Will Air Integration in dive computers replace the SPG?

[Dive Right In Scuba.]

So let's debate which is the more reliable for open water divers:a 200 bar DIN connection or a 300 bar DIN connection. Well, I think most people would say that the 300 bar connection is more reliable, but let's face it, the discussion would be silly. Both are so reliable that there is no point in even talking about it. Who cares which is more reliable?

Well, SPGs, AIs, and WAIs are not quite at that level of reliability, but they are close enough for me that I don't see it as enough of an issue to worry about. I have had several SPG spool problems over the years, and the worst case result was minor annoyance. I haven't seen any other problems on any other divers in the recreational area, no matter what they are using, and as far as the consequence of failure is concerned, as packrat12 said...

For technical diving, AI or wireless AI will not kill a properly aware diver. It may cause dives to be turned but will not kill them. A tech diver would be expected to not be dependent on information like air time remaining etc but just using the pressure information. However, if I was technical diving with someone using wireless AI who had multiple sync issues over several trips and as a result had to turn the dive, I can assure you I would not continue to dive with them. If they had no issues, I would dive with them.

 

[dmaziuk]

Of course it moves. It depends on depth and air consumption reflecting personal level of activity... With "huge" tanks it will move slowly, but if you are down around 30 meters and swimming against a current it will move, especially if you monitor it frequently. It should move at the rate your plan and/or experience leads you to expect.

I hope you did not misinterpret 'movement' as something like a watch second hand. Movement is slow, even with the 60 and 80 cf tanks I generally use. Its movement over time, confirmation of my expectations.

So what you're saying, then, is

They also provide more information than a simple abstract number glowing on a screen

-- but only after you've spent years diving with an spg and gained all that experience with different tanks at different depths etc.

Until then a needle position is no more or less abstract than a number glowing in the dark.

 

[agilis]

So what you're saying, then, is

-- but only after you've spent years diving with an spg and gained all that experience with different tanks at different depths etc.

Until then a needle position is no more or less abstract than a number glowing in the dark.

No, only until a diver is thoroughly trained. To an inexperienced thinly trained essentially passive diver a mechanical direct connection SPG is probably of no more value than abstract numbers on a screen. As the diver develops competency, insight, and understanding the mechanical SPG becomes, at least potentially, a source of increasingly more refined information that can be integrated into active engagement in the scuba system's process.

 

[Divetech99]

On Tec deco dives, wireless AI on the right post and SPG on the left post is great setup particularly if you carry 2 deco bottles on the left side. Less fumbling to unclip and clip to check your backgas during tight penetrations. Just flick your wrist to check remaining gas. Cross check with SPG from time to time. Any Tec diver who haven't tried this setup should.

Btw, there is usually a 150-200 psi difference between between AI and SPG with the AI reading lower and more accurate.

 

[dmaziuk]

No, only until a diver is thoroughly trained. To an inexperienced thinly trained essentially passive diver a mechanical direct connection SPG is probably of no more value than abstract numbers on a screen. As the diver develops competency, insight, and understanding the mechanical SPG becomes, at least potentially, a source of increasingly more refined information that can be integrated into active engagement in the scuba system's process.

Objection Your Honor: masked man fallacy, arguing implicit false premise, irrelevant conclusion. "As the diver diving with a mechanical SPG develops competency, insight, and understanding the mechanical SPG becomes yadda yadda yadda" is absolutely correct. However, it does not follow that "as the diver diving with a digital SPG develops competency, insight, and understanding the digital SPG does not become" the same yadda yadda.

 

[agilis]

Overruled.

 

[dmaziuk]

Overruled.

YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!!!

 

[agilis]

It's not in my job description.

 

[dmaziuk]

 

[undrwater]

Now THIS is fun!

I don't believe we've all agreed to use critical thought when posting. @NetDoc, is it in the TOA?