Running time or stop time - which do you use for deco dives?

[Scared Silly]

I am kinda curious to know what people use when they have generated a table and using it for their deco. I have used a running time - off the bottom at X, first stop at Y minutes, second stop at Z minutes. I have also used stop time as well, off the bottom at X, first stop for A minutes, second stop for B minutes.

The problem is using a running time is that on several dives we left the bottom a bit early so I had to subtract a couple of minutes off the running times but then we ascended a bit slower so then I was adding time back in. So I was adjusting several times.

With using a stop time. I have looked my watch added the stop time in and said okay I leave at C minutes. Then promptly zoned out during the longer stops and 5 minutes latter gone - was that D minutes or was it C minutes that I leave. To get around this I am writting my leave time down. However, I have thought that it would be nice to have a count down timer which I believe only Suunto's D3 has.

I ask because I have an old analog depth/digital bottomtimer that works fine as my back up. But I am thinking about another backup for when it finally dies. For the price of the D3 you can pretty much get a second computer and just use it in guage mode.

So I am currious to which system people use and their views of the pros and cons.

 

[wreckchick]

There's always the option of a computer in gauge mode/bottom timer plus a watch to time stops while the computer is tracking TRT.

Just a thought.

R

 

[Rick Murchison]

Depends on the dive. I tend to use stop times when there are just a few stops and my bottom time may vary a bit - typical in the Florida caves I frequent. On dives with quite a few deep short stops as well as the shallower ones I tend to use run times. But I'm flexible (some may say wishy-washy) on this particular issue and use whatever I feel like using, really
Rick

 

[Cave Diver]

Stop times.

Tables are cut with target depth and bottom times and then contingency tables +/- depth and +/- runtime.

Time for each stop is written and followed. Gradual ascent to next stop is started with approx 30 seconds remaining.

I prefer stop times because there is less chance in making a calculation error.

 

[martini_effect]

I use runtime.
if I leave the bottom early and get to the first stop early then I just merge it in with the plan ie wait at the first stop until the runtime says to go to the next stop.

this works well on deep wall dives as you have something to look at while you're waiting, and why not stay there if you are within the plan?...otherwise if you're just hanging on a line and dont want to wait then change all your runtimes on your slate (you'll have plenty of time) to account for the early arrival.

if I'm late off the bottom I have a +5min contingency plan so I can continue on runtime just following the new plan.

if I'm on time leaving the bottom but slow in ascending to the first stop (for example 2 mins late) then I just change all the runtimes on my slate to whatever they were + 2 with a pencil.

I thinkk the zoning out factor is definitely a problem with stop times especially if the dive goes slightly differently to the plan...thats why physically changing things on a slate helps you out

also a computer like the Suunto stinger (in gauge mode only) has a button you can press which zeros the time display and starts counting your stop in seconds, so you could use that every time you get to a stop. (the total dive time is still displayed in the corner)
just a few thoughts

 

[limeyx]

I am kinda curious to know what people use when they have generated a table and using it for their deco. I have used a running time - off the bottom at X, first stop at Y minutes, second stop at Z minutes. I have also used stop time as well, off the bottom at X, first stop for A minutes, second stop for B minutes.

The problem is using a running time is that on several dives we left the bottom a bit early so I had to subtract a couple of minutes off the running times but then we ascended a bit slower so then I was adding time back in. So I was adjusting several times.

With using a stop time. I have looked my watch added the stop time in and said okay I leave at C minutes. Then promptly zoned out during the longer stops and 5 minutes latter gone - was that D minutes or was it C minutes that I leave. To get around this I am writting my leave time down. However, I have thought that it would be nice to have a count down timer which I believe only Suunto's D3 has.

I ask because I have an old analog depth/digital bottomtimer that works fine as my back up. But I am thinking about another backup for when it finally dies. For the price of the D3 you can pretty much get a second computer and just use it in guage mode.

So I am currious to which system people use and their views of the pros and cons.

Stop times. Put them in your head, as well as stops for +/- 5min, +/10 10 feet.
Don't zone out on the ascent.
If you *do* zone out, hope your buddy(ies) dont.

 

[Rick Inman]

For the very few deco dives I have done (six), I have used run time, as per my instructor. With run time, I know I'm on the plan, or on the contingency plan, as the bottom timer will line up with the run time. I do the "wait and catch up" plan if a couple mins early, as stated by martini_effect.

 

[grazie42]

I write both RT and stoptime on my slate. I´ll also write the depth were off-gasing starts.

If I get to the first stop early (and don´t feel like hanging around) I´ll just follow the stoptimes and move on up.

I do memorize stoptimes before the dive.

 

[CD_in_Chitown]

I use stop times and reconcile at surface to see if I hit the mark for TRT. I target leaving the bottom a minute early and catch it back on the ascent when all goes well.

 

[do it easy]

I use stop times.

I dove with a guy who used runtimes, and if he was getting behind on his runtimes, he would add the time back in on his last stop. The reason was to account for the extra time that he spent at depth. For example, if he got behind and was 2 minutes late to his 20' stop, he would extend his stop by 2 minutes and leave 4 minutes later than planned.