What? a computer?

[waterduck]

Ok,to start,I am an old geezer at 68 years old and recently took diving back up after being out of it for over 30 years. While diving in our backyard pond yesterday with practicaly zero vizability,I couldn't even read what my new fangled computer was trying to tell me. The thought came to my mind while bubbling nasty words into my regulator and thinking how simple things used to be.So I have to ask. Does anybody still use the old dive watch,depth guage and dive tables ? This should be a poll huh?

 

[sealark]

Hey old guy I'm 72 and still dive a lot. Do yourself a favor. Get nitrox certified stay at or shallower than 80 feet use 32% nitrox and use air tables. If you use a computer dial in 25% using 32%. You will most likely have more worry free diving.

 

[Lorenzoid]

So I have to ask. Does anybody still use the old dive watch,depth guage and dive tables ? This should be a poll huh?

There have been polls or at least threads discussing this--have you searched for them? I guess if you have difficulty with a "new-fangled" dive computer, you have difficulty using Google. Here are some I found, and I'm sure there are many more:

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/basic-scuba-discussions/46256-computer-tables.html

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/basic-scuba-discussions/456081-do-you-use-tables-every-dive.html

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/basic-scuba-discussions/203547-computer-vs-tables.html

 

[rx7diver]

Does anybody still use the old dive watch,depth guage and dive tables ?

Yes. I learned (ca. 1986) using a dive watch, depth gauge, and dive tables. I use this setup—along with my Scubapro Jet fins and Mk 10 reg, both of which I purchased new ca. 1987—almost exclusively for the fresh water rec diving I do these days. Moreover, a pre-owned old-school PST 72 (manufactured in 1970) I purchased a couple of years ago has become my preferred tank for these dives. I do not dive with a dive computer.

A couple of weeks ago I purchased from another ScubaBoard member, a DA Aqua Master double hose regulator (manufactured ca. 1960, and modified ca. 2010 with a first generation Vintage Double Hose "Phoenix" first stage), and shortly after receiving it, I made my very first ever BC-less scuba dive (using an old blow-molded, plastic backpack). I would have made a deeper BC-less *wetsuit* dive today, but the diver's quarry which I just returned home from (a 4-hour round trip) was closed today!!

I am currently on the lookout for an old J-valve tank valve.

There is a lot to be said for the old, "classic", simpler approach to scuba diving!

EDIT: BTW, I am 60 years old.

Safe Diving,

rx7diver

 

[Mr Carcharodon]

Most people use their computers as depth gauges and timers. The other thing it does is tell you how far you are from a deco limit. But in shallow bodies of water like where you seem to be diving that may not be needed. If the bottom of your pond is 35 feet or less not using the computer at all would be perfectly reasonable since there is no NDL to worry about. Of course running out of gas still needs to be avoided and a pressure gauge and watch would be helpful there. Shallow diving on tables is fine. Computers really come into their own with multi level repetitive dives that edge up to or past NDL. If you are not doing those you may not need a computer.

 

[halocline]

An analog gauge wouldn't have increased the visibility on your recent dive, but if you prefer diving without a computer there's nothing stopping you. If you understand the basics of how computers calculate N2 loading, you can quickly get an idea of what types of dives are well within NDL and stick to those profiles. Computers are most helpful with fairly deep, multi-level repetitive dives, like those you might do at a dive destination or live-aboard.

You might look around for the old PADI wheel, which is a neat slide rule sort-of device to plan multi level dives. No batteries required.

 

[scubasteeeve]

2 Points here (not im about half your age but learned to dive before computers were really all that popular in recreational diving).

The thought came to my mind while bubbling nasty words into my regulator and thinking how simple things used to be.

Lots has changed since i first learned to dive with my father even 15-20 years ago. We understand much more about physiology and this knowledge shows in things like tables, and even ascent rates (when i was originally trained it was 60 ft/min, now its 30, tables seemed less conservative that i remember as well, octos were more a luxury than a requirement etc. These little extras seem to make us safer, not the latter in my opinion.

So I have to ask. Does anybody still use the old dive watch,depth guage and dive tables ? This should be a poll huh?

To answer this question, i work in IT as an admin that really works in Disaster Recovery type scenarios, needless to say redundancy is a part of my life in many aspects.

In diving i run manual tables (using a slate and watch to record pre-dive times/PSI/ etc) My manual depth gauge keeps a wire on the deepest depth i hit on that dive. I keep tables not only for practice and and understanding but in case my battery or dive computer stops working, im still engaged in the dive and can manage and dont HAVE to abort. It was ingranined in me well before computers were so common and its part of my pre-dive routine.


That said i also dive a suunto computer and use it, its still fairly new (to me) and even though my brain is somewhat redundant to certain types of information it does help me with other things like re-learning ascent rates. Im not sure ill ever stop running tables really.


Similarly while i also use Linus' Subsurface as a digital divelog, i also keep a pen/paper log as well. I figure this is helpful if i decide to go on a trip or something and the DM wants my (recent) experience on paper.

 

[waterduck]

There have been polls or at least threads discussing this--have you searched for them? I guess if you have difficulty with a "new-fangled" dive computer, you have difficulty using Google. Here are some I found, and I'm sure there are many more:

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/basic-scuba-discussions/46256-computer-tables.html

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/basic-scuba-discussions/456081-do-you-use-tables-every-dive.html

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/basic-scuba-discussions/203547-computer-vs-tables.html

I am getting some pretty good feed back on my post.I appreciate your adding those links.They allow for some good reading.Thanks.

 

[Lorenzoid]

I am getting some pretty good feed back on my post.I appreciate your adding those links.They allow for some good reading.Thanks.

There's no doubt plenty more where that came from. I doubt the "tables vs. computer" debate will ever go away. And why should it?--there are admittedly some interesting issues.

If you like using tables more than you like using a computer, then use tables. One thing that gets mentioned in these threads, though, is that some dive boats require divers to have computers. You could try explaining you are diving a table instead, and that may or may not satisfy them.

 

[Subcooled]

A J-valve (reserve air) or independent doubles might actually work better in a shallow zero visibility pond in experienced hands, than do all these fancy gauges and computers (unless you have a wireless pressure transmitter and audible alerts, or an Oceanic data mask). I have not used a J-valve so just guessing there. You should use equipment that makes diving safe and enjoyable. Give the new equipment some time. There is a learning curve. Some big bright oled/led screens are lovely. Take a look at the vintage diving subforum, too.