Rental computers and newer divers

[LI-er]

Kudos to you for picking up insta-buddies

I am not that noble and got a solo cert so I could avoid having to worry about other divers

And the liability that goes along with it, and I'm not just talking about a potentially ruined/shorter dive, but also the legal aspects that can come into play if things don't go well for the instabuddy, even if no fault of your own.

A few random comments that came to mind when reading this thread about rental computers.

Didn't see it mentioned but other problems may arise: a rental computer may have residual data from another diver thus shorting your NDL dive time. If the diver goes out with different Ops during a multi-day vacation they will be unable to track their Nitrogen load.

I have seen many divers having issues with rental computers and helpful crew unable to figure out the menus to get them set correctly. Or (slightly unrelated), a diver has no computer or their only computer doesn't work, or they just bought it and didn't bother to figure out how to operate it prior to the trip.

Doing a Google search isn't always possible if you're in a remote location with no internet.

I see nothing wrong with asking the dive shop how to set the Nitrox blend rather than going to the trouble to Google it, then trying to read a pdf on a small smartphone screen, and quite often there's a lot going on in the short period of time before getting ready to splash.

I dive with an earlier model Oceanic VT pro. They're no longer serviced so I think of them as disposable. At about $75 to pick one up used, I've got about a half a dozen, I always dive with 2 and have an extra in the parts bag. They're incredibly easy to use, they have the same algorithms as the newer models, large, basic and easy to read screens, they're reliable, user replaceable battery, same transmitter as many other newer computers, they're wrist mounted AI and the Oceanic Versa Pro is the same exact compute without AI. At these prices there is no reason not to have a computer. When did a 3 day livaboard trip in Australia on the GBC, since it was a long trip and gear was included, we only brought our masks and computers- and Ocean Encounters had no problems with us attaching our transmitters to their first stage regulators. But even if they had refused, as did an Op to a diver earlier in this thread, obviously the computers can still be used for all the other functions sans the AI.

 

[Youssef]

Computer should be one of your very first purchases. Will save your life, many places dont require you to have one and only rely on the instructor/guide’s computer, and there’s usually an extra charge to rent it that’s separate than a ‘full kit’ rental. As a beginner it also makes you ‘feel’ like a diver more than any other piece of equipment.

 

[Still Kicking]

Renting any unknown computer makes you on a way to accidental death. You do not know what it says where on the display.

That's a little bit of hyperbole, in my opinion.

I have used a bunch of different computers from different brands and manufacturers and underwater they all show depth, time, NDL. What else do you really need to know?

Settings on the surface can be a little tricky with some brands, but you have time to figure those out and hopefully an internet link to a manual etc.

If you can't figure what's what right away on the dive screen underwater, it's a very odd computer.

 

[boulderjohn]

That's a little bit of hyperbole, in my opinion.

I have used a bunch of different computers from different brands and manufacturers and underwater they all show depth, time, NDL. What else do you really need to know?

Settings on the surface can be a little tricky with some brands, but you have time to figure those out and hopefully an internet link to a manual etc.

If you can't figure what's what right away on the dive screen underwater, it's a very odd computer.

In my original post, I note that the diver violated NDLs and had no idea what to do with the new information he was seeing. When I saw what was going on and looked at his computer, I had to tell him where to stay and for how long.

 

[dmaziuk]

Word Perfect Helpline

 

[BoltSnap]

Word Perfect Helpline

Lol, best post before I go to bed now.

 

[smashweights]

As a new diver, this thread is a great reminder to take my dive computer on my upcoming cruise so I can dive with it. Thanks!

 

[Valeriy_Kulaha]

At the end of the day, the diver is responsible for his/her own safety. We all carry high-powered computers in our pockets, aka cell phones, that would easily show anyone (including foreign divers speaking a different language) how to set their percentages with a quick Google search. It was irresponsible of Buddy #3 to ignore this very basic requirement --- ESPECIALLY for NDL dive at 110' with two strangers that he met 30 mins prior.

The dive shop renting the gear should have confirmed with the diver that he knew how to set the mix, but I disagree with the notion that they should have set the mix FOR HIM. You are opening up yourself to liability.....it is the same reason I won't analyze people's mixes for them. That is on you. You are certified, you should know the process, and if you don't -- you have no business diving.

Just my two pennies, as someone who hands rental gear to people on a weekly basis.

So says the condom salesman - I don't have to know all my customer's favorite Kamasutras...

 

[Valeriy_Kulaha]

I have long argued that shops that sell computers should offer a class on how to use them, either included in the price of the computer or at a minimal charge. The camera shop where I have bought most of my camera equipment over the years offers such classes on how to use the features of the cameras they sell.

I am sure Youtube must have a video showing how to use the computer. They should probably give renters or purchasers a link to the basic functions of the computer.

Years ago I was surfacing from a dive in New Mexico and another diver who was in our group surfaced soon after, saying that his computer was acting strange, giving readings he had never seen before. I immediately realized he was in deco and took him down to safety stop depth for an extended stay. It was his computer, and he had no idea what it looked like once you violated NDL.

It's called split personality disorder - the diver and his computer had different sort beer preferences after the dive.

 

[Bento.Box]

A terrible example is the Suunto Zoop Novo. Out shop rents these and I have to get out the manual or a demo app on my phone to set it for Nitrox.

100% agree.

Every time I dive Nitrox (which is only occasionally on holidays and backmount), I have to look up in the manual how to set the mixture because I forgot. It's my secondary computer.

But I would not forget to go through the dive briefing in my head and the predive setup.