Is a super computer needed for gas switching?

Please register or login

Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions.

Benefits of registering include

  • Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions.
  • A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world.
  • You can make this box go away

Joining is quick and easy. Log in or Register now!

Sorry to flog a dead horse, as this has already been covered by TS&M and Sat Diver, but I can think of instances where you could wind up in trouble that way. (for eg a backgas post leak)

Plus, the transmitters on the Sol aren't sending the pressure info fast enough to make this a reliable indication at the switch depth. They're no replacement for a visual check of what you're ABOUT to breath BEFORE you stick a reg in your mouth.
 
The only way you know if you are on the right gas is to trace the regulator to the tank, and verify the pressure drop on that tank when you purge that regulator. AND you have your team confirm it. People die from oxygen toxicity from switching to the wrong gas . . . as recently as last year it happened. In that case, the diver switched to the tank he wanted to use and confirmed it was that tank -- but it wasn't HIS tank, it was his buddy's, and it wasn't the gas he thought he was breathing.

I agree with knowing it is the right tank.

However, are you not getting a drop in pressure by breathing through the reg.

What's nice about the Sol, when you use multiple transmitters, is that you DO see the drop in pressure as you use each reg., so Yes you do know which reg. that you are using. Of course, you MUST know that 2nd stage is connected to the correct 1st stage and that 1st stage to the correct bottle.

When I use high mixes of O2, that reg. is pressurized then turned off so I have to activate the gas to use it.

I guess your example is a testimonial to solo diving.
 
Plus, the transmitters on the Sol aren't sending the pressure info fast enough to make this a reliable indication at the switch depth.
Wrong!

Have you used a Sol and done gas switching with it?
 
All that goes right out the window the moment that computer stops working. So why even other with it?
 
You are correct - you can usually tell what algorithm a computer uses by just knowing its brand. Suunto, Mares uses a version of RBGM. Some oceanic computers use their "Dual algorithm" where you can choose the DSAT basis (PADI RDP), OR Z+, which is their version of Buhlmann ZHL-16C. Most of the 'tech' computers (shearwater predator, Dive Rite NitekQ, even the Liquivision X1\Xeo can utilize Buhlmann-16C, with the option to enter "gradient factors", which I imagine Deco for Divers talks about.

Like others have said, theres a reason its called decompression theory. I love reading about it too, from what I read, Deco for Divers delivers the info at a understandable level for recreational divers - if you want a bit more in depth (but still easy to swallow) answers to your nitrox questions, decompression algorithms, and some more in depth medical studies on bubble formation and how it affects you (included with pictures of the Doppler scan describing what you are seeing), I recommend looking into "Deeper into diving, 2nd edition", DAN helped with its publishing and its a wealth of diving related knowledge. It was hard to find, and there wasn't much information on it to begin with, but its an awesome read.

So they don't all use the same algorithm, eh?

Now that I'm reading about deep stops and bubble theory, I'm guessing my Mares Puck has a pretty up-to-date algorithm. It has deep stops.

I'm not sure whether it's deep stops are denoted differently from shallower decompression stops.

On the other hand, presumably I'll never need to do either, since I won't be doing decompression diving (in the near future).
 
It's tough to get into a really hypoxic situation on open circuit scuba. It can be done, but fatalities from that are exceedingly rare.

I think the last one I heard of involved a diver switching from a travel gas to a bottle of helium at depth. Iirc, she didn't check her valves or analyze, which lead to her not discovering that the isolator was closed during filling. I'm pretty sure she lived through it, however.

I think in SCUBA the bigger worry would be breathing a hyperoxic mix at depth.
 
I have just been informed by PM that I am not welcome on this forum because I lack the requisite experience.

If that's the policy, then I suggest something to this effect be included in the forum title.

It seems to me that a question about gas switching is in the realm of technical diving. So I chose this forum as the most logical place to post it.

In any case, I'll unsubscribe from this thread and stay out of this forum until I am considered to be worthy of associating with its exalted members.
 
Wrong!

Have you used a Sol and done gas switching with it?

Yes, many times. It takes a few breaths and a short delay to get the drop indicated so I always use the visual check, plus all my tanks are backed up by an SPG that allows a very rapid drop to registered by turning the gas back on, off, take a breath and watch the needle drop instantly. Having confirmed it's the right the tank and regulator for the depth, I turn the valve back on and continue.
 
I have just been informed by PM that I am not welcome on this forum because I lack the requisite experience.

If that's the policy, then I suggest something to this effect be included in the forum title.

It seems to me that a question about gas switching is in the realm of technical diving. So I chose this forum as the most logical place to post it.

In any case, I'll unsubscribe from this thread and stay out of this forum until I am considered to be worthy of associating with its exalted members.


I don't think it's your question, I think it must be this (from your profile):

Dives 0 - 24
 

Back
Top Bottom