Will Air Integration in dive computers replace the SPG?

[The Chairman]

For most OW divers a 100psi/10ft on an 80cf tank with 750 being good for everything shallower than 80 is an easy way of adjusting their depth to their gas. No fuss and it's way easy to remember.

 

[agilis]

A fair point.
But...

Does a calculator offer anything better than carrying out mental arithmetic or using a pen and paper for day to day maths? No. Yet (nearly) everyone has gone out and purchased one.

Does an automatic transmission so prevalent on US cars and gaining popularity in Europe have any advantages over a manual transmission. Answer of course in no. And an Auto cost more, weighs more and is less efficient.

What these two have in common is convenience. Society as a whole likes convenience The US is a prime example of convenience everything.

So AI gives convenience as well as other nice to have functions. A new OW student isn't taught gas management and can't do the maths on the fly - for one the're task loaded and 2 they have no experience. Some for some AI will be a boon. I can do all the maths and know all about gas management I chose to allow my computer to do it for me, but I have the experience to recognise when its wrong (or being far too conservative) And there's noting wrong with that

At least I'm consistent. I absolutely detest automatic transmissions, and on a couple of occasions was filled with a savage delight when, in remote destinations, my compatriots at the airport car rental counter were reduced almost to tears because they couldn't drive a standard shift and that was all that was available.

Convenience? Inept shiftless indolence is a better descriptor.

 

[CuzzA]

Well my dad, who has never owned an automatic and he bowls and plays tennis every week is finding it difficult to do those two sports these days. His left knee (clutch side) is killing him. Our recent conversations about getting old included the topic of his next car, it will be automatic. Thankfully that option is available to him.

Perhaps the same can be said for the diver whose vision isn't what it once was in terms of WAI on a bright lit digital screen.

 

[CuzzA]

Society as a whole likes convenience The US is a prime example of convenience everything.

A slightly different perspective would be to say, our purpose in life is to enhance the quality of our lives and to make things better for our kids. Not every idea does that, but the U.S. is a perfect example of this. So while some people hate change, fortunately as a society we continue to progress with new inventions and creations that add not just convenience, but a better way of life.

If we never questioned "can we do it better", we'd still be riding horses, shitting in outhouses and dying at 40 years old. How does this relate to WAI, I don't know, maybe it bridges the next technological advancement in sport diving. Enhanced deco algorithms in computers or transfering sensor data on rebreathers. Perhaps our computers one day will be able to actually detect if we're going to get bent. I think someone mentioned something to that effect earlier in the thread. Wouldn't it be great if no one ever got bent again? You can't get there doing the same thing.

 

[divad]

I'll start by adding one of the arguments I heard against AI. Many experienced divers say AI is unnecessary because they have a good idea of exactly how much gas they have in their tank. Then my argument is if that truly is the case, then why do you have a dedicated device with a higher risk of air loss failure when you could simply just "integrate" that data into your computer and remove the failure points of a blown hose, a blown connection at the hose and SPG and the possibility of the face plate blowing out?

Because, if your computer fails, you have nothing.

 

[agilis]

Well my dad, who has never owned an automatic and he bowls and plays tennis every week is finding it difficult to do those two sports these days. His left knee (clutch side) is killing him. Our recent conversations about getting old included the topic of his next car, it will be automatic. Thankfully that option is available to him.

Perhaps the same can be said for the diver whose vision isn't what it once was in terms of WAI on a bright lit digital screen.

I'm fortunate, I suppose. I'll be 74 in a few weeks and still have 20-20 vision and can read a small unlighted gauge, fine newsprint, or an analog watch up close, uncorrected. No problems with a clutch, at least so far. I don't bowl or play tennis, but I walk/slow jog 5 to 6 miles at least twice each week and bicycle for hours and hours when the weather is nice.

I know time will take its toll because it already has. When the Silver Rabbit comes to call I'll be ready. All things come to an end.

When I can't use a clutch (hard to imagine) I'll buy an automatic. Until then I'll use what I think are the better choices: a 5 speed manual transmission, small analog gauges and doing rather than watching.

 

[CuzzA]

Because, if your computer fails, you have nothing.

Wouldn't you end the dive if your computer failed, assuming you didn't have a backup? Wouldn't you end the dive if your SPG failed to deliver gas pressure? As in the needle dropped to zero or was stuck on an inaccurate reading?

Some may say they would continue to dive without knowing their gas pressure, that's fine. I'm not going to do that. There's always tomorrow or a spare piece of equipment on my boat.

I've done one CESA in my life in OW class, I'd like to keep it that way if I can.

 

[divad]

Wouldn't you end the dive if your computer failed, assuming you didn't have a backup? Wouldn't you end the dive if your SPG failed to deliver gas pressure? As in the needle dropped to zero or was stuck on an inaccurate reading?

Some may say they would continue to dive without knowing their gas pressure, that's fine. I'm not going to do that. There's always tomorrow or a spare piece of equipment on my boat.

I've done one CESA in my life in OW class, I'd like to keep it that way if I can.

There's no need to get defensive.

 

[divad]

.

 

[DevonDiver]

Good point. However the topic at hand wasn't really if ai was innovative. The topic at hand is whether or not ai will relegate the analog spg into something you examine at the history of diving museum or read about in the vintage forum.

The way I see it, if AI was going to replace SPGs then it already would have after all the time it's already been around.

The functionality hasn't really increased, beyond going wireless and increasing the number of transmitters that can be synced.

What else can be added to AI, that'd cause a significant shift in popularity?

One possible cause for the low uptake might be that the majority of divers are very infrequent. They spend little or no money on equipment. Rental kit very rarely comes with AI. Training kit rarely comes with AI.

I think the majority of divers just stick with what they initially learned with. For nearly all of them, that'd be an SPG.

The same issue also describes why BP&W BCDs didn't overwhelm the dive industry.... or even neoprene & velcro mask straps or spring fin straps. All of which are arguably more innovative that what the majority uses.

What'd change things is price. If AI computers/transmitters became cheap enough to become standard in dive centers for rental, then more divers would go out and buy the same...