Will Air Integration in dive computers replace the SPG?

[DevonDiver]

...when you change tank do you look at the label first or the transmitter of that particular tank will flash indicating that it is the correct one to use?

I suspect, given the experience stated on his profile, that he's never done a 3 gas dive.

There an awful lot of multi-gas recreational computers nowadays. It's a big appeal seller on the recreational market I assume..but, for the life of me, I can't work out why.

 

[DevonDiver]

DevonDiver mentions earlier in this thread or the Shearwater one, paraphrasing that, "actual gas consumption being used to help deco algorithum could be beneficial." However, when I mention something similar...

His response is, "fat monitors and Segways."

The issue communicated still evades you.

Current AI has zero practical benefit for an experienced, competent diver other than the convenience of transferring information to the wrist.

It helps inexperienced divers for two reasons; firstly, it educates on SAC and the relationship to gas duration, secondly, it compensates for inexperience by monitoring gas supplies and providing alarms.

I earlier described a software solution that'd have some tangible functional benefit to advanced/technical divers. You asked for it, I answered. I think the concepts presented were too advanced for many participants to understand. No offense implied - it was very technical and this is the basic scuba forum. You really didn't mention anything that was at all similar.

Then the question was posed about what other innovations could supercede AI as innovations in dive computer manufacture. In particular, with a tangible benefit for reducing incidence of DCI. The only current (not sci-fi) technology that I could think of that identifies a known DCI predisposing factor are fat monitors. Heart rate monitor integration (to monitor exertion) already exists on a dive computer, I believe. It bombed... the technophiles weren't interested, because it limited, rather than enabled them, from doing what they wanted..

People are championing WAI, but also ignoring AI (hosed). The difference between AI and WAI is convenience. In all other function they are identical.

I gave a simple example of innovation for convenience:

A Segway is innovative technology. It saves people having to walk.
WAI is innovative technology, it saves people having to move their arm.

What's the objection to any of that?

 

[CuzzA]

I suspect, given the experience stated on his profile, that he's never done a 3 gas dive.

There an awful lot of multi-gas recreational computers nowadays. It's a big appeal seller on the recreational market I assume..but, for the life of me, I can't work out why.

Nope. Only 2 tanks so far. New diver progressing my diving at a reasonable rate. Fortunately I own a boat and live in beautiful Palm Harbor Florida on the Gulf of Mexico where I can dive whenever I want. We've had 17 ft seas this week, so no diving until things calm down.

What does that have to do with the future of WAI? Or am I being FIGJAMED. SMH

 

[The Chairman]

Fortunately I own a boat and live in beautiful Palm Harbor Florida on the Gulf of Mexico

Dude, I think I'm free this weekend. Let's have a FIGJAM free dive or two.

 

[dumpsterDiver]

Nope. Only 2 tanks so far. New diver progressing my diving at a reasonable rate. Fortunately I own a boat and live in beautiful Palm Harbor Florida on the Gulf of Mexico where I can dive whenever I want. We've had 17 ft seas this week, so no diving until things calm down.

What does that have to do with the future of WAI? Or am I being FIGJAMED. SMH

Now you sound Like Volker.. you can dive any time the Gulf wants..

 

[CuzzA]

Dude, I think I'm free this weekend. Let's have a FIGJAM free dive or two.

Let's do it boss. No SPG's though, they don't have a practical benefit over WAI.

You know Pete, perhaps the issue is the name Wireless Air Integration. Maybe all of this decisiveness could be cured if it was referred to as the Electronic Submersible Pressure Gauge. Yep, from now on I'm going to call it the ESPG. It has the exact same function as the analog SPG. Or maybe the SSPG or iSPG... Smart or Inteligent SPG. Lol

 

[CuzzA]

Now you sound Like Volker.. you can dive any time the Gulf wants..

If that ain't the truth. Good catch, I stand corrected.

 

[Kevrumbo]

Never "blew-out" a face plate, seen a stuck pointer, catastrophic leak or other loss of function with an analog SPG; in comparison electronic digital WAI had intermittent sync problems either on pre-dive and/or worse during the dive with loss of pressure instrumentation function . . . In my opinion & experience, analog SPG's will always remain viable for those looking for non-powered, free-standing (not relying on or linked to anything else; independent), self-actuated, and reasonably priced components.

All optional functions of AI are ancillary to what you should already know in your head, namely how much remaining gas left in your tank and rate of consumption. The analog SPG is the only necessary instrument to reliably indicate & confirm those values.

 

[DevonDiver]

Nope. Only 2 tanks so far.

Gasses, not tanks.

What does that have to do with the future of WAI?

It has something to do with WAI, in that dive computer manufacturers are setting their software to enable multiple nitrox mixes to be used. In most cases, this function features prominently in their market as a selling point.

I wondered how many recreational divers actually dove multi-gas dives, as I'd otherwise be inclined to think that this was a pretty worthless function for non-technical WAI computers to have.

As far as I'm aware (and I'm familiar with most agencies syllabus), there is no recreational level diving course that qualifies to use more than one gas on a single dive. At most, they add an 'ideal ascent gas' that is for conservatism only and would be recorded as per bottom gas for the purposes of nitrogen tracking.

Multi-gas diving is the preserve of technical training; whether for accelerated decompression or extended no-stop, multi-level, multi-gas dives (which I never really hear of anyone doing anyway).

So... my line of thought and analysis... was perhaps computer manufacturers weren't truly investing in developing innovative, beneficial functionality for WAI... and (on topic) that could be a factor why it hasn't replaced analog SPGs until now.

Adding additional transmitters and tweaking software to allow existing algorithms to handle multiple nitrox mixes on a dive isn't my idea of innovative. It's just more of the same... and as mentioned repeatedly, it has very little, or no, benefit to the vast majority of divers.

Or perhaps 'FIGJAM' is the new 'politically incorrect'....and dive computer manufacturers have become so sensitive to admitting that diving accidents involve more than hurt feelings and boo boos... that they now feel unable to address the issue of diving safety any more.

Fortunately I own a boat and live in beautiful Palm Harbor Florida on the Gulf of Mexico where I can dive whenever I want. We've had 17 ft seas this week, so no diving until things calm down.

That's nice. Can do a house-swap for my pad here on a Philippines' beach. I'm taking my 27 year old girlfriend out the house though. ha ha. 2" seas and an armored cruiser 5 minutes motor off the beach. I could do with a break from diving 6 days a week...I need to dry off sometime... and the missus wants me to put some weight on, which I struggle to do with my diving schedule demands

 

[Centrals]

Gasses, not tanks.

He is a NOT illiterate so he should know the difference between two mixes and two tanks.