When computers fail

[tombiowami]

I don't have enough experience to jump to far out in this one, but I do like to remember the thread a while back in which someone did 2 or 3 dives in a day and his computer gave him like 5 hrs. no fly time, anyway, major dci and a visit to the chamber later...

To me the main part is to stay the proverbial student. I have been very impressed at the level of engineering, knowledge and training that have come about in the past few years.

It has made scuba diving a much safer sport, potentially.

Tommy

 

[sactomags]

I found out after several days' worth of diving that my computer was off. We'd been diving in Florida, doing quite a few shore dives, and then went to do some boat dives. On the second boat dive, while we were doing our safety stop, I was at what I thought was 15 feet, and the rest of the group were above me. My husband/buddy signaled me to come up to where there were, and I indicated that my gauge said I was at 15 feet. So, I went up to his depth and finished the safety stop. The rest of the dives we did were shallow (20-30 feet), and then I took my gear in for servicing.

They gave me a new computer as there was something wrong in the calibration. Although my husband is my buddy 99% of the time, and we always check each other out frequently during our dives, we didn't catch this until our last day of diving as quite a few of the dives ended up in shallow water, so there wasn't an actual stop per se, we just wandered around in the shallower water until at 500 psi.

Knock on wood, I haven't had the complete failure yet, but we still pull out the charts at the end of the day and check things over.

Margaret

 

[Hobbs]

A computer is just a tool.
Before each first of the dive that day i try to check the tables to give me a aproximate on the bottom time at the maximum deapth we are going in on.
that gives me an aproximate maximum time at max deapth (wich doesnt differ to much from tables) then you just go upwards in a slow manor until you make the safety stop.
after the safetystop (either swimming or stationary) you slowly surface.
looking at the charts before the first dive gives you a tool to check some functions of your computer (the calculations). however your buddys computer or your mechanical deapth meter would be another great tool.

in short: use comon sence if it seems abnormal in time or deapth then check with your buddy and/or your spare bottomtimer/deapth gauge, couse you do have one of those dont you ?? and even if it doesnt seem abnormal check anyway, you might catch your partners/spare gear to be faulty.

have some nice dives, and dont forget to have fun down there

 

[Arduous]

Dive computers do what they were designed to do and they do it fairly well. When performing recreational dives at recreational depths, they alleviate the need for the diver to do the math. If the computer fails, the diver ( who should be diving with in recreational limits ) just terminates the dive and does a normal slow controlled assent. Throw in a safety stop that is reasonable for the depth you were diving at. Anything outside the realm of recreational diving…deep, penetration ect… it is best that the diver do the math and check it well. I always dive with a computer and often dive with two computers, an air integrated consol and a wrist mounted computer. However I always plan the dive and do the math myself before I hit the water. This way if I do have a computer failure I can terminate the dive with some confidence that I know where I am and what I need to do to go home safe.

Dive Safe ……………………………..Arduous

 

[Ontario Diver]

One small thing.... most computers recommend that on a faiure; ascend to 15' and breath out you tank AND THEN NO DIVING FOR 24 Hrs.

I have a Vyper. It is a good addition to my dive planning, but I always check that tables and know what my current PG is. If (and I hope not) the computer goes casters up; I will not hang around, try and remember rules, trust my buddies computer. I'll cancel the dive.

When(after I learn to) I dive technicial; the computer will be in gauge mode and I'll have redundant gauges.

Just my .02, but for the computer users - the 24 hr rule is important to remember

 

[Bob]

To All,
A Dive Computer is just a tool, nothing else. It 's a tool that can and will break. Just go back and read the threads about Dive Computers on this board. An air intergrated computer is just another unnecessary failure point, and who needs that? I always plan my dive with the tables and basically dive that plan with the computer as a backup. I see far to many new divers just jumping in and leaving everything to the computer. Computers are good, don't get me wrong, but nothing beats good planning. A diver shouldn't become dependant on his/her computer. :tree:Bob

 

[Uncle Pug]

You guys all come over here and start talking about computers and I'm over there talking off thread stuff on "how long is your hose?" ....

Uhhh.... carry on.... I'm listening....

 

[Fishkiller]

for when the AI DC fails? I was thinking of getting a regular gauge / console and (gasp) have another hose.

 

[Bob]

Is that what you call getting hosed?:tease:
:tree:Bob

Fishkiller: In this instance, the best way to prepare is to plan ahead by not building in a unnecessary failure point in you rig.:idea:

 

[BILLB]

I know of many NE wreck divers who are DIR rigged and dive computers. In fact they dive with two computers. Now this is going to take a lot more money but then again, you can't take it with you!

A back up computer (and there are many fine less expensive computers out there) and a separate pressure gauge (for us who also have an air intergrated computer) will allow you to continue to dive if the primary computer fails. This also means you have more gear to maintain and monitor. But, I believe it is worth it especially after you just made a long boat trip out to the Channel Islands for 4 or 5 dives that day.

All the other precautions apply if you your primary and back up fails. 24 hours SIT, etc. Recreational divers frequently are diving new places much of the time. The DIR methlodgy of planning your dive and diving your plan is the best way to dive....especially if you are doing deep, wrecks and caves. Reefs, walls and other recreational dives are not suited to this exacting policy and that is exactly why a computer is required. It gives the diver a "flexible plan" for such activities.

A computer is only as dumb (or smart) as the diver using it. Lastly, dive computers have contributed significantly to the decrease in DCS incidents. However, improved training and science has contributed even more significantly.