitorx capable computer, but... My wife and I are getting ready to do the Nitrox class, and I was wondering what everyone thinks about just using my air computer with nitrox tables. Will I still be "safe" enough using the tables or is it too much of a hassle and I'd be better off just upgrading computers? (I have to justify spending a grand on new computers to you know who.)

They are only slightly more expensive and it will save you a lot of hassle later on.

 

[Quarrior]

If I just had the money to blow, I would upgrade to a nitorx capable computer, but... My wife and I are getting ready to do the Nitrox class, and I was wondering what everyone thinks about just using my air computer with nitrox tables. Will I still be "safe" enough using the tables or is it too much of a hassle and I'd be better off just upgrading computers? (I have to justify spending a grand on new computers to you know who.)

Using the Nitrox tables and sticking to what they tell you will keep you safe, after all, that is what they are designed to do.

Your air computer will only be useful for determining how deep you are and how long you've been down. That's it.

You will not have the advantage of the multi-level dive durations your computer could give you and you will have to remember everything your tables told you. Plus, you will have to ensure you are using your tables correctly, which you should do anyway as depending 100% on a computer is not a good idea.

Bottom line, you need to decide how much Nitrox diving you're going to do and what advantages and disadvantages are both situations.

Just my $.02 worth.

Brian

 

[CuriousMe]

If I just had the money to blow, I would upgrade to a nitorx capable computer, but... My wife and I are getting ready to do the Nitrox class, and I was wondering what everyone thinks about just using my air computer with nitrox tables. Will I still be "safe" enough using the tables or is it too much of a hassle and I'd be better off just upgrading computers? (I have to justify spending a grand on new computers to you know who.)

You can do it....if you don't go below whatever depth is safe for the specific mix you're using, and you track your O2PP yourself.

You won't get any bennefit of longer NDL's that nitrox can give you....but you'll get an extra safety margin since you won't be taking as much Nitrogen in.

The answer to your question really lies in why do you want to dive with Nitrox? What bennefit are you looking for?

Peace,
Cathie

 

[MAGELLAN]

I could be wrong here, as I'm just getting into the Nitrox class, but what I wanted to do was use nitrox for the shallower second dives, or the last day or two on a week long trip of diving. The reason was that I just wanted to put myself at less of a risk for DCS, especially on a long trip where we are doing 2-3 dives a day for 5 or 6 days straight. I was also hoping that we might "feel" better, i.e. less tired if we used nitrox for our second dives. Of course that makes me wonder, is it a simple thing to switch the computer over from an air dive to a nitrox dive? Will the computer still keep up with the nitrogen loading from the previous "air" dive? Just for reference, we are using the Oceanic Versa and I like it., very simple and easy to use. We've only had them for a little over a year. I was considering the Oceanic Versa pro, air integrated, nitrox capable etc.

 

[Quarrior]

I could be wrong here, as I'm just getting into the Nitrox class, but what I wanted to do was use nitrox for the shallower second dives, or the last day or two on a week long trip of diving. The reason was that I just wanted to put myself at less of a risk for DCS, especially on a long trip where we are doing 2-3 dives a day for 5 or 6 days straight. I was also hoping that we might "feel" better, i.e. less tired if we used nitrox for our second dives. Of course that makes me wonder, is it a simple thing to switch the computer over from an air dive to a nitrox dive? Will the computer still keep up with the nitrogen loading from the previous "air" dive? Just for reference, we are using the Oceanic Versa and I like it., very simple and easy to use. We've only had them for a little over a year. I was considering the Oceanic Versa pro, air integrated, nitrox capable etc.

You have some interesting points that are worth addressing.

1. If you are planning 2 - 3 dives a day, your DM will plan your deepest dive of each day first. Work with the DM to make sure the planning takes into consideration the diving your did the previous day. You can do all the diving you are talking about on the trip without Nitrox. One thing, does the resort/dive shop you are going to have Nitrox? I just came back from Jamaica and they did not.

2. Diving on Nitrox to feel better after diving is the wrong reason to dive Nitrox. It is good for extended bottom times at depths between 50 and 100 ft and for shortening surface intervals. Keep in mind, bottom time is still dependant upon gas usage. If you use up an AL80 in 30 min, then you will use an AL80 of Nitrox just as fast. It will just cost you more.

3. A Nitrox capable computer will switch between gases and keep your previous dive information and correctly track allowable bottom time.

I can't speak for the computers your are talking about, so I won't.

Brian

 

[CuriousMe]

You have some interesting points that are worth addressing.

1. If you are planning 2 - 3 dives a day, your DM will plan your deepest dive of each day first. Work with the DM to make sure the planning takes into consideration the diving your did the previous day. You can do all the diving you are talking about on the trip without Nitrox. One thing, does the resort/dive shop you are going to have Nitrox? I just came back from Jamaica and they did not.

Well, hopefully you're in the planning process and not just depending on your DM to plan your day for you....right?

Yes you can do that many dives a day without nitrox.....but the reality is that you'll take on less nitrogen doing it with nitrox.

Very valid point about the availability of nitrox at resorts....you'll definately want to check in advance. You see it a lot more in the islands now, but you can't assume it will be available.

2. Diving on Nitrox to feel better after diving is the wrong reason to dive Nitrox. It is good for extended bottom times at depths between 50 and 100 ft and for shortening surface intervals. Keep in mind, bottom time is still dependant upon gas usage. If you use up an AL80 in 30 min, then you will use an AL80 of Nitrox just as fast. It will just cost you more.

I know that the PADI Nitrox class stresses that Nitrox isn't safer than diving air....but the reality is that you are taking on less nitrogen. Some people find that they are less tired after a day of diving with nitrox....some don't find a difference, you'll have to see for yourself on that one Magellan.

3. A Nitrox capable computer will switch between gases and keep your previous dive information and correctly track allowable bottom time.

I can't speak for the computers your are talking about, so I won't.

Brian

I have the Suunto Mosquito and Cobra....they both switch between air and nitrox. Once you've used Nitrox that day, you can't put it in air mode anymore, but of course you can just set your O2 to 21% <smile>.

Honestly....I would consider it the other way around from what you stated Magellan.....I would look into using Nitrox for my first deeper dive (depth and mix appropriate of course). That's when you're likely to take on more nitrogen.

I'm not an expert or anything though....just a diver

Peace,
Cathie