Question- Computers and Padi Dive Logs

[jstuart1]

I am curious how you log your dives when diving with a computer. Currently I use my computer mostly as a bottom timer, pressure gauge and ascent speedometer. When I log my dives, I use this info for finding my pressure groups on the RDP. This has worked fine for me until now. My dives have until this weekend pretty much been 30 ft or less for 30-35 min, 2 dives in a day once a week. Saturday after my 1st dive I was a J then after the surface interval, I was a D. After the second dive I was an O. My max depth was 37 ft with average depth of 25. Max bottom time 49 min.

Now that I am getting more relaxed my bottom time is beginning to get longer and on Nov 14th I am going on a cruise and have 3 2 tank dives planned. Since these dives will most likely be deeper and longer than I have done so far other than during AOW I am concerned that I will reach the limits of the RDP while still being within the computer NDL limits. Do you guys/ ladies still log pressure groups from the RDP when using your computer? I haven't learned how to do multilevel or the wheel yet. So essentially I am diving the table.

Hope this makes sense.
Judy

Thanks
Judy

 

[theskull]

Your message makes perfect sense, and is a common concern. You have a couple choices:
1. Continue to dive the tables (boring), which won't make much difference if you are making square dive profiles.
2. Dive the computer, and just make a note in your dive log "computer dive" when you exceed the NDL from the tables but the computer says you are OK. This will happen often on multi-level dives. (ex. 10 min. @ 90 ft., 20 min. @ 40 ft., 30 min. @ 20 ft.--which is a great dive profile, but is outside the limits of the table.)

Have fun and dive safe,
theskull

 

[jbd]

I have done the same and seen others that just "write computer dive" as the skull mentioned.

 

[The Kraken]

One LARGE mistake - becoming more comfortable DOES NOT INCREASE YOUR BOTTOM TIME !!!!

Becoming more comfortable reduces your SAC rate giving you more breathing gas at a certain depth over a certain period of time.

Your bottom time is determined by your dive tables.

Your computer is probably working with an algorithm that is very close to dive tables. Your computer is averaging the depths of your dive and giving you a more detailed picture of the profile of your dive as far as depth goes.

Do not exceed the limits as set into your computer then use your tables to compute your pressure group.

Many computers will allow you to do a "what if" scenario for your next dive. Upon ascent to the boat, go into your dive planning mode for the depth of your next dive. Given that you have earned no SI time the computer will give you the maximum time at your desired depth for your next dive. You can take this number and back into the tables to determine your current pressure group.

 

[jstuart1]

One LARGE mistake - becoming more comfortable DOES NOT INCREASE YOUR BOTTOM TIME !!!!

Kracken,
I agree with you. I didn't mean that my bottom time increased because I was more comfortable in the manor that you percieved it. My dives have been til now <30ft for no more than 35 min. Not because of table limitations or the computer but becuase I chose that time to end the dive for various reasons. I am now ready to begin increasing my bottom time at similar depth WELL WITHIN the LIMITS of the computer and/ or tables.

Your bottom time is determined by your dive tables.

I agree wholeheartedly. I can see how my question could have been misinterpreted so thank you for pointing it out.

Do not exceed the limits as set into your computer then use your tables to compute your pressure group.

Again agreed. I have not come close to the limits of the computer so far. My profiles primarily look like this: 10min @ 30ft then 20-25 min at 17-20ft. In fact I don't intend to go out of the green or even within 1 mark of the green for several reasons.

Many computers will allow you to do a "what if" scenario for your next dive. Upon ascent to the boat, go into your dive planning mode for the depth of your next dive. Given that you have earned no SI time the computer will give you the maximum time at your desired depth for your next dive. You can take this number and back into the tables to determine your current pressure group.

Thanks for the information and your advice. I will try it out.

 

[The Kraken]

J, just didn't want you to become a statistic, Buddy !!!

 

[The Kraken]

Am I correct in assuming your pooter is air intergrated?

I really enjoy the way the AI pooters can extend dive time by depth sampling and recalculating the NDL time of the dive.

 

[jstuart1]

Am I correct in assuming your pooter is air intergrated?

I really enjoy the way the AI pooters can extend dive time by depth sampling and recalculating the NDL time of the dive.

Kracken,
First of all thanks for looking out for me. No I am not air integrated yet but for the money I spent on 2 computers to get what I wanted I sure could be. Maybe next year for Christmass or my birthday.

 

[Lead_carrier]

One LARGE mistake - becoming more comfortable DOES NOT INCREASE YOUR BOTTOM TIME !!!!

Becoming more comfortable reduces your SAC rate giving you more breathing gas at a certain depth over a certain period of time.

Your bottom time is determined by your dive tables.

QUOTE]

Actually Kracken, you are the one that is making a partial mistake. Being more comfortable usually does make your SAC better thusly increasing your bottom time.. it does not increase your No Decompression Limits as defined by the dive tables. Bottom time is determined by the amount of time that you are diving. No Decompression Limits are determined on paper.

 

[The Kraken]

I suppose you're right. It's a matter of semantics. All in the reading.

J, I stand corrected.

D