Questions About Certification Test

[DiveLabby]

I did a beginners dive while on a cruise last year and LOVED it. I am going on another cruise in June and am planning on 2 more beginner dives. Last week I went to a local dive shop and took an Intro To Scuba (a couple hour instruction) so I would feel more comfortable on these vacation dives. I really enjoyed my dive last year and am thinking about signing up for the classes to get my certification (they do SSI certification). I saw a card with dive tables on it and these dive tables look confusing. My questions are:

1- The dive tables look difficult. Is there a simple way someone can explain them to me?
2- Are there a lot of questions on the written part of the test pertaining to these dive tables?
3- Is the written part of the test hard?

Thank you in advance for your help!

 

[scubamickey]

1) Your instructor will teach you how to use the tables. Besides, it comes with an instruction booklet-which is how I learned. Really easy.

2) As I recall, there are about 10

3) The test, for me, was easy. I've never heard anyone say it was hard, though.

 

[UnixSage]

1- The dive tables look difficult. Is there a simple way someone can explain them to me?

If you only got a glance at the tables then they can look complex. But just like any other table (milage between cities on a map for example) they are simple to use. Some of the numbers and concepts that the table yields are new also adding to the "confusion" factor. Every thing will be explained to you and you are not the first person to think that tables are complex and you will not be the last.

There is a tutor available for download the unregisterd version allows for simple profile questions if you register it it bosts over 1 million questions.
http://www.scubatoys.com/tables.exe

Good luck

 

[Matsya]

The tables only LOOK complicated. Once your Instructor teaches you how to use them, they are very easy to use. No complicated arithmetic is involved. You will basically be looking at depths and the related maximum no decompression time limits, residual nitrogen expressed in time and surface intervals. Once you know how the tables are very easy to use.
Don't worry about the questions on the test. Once you learn to use the table the questions are very easy to anwer.

 

[rongoodman]

The PADI test was pretty easy. There were several questions from the tables.

 

[DiveMaven]

The SSI shop we have in our area doesn't even teach tables. They strap a Suunto computer onto all their OW students and teach that, saying that tables are obsolete.

 

[Paco]

PADI also has an electronic dive planner (ERDP) which they allow for use on their test. I'm not crazy about it, but it may make it easier for some.

 

[BrianS]

What do they teach for when their computers malfunction?

The SSI shop we have in our area doesn't even teach tables. They strap a Suunto computer onto all their OW students and teach that, saying that tables are obsolete.

 

[dive_lover88]

Use another computer?

Seriously...tables are my failsafe line...i never dive without having my tables as my backup onshore.

Darren

 

[Doc]

When your computer poops out, technically, you are already dead.

So, you're telling me, that you'll revert back to tables. If you are diving like the most of us, the table will tell you to sit in a hammock for 24 hours. Try and be serious.

My dive buddy religiously works the tables for her (now 250th) dives. During a week long dive trip, by Tuesday, she looks up at me and says, "I'm dead!" (Her computer says: go dive!)

PADI Electronic Repetitive Dive Tables (ERDP) is one step closer to the quandry that all instructors face. No two computers work alike, none display the same, etc. It would be hard if not impossible to teach a class that would explain how to use a specific piece of exotica such as a dive computer. Sure- there are similarities, and maybe that's why PADI clings to teaching the tables. That's also probably why they have gone to the Electronic. It's like a calculator for doing math. All you need is the concept and you're good to go.

The Wheel? Hell if I know. It does explain how computers work, I 'spose.