Sharing a dive computer....
- Thread starter Max Speed
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Heath Sapp
Contributor
:whack: I hope this helps
DevonDiver
N/A
I don't think that 20 dives (or even 10x that figure) is sufficient sample size to warrant over-riding the diving protocols recommended by every major scuba agency.
That's still very definitely an experience level where you should be following the recommendations and accepting that you've not yet encountered sufficient scenarios to have a full understanding of the implications behind this advice.
There's nothing wrong with questioning protocols - that's how we learn. But to disregard them should take a great deal of proven confidence in your assumptions - and that isn't something you get from a few weekends worth of diving.
That's still very definitely an experience level where you should be following the recommendations and accepting that you've not yet encountered sufficient scenarios to have a full understanding of the implications behind this advice.
There's nothing wrong with questioning protocols - that's how we learn. But to disregard them should take a great deal of proven confidence in your assumptions - and that isn't something you get from a few weekends worth of diving.
Bad idea for many reasons. Nuff said.......
Tristan.ak
Contributor
If the op is going to be that cheap, then go to wal-mart or some cheap'o shop and get a casino g series digital watch with a stop watch function and dive tables. Then a depth gauge for your wrist. The second option is a cheap dive computer.
The dive industry says no to sharing computers as stated by everyone so far. The reasoning is simple, its a LIFE support system. Not some barbie toy that little girls and boys play with. I have a dive computer that I picked up for 200$ and I use it in gauge mode for tables. I love tables, its a great skill to have, but im not going to share my timer/computer since its my life support system.
The dive industry says no to sharing computers as stated by everyone so far. The reasoning is simple, its a LIFE support system. Not some barbie toy that little girls and boys play with. I have a dive computer that I picked up for 200$ and I use it in gauge mode for tables. I love tables, its a great skill to have, but im not going to share my timer/computer since its my life support system.
I think the op is only saying that based on his limited number of dives and experience- he and his wife dive close together and that "if they needed to" they could share a computer. I dont think he said he was going to dive this way. Why would anyone want to have to try to stay that close- that would be annoying and distracting, not mention- what if someone decides to sit out a dive or a day- then someone has an inaccurate cumulative log. I hope the op has the sense to not rely on one computer- he owes it to his dive buddy to be safe. Then again- maybe he is trying "off" her 
.
.
The only time I've actually "shared" another's computer was out of "necessity". I was in Australia, last dive of the day, and I had my computer clipped to my BC. I got almost to the bottom and checked it and it wasn't there! We had dropped off dingy over sandy bottom before swimming towards a pinnacle. I swam back out over sand did a brief search pattern to no avail. returned to buddies and completed the dive always above them. I tried to explain I'd lost my computer, to no avail. Dive was uneventful and I explained when we returned to the boat which answered all their questions as to why I was diving differently (more conservatively) than all other dives.
The good news was it had dropped off my BC before my back roll from the dingy and was returned to me by the staff on board.
Aborting the dive would have been an option, but a once in a lifetime trip to the GBR and last dive of the day I decided to be a smart diver and enjoy the dive even without the computer.
TC
The good news was it had dropped off my BC before my back roll from the dingy and was returned to me by the staff on board.
Aborting the dive would have been an option, but a once in a lifetime trip to the GBR and last dive of the day I decided to be a smart diver and enjoy the dive even without the computer.
TC
Official answer: If you share dive computers you will die in horrible and terrifying agony and should never do this.
Real answer: Yeah, you'll probably be fine, but just be aware that if it craps out it will really ruin your vacation.
Real answer: Yeah, you'll probably be fine, but just be aware that if it craps out it will really ruin your vacation.
My short answer is...it depends. For contingency, I would. For normal diving, no.
If I get somewhere and my computer craps out I would have no problem doing so as I always dive with an additional time keeping device (watch) and a depth gauge and carry tables with my diving equipment. Having said that, I would ensure that I plan and execute my dive(s) accordingly..ie plan the dive using the tables (to give me the numbers) and then be a cling-on to my diving partner (not so with Insta-buddies though). BTW, this works if you are on the same diving schedule (like a diving trip somewhere) and dive with the same partner.
I always carry dive tables in various shape or forms which I would use and rely on these numbers for dive planning. I could rely on these for the dive should I become separated from my diving buddy. Recreational dive...that should be no problem whatsoever as if we were within NDL before separation and we follow the procedure I should still be within NDL when I surface as I or my regular diving buddies never attempt to stretch our dive into the last minute of NDL before coming up.
More advanced dives requiring deco...I dive with two computers (one in gauge mode) and a watch. If my main one was to fail, I would still have my two independent time pieces and redundant depth gauge. The profiles are normally square and based on tables and timings. Here again, follow the dive profile and the planned deco schedule. If in doubt, dive the more conservative profile in the team.
The thing to remember is the computer is a tool and not a crutch. It is there to assist me and not something I depend on. When I started diving, technology was far from being what it is today. I dove with a horse collar, tank back pack, no SPG (good old J valve) and no computer.
Do I use technology...sure. Can I still practice this hobby of mine if some of those tools craps out...you bet.
If I get somewhere and my computer craps out I would have no problem doing so as I always dive with an additional time keeping device (watch) and a depth gauge and carry tables with my diving equipment. Having said that, I would ensure that I plan and execute my dive(s) accordingly..ie plan the dive using the tables (to give me the numbers) and then be a cling-on to my diving partner (not so with Insta-buddies though). BTW, this works if you are on the same diving schedule (like a diving trip somewhere) and dive with the same partner.
I always carry dive tables in various shape or forms which I would use and rely on these numbers for dive planning. I could rely on these for the dive should I become separated from my diving buddy. Recreational dive...that should be no problem whatsoever as if we were within NDL before separation and we follow the procedure I should still be within NDL when I surface as I or my regular diving buddies never attempt to stretch our dive into the last minute of NDL before coming up.
More advanced dives requiring deco...I dive with two computers (one in gauge mode) and a watch. If my main one was to fail, I would still have my two independent time pieces and redundant depth gauge. The profiles are normally square and based on tables and timings. Here again, follow the dive profile and the planned deco schedule. If in doubt, dive the more conservative profile in the team.
The thing to remember is the computer is a tool and not a crutch. It is there to assist me and not something I depend on. When I started diving, technology was far from being what it is today. I dove with a horse collar, tank back pack, no SPG (good old J valve) and no computer.
Do I use technology...sure. Can I still practice this hobby of mine if some of those tools craps out...you bet.
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