Newbie question re: units of measure.

[RS]

Hello,

This is probably a stupid question but, as Forrest Gump said...

I've been reviewing my AOW text and was wondering: Why hasn't the diving community (esp. DIR) adopted metric units? It seems the conversions between US standard and metric, while not TOO cumbersome, do create additional work which could be eliminated. The metric system is much simpler and user friendly, and happens to be the predominant system of measure throughout the world. And I can divide by 10 in my head all day long.

It seems ironic to me that the metric system units for depth and pressure correspond directly (nearly) to very common factors of great interest to the diving advocate yet aren't used:

10 meters = 1 ATM (.99) = 1 BAR (1.01) (OK, I guess the BAR isn't really metric).


Are US Standard Units in the diving industry mandated in law, convetion in chemistry, or just because standards are, well "standard"?

I've done a little (very little) "research" on the internet (wikepedia) into the development and definition of these standard units, and haven't found a correlation for the relationship between length and pressure. It appears to be coincedence.

FWIW, It's not my intent to "troll". I know there are some pretty smart and educated folks on this board who can clear this up and probably point out other items of interest.

Thanks in advance (and go easy if I'm wrong about something),

R

 

[H2Andy]

metric would be a lot easier

but US divers aren't used to metric. try teaching metric as a pre-requisite for diving certification!

oy vey

 

[WVDiver]

Americans want the rest of the world to convert to standard measurements. We (americans) are hard headed and unconforming. That's why we haven't converted. It has been tried over the years to teach us in the school systems but has it never happened. It would be easier but I don't think we will see it happen in the diving industry or anywhere else for many decades.

 

[Tigerman]

Rather than trying to teach metric to the americans, Ive just settled with using my conversion program on the cellphone and sites like this one: http://www.unit-conversion.info/

The ATM vs BAR difference is normally considered neglectable

 

[Walter]

It seems the conversions between US standard and metric, while not TOO cumbersome, do create additional work which could be eliminated.

There's no reason to covert from one system to the other. Either work entirely in Imperial or entirely in metric. Your problem is solved. Why does anyone care what system someone else uses?

 

[AXL72]

yes.......what walter just said......with high emphasis on the oy vey from andy.


back in the 90's...the illinois department of transpotation was trying to convert all drawing standards and contract information (including construction drawings) to metric. I believe they failed. If someone knows better, let me know. However, I think there was a big push by all state highway agencies to switch to metric.

Big oy vey when civil engineering majors and construction management majors are still being tought on the imperial system in colleges

1. KISS....leave imperial alone....u have the option of ordering all metric gauges or all imperial gauges
2. If it ain't broke...don't go spending good hard earned money trying to fix it. Bottom line, someone has to pay for the effort. Switching to metric does not constitute a charity-tax-free effort...although it would consitute as overhead deduction on taxes.

 

[pir8]

metric would be a lot easier

but US divers aren't used to metric. try teaching metric as a pre-requisite for diving certification!

oy vey

This is the real reason

 

[Saskia]

it doesn't really matter what someone else uses, as long as you know what you're buddy is using! Though i have to say metric is easier, but then again, i was taught in metric....being european and all when i was reading my nitrox books, man was i glad they did it in both feet and meters!! geez, waaay to much converting with feet! the 10 meters to a bar is much easier then 33 feet to a bar
I also agree with the stubborness of the americans, but the english had the same problem, i remember a few years ago when the government decided to go metric, everyone was on the streets chanting "save the pound, save the pound!" it was hopelessy pointless!

 

[Tigerman]

There's no reason to covert from one system to the other. Either work entirely in Imperial or entirely in metric. Your problem is solved. Why does anyone care what system someone else uses?

Do you use metric or imperial yourself?
If you use imperial and I say Im on 28,5 meters with 67 BAR, do you automatically know how deep that is and how many PSI of air I have?

Thats why I need to convert figures, because when people here post feet and PSI, I tend to reply with the same system, out of respect for the poster. I also realize that Im on an american board where most users use imperial and not metric, so the polite thing to do is to also make my own posts/threads in measures that most of the people on the board can relate to without having to do the conversions themselves.

 

[Tigerman]

For those who didnt bother to do the conversions themselves: If im at 28,5 meters with 67 BAR that means im at 93.5 feet with 972 PSI of air.
I wouldnt want to do that...