Sharing a Dive Computer

[halocline]

Any new diver or for that matter any diver who trusts a DM to plan their dives regardless of the profile is a fool or needs more training.

I wasn't advocating this, just saying that it happens all the time. And not just with divers that have no computer. The other side of the coin is that it's certainly possible to follow a DM on a guided dive and still take responsibility for your own safety.

I just think it's inaccurate to say in all cases that computer sharing is a dangerous practice. There are plenty of dives where the planned profile is well within NDL, not even close, and in those cases divers that are sharing a computer are not at any more risk than the same two divers diving the same profile with their own computers, provided that they have the skills to adhere to the planned dive.

 

[The Chairman]

Netdoc and your buddies who gave you thanks are you going to accept full liability for encouraging new divers to share a dive computer.

As much as you will accept full liability for encouraging new divers to dive. What a lame demand replete with replete with misleading vividness.

 

[Damselfish]

I agree it's not desirable to share a computer. How bad it is depends on the dives, the people, the computer. It's certainly less dangerous than some of the stupid tricks I've heard, like the people who bring spare computers and start using a new one when they bend the first one, or go into deco because they have no clue what their computer is telling them. If you have the buoyancy control and awareness to really stick with your buddy and keep the computer same depth or deeper all the time, and you're using a conservative computer like the Gekko, and aren't near pushing NDLs - it's pretty low risk even though few will recommend it. Opposite scenario where you're diving more aggressively and don't have your act together, you're more likely to get into trouble.

I will point out something that I don't think has been said so far. A computer should make your typical tropical diving more convenient and give you more flexibility, and you lose some of that when sharing. It may also get you more bottom time, and you could lose some of that when playing this game too. Keeping the same depth or the computer always deeper is one thing - and it's going to be less relaxing as a new diver if you're constantly thinking about this rather than watching the fish, and annoying when one of you wants to duck down for a bit and peek under that interesting ledge. But what if you don't even do all your dives together? I dive with my husband most of the time. But during a trip there will almost always be times where one of us doesn't go and the other person dives with someone else. (Stuffed up, ear problems, tired, too lazy to do a night dive, whatever.) Or times where we both dive with someone else for at least part of a dive - sometimes you get to know the folks on your boat and buddy swapping is convenient due to differing air consumption.

You also lose the redundancy of the second computer, and the sanity check a second computer can provide, and the redundancy of having 2 people keeping an eye on their computers (or are you so glued together you're both watching the one? That will be a pretty annoying way to dive.)

My take is, if you can spring for a trip to Belize, spring for another $300 to buy a second computer or rent one, for practical reasons if nothing else. I would only get a Nitrox computer if buying new, but you can probably pick up a used air computer for peanuts.

 

[syntaxerrorsix]

The least harmful advise here so far appears to be that you really don't need a computer because you are nowhere near NDL's and you have a known bottom and time with great buoyancy and team diving skills, of course then you may share one computer because you have effectively eliminated the need for it.

You guys should start up a web forum to discuss the merits of such in depth topics.

Brilliant.

 

[NCadiver]

As much as you will accept full liability for encouraging new divers to dive. What a lame demand replete with replete with misleading vividness.

I do accept the liability for encouraging the thousand of new diver I help certify to go out and dive with in the experience level they were trained for.

All you had to do was say yes or no then give your comments not avoid the question which say no you don't accept the liability for the advice you gave.

 

[Mike Boswell]

If you guys will promise to quit fighting, I WILL BUY oddible (the OP - remember him?) a damn computer.

 

[syntaxerrorsix]

If you guys will promise to quit fighting, I WILL BUY oddible (the OP - remember him?) a damn computer.

You're an outstanding individual.

I do believe the OP acquired a second computer however.

 

[NCadiver]

If oddible had not bought a computer I would have loan him one of my old computer if he did not want to rent one.

 

[syntaxerrorsix]

If oddible had not bought a computer I would have loan him one of my old old computer if he did not want to rent one.

This is also an acceptable means of promoting dive safety as opposed to justifying the possibility of increased risk by assuming the dive profile will fall within arbitrarily "safe" parameters for divers with unverified skill sets.

 

[mselenaous]

They are saying not to share. And, funny timing on this, PADI just changed their course to be computer only. Dive tables are out now.

Sorry Herk_Man, not true. PADI did just add to the OW Course as OPTIONAL the "How to Use and Choose Dive Computers" Crew-Pak. The instructor may still choose to issue/use crew-paks that include RDP tables only, or e-RDPs only, or this computer version.

If you are not a PADI Instructor, have not attented a recent instructor's update, or kept up with the updates disseminated on the PADI Pro site, then maybe refraining from making blanket statements until you have verified the information, will make your comments more credible.