Multigas Computer is backup plan?

[MonkSeal]

Depth gauge and bottom timer, and cut tables or run DOTF.

Since this is a DIR forum the original poster should modify poll to include the above.

 

[Jason Ooi]

From another Board, here's what the famous former Northeast Coast Wreck Diver (now transplanted to Arizona) Joel Silverstein uses:

He are great in tech dives

 

[Jason Ooi]

I know this is a DIR board,but since the comment appears here....
Joel is a great guy with a lot of experience,but I sure wouldn't recommend this computer considering the other computers out there. This is preprogrammed for certain depths,and when you cross that depth it makes the gas switch for you,therefore what would you do if for example you lost your 50/50 bottle. If dive computers were DIR (which we know they aren't) then the gas switchable ones would be since they'd allow you to handle contingencies like the lost 50/50 bottle.

You mean DIR allowed diver use multigas computer?

 

[roakey]

Moved from DIR since in that forum the 100% answer should have been "no multigas computer at all".

Roak

 

[karstdvr]

You mean DIR allowed diver use multigas computer?

It was a if and then statement. If they allowed dive computers then I would think the Cochran wouldn't be DIR.

 

[Jason Ooi]

Moved from DIR since in that forum the 100% answer should have been "no multigas computer at all".

Roak

Good job...Roak
Thanks

 

[JS1scuba]

From another Board, here's what the famous former Northeast Coast Wreck Diver (now transplanted to Arizona) Joel Silverstein uses:

Kev -- did not know i was famous -- but thanks.

Multi gas computers are an excellent tool. Mind you that I started out doing mixed gas diving running only Hamilton Research Tables back in the early 90s. This was long before multi gas and mixed gas computers were available. We would fly Beuchat Aladin Pro computers (air) or Beuchat Bottom timers or for that matter Princton Tectonic bottom timers for our stuff --- the air puters would beep and screech but its what we had.

Learning decompression from the table up is the way to go. However taking advantage of the technology and the tools today makes more sense than not. Granted its cheaper to fly a $200 timer than it is a $1400 mixed gas computer but then so is driving a chevy over a mercedes .....

I embraced multi gas computers right out of the box in the mid 90s. I understood the limitations but also the advantages. Today there is ZERO reason why a diver should not be taking advantage of the multi gas mixed gas, multi level features of a dive computer. Mind you I manufacture a decompression software product http://www.nautilisdiveplanner.com for the planning and execution of a dive but I also will fly dive computers on ALL my dives.

Why? It's simple. I understand decompression, i know how the units work, i know it can give me the credit or penalty for the actual dive I will be doing. It allows me to change my profile on the fly and give me accurate information. Can I do the dive without it ? Absolutely, after more than 2500 gas dives I kinda know what the profiles are, but I like the tool so i use it. I fly 2 EMC20Hs on all my gas dives. I fly EMC16s on my nitrox dives or air dives. (100 fsw and shallower-no-stop but repet) The EMC20s almost mirror NAUTILUS so i am very comfortable with them. Also i get accurate dive data recording.

If you are serious about doing gas dives, you need the following tools:

• Mixed Gas -Multi Gas Computer (2 is best) or (1 and a timer) (Cochran Preferred)
• NAUTILUS DIVE PLANNER software (its the most comprehensive) (plug here)
• Oxygen/Helium Analyzer (TDL TekCheck preferred)

Those three tools put you in the right ballpark if you want to play this game.

I have yet to find a diver who I put a dive computer on and take gas diving not say they want one. Some folks who claim they are not using puters.... are.

Just my 2 cents ---

 

[JS1scuba]

I know this is a DIR board,but since the comment appears here....
Joel is a great guy with a lot of experience,but I sure wouldn't recommend this computer considering the other computers out there. This is preprogrammed for certain depths,and when you cross that depth it makes the gas switch for you,therefore what would you do if for example you lost your 50/50 bottle. If dive computers were DIR (which we know they aren't) then the gas switchable ones would be since they'd allow you to handle contingencies like the lost 50/50 bottle.

Interesting question but if one is adhering to DIR then the possiblity of a gas lost just does not exist. Now -- all kidding aside.

In the event of a gas failure all you need to do is double the stop time. It's that simple. Or, flip to tables and go from there. But i must tell you in all honesty in more than 2500 gas dives I have never lost deco gas. That's not to say it cant happen but my experience shows that if you maintain your equipment well, manage your dive properly, carry the correct size tanks at regular fill pressures the probablity of gas loss is absolutley minimum.

Cheers
JDS

 

[karstdvr]

Interesting question but if one is adhering to DIR then the possiblity of a gas lost just does not exist. Now -- all kidding aside.

In the event of a gas failure all you need to do is double the stop time. It's that simple. Or, flip to tables and go from there. But i must tell you in all honesty in more than 2500 gas dives I have never lost deco gas. That's not to say it cant happen but my experience shows that if you maintain your equipment well, manage your dive properly, carry the correct size tanks at regular fill pressures the probablity of gas loss is absolutley minimum.

Cheers
JDS

Joel
I've seen somebody when diving Diepolder 3 drop their 50/50 bottle,and it went from 70' down to 180',and at that point it becomes a recovery dive on another trip. Like you said you can deco on the fly with tables at that point,or better yet if you have a gas switchable computer you can continue deco on your deeper nitrox mix until you get to your oxygen. I remember when the Cochrans first came out,and they were the best thing since sliced bread for those of us that used Bridges,and couldn't take advantage of the benefit of oxygen. I am not going to say they are a bad computer,but given that gas switchable computers have proven to be very successful,and ease of gas switch during deco,my preference would be for this type of computer. I've put approx 600 dives on Nitek 3,and quite a few on the HE model,and have been very satisfied. Thanks for your opinion,and keep up the great work on Nautilus-very good product!
Kelly

 

[JS1scuba]

The Nitek HE is a nice unit. But it has limitations, first being the tiny hard to read screen, the second being the extremely unforgiving algorithm. The shallow stops can be WAY too long and you are penalized heavily for deeper stops or slower ascents. But like all tools once you know how to use them you get used to limitations that sometimes become comfort zones.

I remember when switching from classic Hamilton (haldanean) models to the bubble model. The decompression was cut by almost 30% that caused me some angst at first, now it's just a shape of decompression I have grown to enjoy.

Sounds like your buddy needed some better clips on his stages !

Cheers
JDS