Scuba
Contributor
It is correct that computers do not have a real nitrogen meter. One which measures the actual nitrogen content that is currently absorbed by the body. Computers "nitrogen meters" are based on theoretical mathematical models, as nradov pointed out, whose accuracy level is unconfirmed, and whose inclusion in mathematical decompression theory gives us the dive tables. You either accept it, or reject it. Wether the table is contained and displayed in a computer or a card is irrelevant - it is one and the same. ( there are various table models )
What the computer adds is an algorithm, which I presume creates a minute, insignificant accuracy variance, in order to animate the table - and show it in action. If you have not visually seen the rate of on-gassing and off gassing of nitrogen at various depths, which can be quite rapid and substantial, it is because the rigid tables can not show this. A computer will show the tables in action.
The usefulness of this meter is within the confines of recreational diving, as it is designed to show how close you are to a mandatory decompression stop, and is to be avoided by those not trained in this. I am a rec diver, I don't know wether some computers have a nitrogen meter useful in tech diving or wether tech divers can find this rec nitrogen meter of some use. Technically I can't see any impediments for the creation of a tech diving nitrogen meter except for the resistance of divers to use it.
I recognize the limitations of this meter, and that not everyone may desire or feel they need one. I ask you to recognize that its display of the tables in action offers certain advantages over rigid tables. Exactitude during the dive, increased awareness of nitrogen absorption and increased awareness of nitrogen off-gassing. Useful for some.
Those who are good at reading the tables, depth guage and bottom timer, will have a good notion of where they stand at any one moment. As the compexity of the dive plan increases, there is a greater chance to deviate from the plan, and that notion becomes less accurate; Wether the deviation is small or large, intentional or not. A computer will show you the table in real time action. (real time being the computers sampling rate, which is probably every few seconds) I would venture to say that only a relatively handful of divers are capable of a vivid, fairly accurate notion, of where they are and what is taking place at any time in the dive, with respect to an accurate reading of the deco tables - when compared to a computer. Fudge your plan, deviate, only recourse I see is abort, fall back on a much safer plan, or increase the risk.
On another note for tech divers. Computer can show your real time deco obligations with precision, based on your real dive profile applied to the tables - not a theoretical dive profile, or your present notion of your profile. Why the resistance? Not a rhetorical question.
.
What the computer adds is an algorithm, which I presume creates a minute, insignificant accuracy variance, in order to animate the table - and show it in action. If you have not visually seen the rate of on-gassing and off gassing of nitrogen at various depths, which can be quite rapid and substantial, it is because the rigid tables can not show this. A computer will show the tables in action.
The usefulness of this meter is within the confines of recreational diving, as it is designed to show how close you are to a mandatory decompression stop, and is to be avoided by those not trained in this. I am a rec diver, I don't know wether some computers have a nitrogen meter useful in tech diving or wether tech divers can find this rec nitrogen meter of some use. Technically I can't see any impediments for the creation of a tech diving nitrogen meter except for the resistance of divers to use it.
I recognize the limitations of this meter, and that not everyone may desire or feel they need one. I ask you to recognize that its display of the tables in action offers certain advantages over rigid tables. Exactitude during the dive, increased awareness of nitrogen absorption and increased awareness of nitrogen off-gassing. Useful for some.
Those who are good at reading the tables, depth guage and bottom timer, will have a good notion of where they stand at any one moment. As the compexity of the dive plan increases, there is a greater chance to deviate from the plan, and that notion becomes less accurate; Wether the deviation is small or large, intentional or not. A computer will show you the table in real time action. (real time being the computers sampling rate, which is probably every few seconds) I would venture to say that only a relatively handful of divers are capable of a vivid, fairly accurate notion, of where they are and what is taking place at any time in the dive, with respect to an accurate reading of the deco tables - when compared to a computer. Fudge your plan, deviate, only recourse I see is abort, fall back on a much safer plan, or increase the risk.
On another note for tech divers. Computer can show your real time deco obligations with precision, based on your real dive profile applied to the tables - not a theoretical dive profile, or your present notion of your profile. Why the resistance? Not a rhetorical question.
.
