What happens in a recreational computer if you go past the NDLs?

[hhmoore]

My dive computer, purchased new from lds, did not come with an actual manual. There was a quick reference card & a disk, which unfortunately did not work (or did not work on my computer) - I could pull up a menu, but could not open anything useful. I learned about my computer from youtube videos & pushing buttons - figuring out the basics was pretty easy; but I'm sure there are things I don't know...and I actually tried to learn about my computer before using it. I can certainly understand the OPs uncertainty.

 

[Lorenzoid]

I've always wondered about this. Say you've got an Oceanic ProPlus and you go past 130ft for like 15 minutes. Would the recreational computer give you a suitable decompression profile? Just purely a theoretical.

See page 54 of the manual for the Oceanic ProPlus, where exactly this is explained: https://www.oceanicworldwide.com/us/media/wysiwyg/manuals/12-2328-r05.pdf

 

[doctormike]

My dive computer, purchased new from lds, did not come with an actual manual. There was a quick reference card & a disk, which unfortunately did not work (or did not work on my computer) - I could pull up a menu, but could not open anything useful. I learned about my computer from youtube videos & pushing buttons - figuring out the basics was pretty easy; but I'm sure there are things I don't know...and I actually tried to learn about my computer before using it. I can certainly understand the OPs uncertainty.

What computer?

 

[CT Sean]

My dive computer, purchased new from lds, did not come with an actual manual.

If you are talking about the Aqualung i300, mentioned in another post, you can find the manual here: http://www.aqualung.com/us/technical_library/i300_owners_manual_EN.pdf

 

[boulderjohn]

But what are diver training agencies teaching about decompression, if divers don't understand that dive computers will calculate the decompression requirements if the NDL limit is exceeded. My PADI Instructor, decades ago, when dive computers where very expensive, explained how they functioned, and that they would give you a decompression profile to the surface.

I can only speak for PADI on this issue.

About 6-7 f years ago (not sure), PADI introduced a computer version of the OW course. It does cover this. It tells you that a dive computer will give you directions to descend if you accidentally exceed your NDLs. It tells you to learn how your specific computer does this.

That version of the course was not required, though, and it still is not required. It is still possible to take the course using only the tables. Of course, anyone who was certified before that computer version of the course was created would have learned the tables instead. The OP in this thread was a member of ScubaBoard and certainly certified years before the computer version of the course was created. An instructor who taught the details of computer usage at that time would be teaching content beyond the course, which would be allowed but would not be common.

Interestingly enough, when PADI created the computer version of the course, many threads talked about it, with about 3/4 of the participants adamantly opposed. It is critical, they argued, that people learn how the tables (which they will not use) rather than computers (which they will use).

 

[Ghost95]

No, you will die unless you are truly an anointed and certified technical diving specialist. End of story.

 

[dmaziuk]

i have been told however that some recreational computers will get you safely to the surface if ndl is exceeded, but then lock you out for 24 hours..

I am sure you heard that, but if anyone's computer ever actually does that, they should be taking it back to the store for full refund.

Simply put, if you are in deco and not do the required deco stops, then all computer's subsequent calculations are off. Because according to its programming you are bent into a bag of pretzels and should be in a hospital. Most definitely not out diving. Both you and the computer need to be reset to "known good" state before the program can produce usable numbers again, that's what the 24 hours is about.

I.e. they shouldn't lock you out for overstaying the NDL, all the manuals I've seen said lock out for omitted mandatory decompression.

 

[Kharon]

My dive computer, purchased new from lds, did not come with an actual manual. There was a quick reference card & a disk, which unfortunately did not work (or did not work on my computer)

Sorry - not buying it. Pretty certain that the manual for your (every) computer is on-line at the manufacturer's website. No excuse.

That version of the course was not required, though, and it still is not required. It is still possible to take the course using only the tables.

Your point? If you buy new equipment that wasn't (or even was) covered in a course you took, you are responsible for learning how to use it properly and understanding it's capabilities before jumping in the water willy-nilly.

Why is this a problem for me. Because, by not understanding your equipment and how to use it, you put me and everyone else in danger if I'm in the water with you. Just read the effing manual.

 

[dmaziuk]

Just read the effing manual.

Before everything else fails.

 

[BRT]

Oceanic Veo 180-250 says it cannot calculate a first stop much below 70 feet. I'm not planning to need a first stop much below 70 feet. Only time I saw a computer in decompression was my wife's Oceanic Prodigy. She was hanging 10 feet below me and it showed a 15' stop that cleared before we got from 120' to 60'.