Posted on Oct 22, 2015
Decompression dive computers vice traditional decompression tables; Which do you prefer?
6.91K
27
22
2
2
0
Decompression computers vice traditional decompression tables.; Which do you prefer? I prefer decompression computers. Although decompression computers have a tendency to malfunction at greater water depths, the simplicity of calculations are a definite benefit. My decompression computer provides me with a real time modelling of the inert gas load on my body according to decompression algorithms programmed by the manufacturer. My computer monitors the depth and elapsed time of my dive and allows input for specifying gas mixtures. The computer retains my pressure exposure history, and continuously updates my tissue loads so that my current tissue loading should always be correct according to selected algorithms with some room for deviation. This unique ability to provide myself real-time tissue loading data, allows the computer to indicate my current decompression obligation, and to update it for permissible profile deviations, so that I do not have to decompress at any specific depth provided my decompression ceiling is not violated. As a result, I can make a slower ascent than that required by a decompression schedule. This provides me with unprecedented flexibility while remaining within the safety envelope of the dive algorithm I have programmed.
Edited 9 y ago
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 8
Im a certified Dive Master and Dive Control Specialist. I have been diving since the days of the old BC's like under the airplane seats. That was a challenge back then. But more recently I work for West End Diving centers in St. Louis and lead underwater tours of Bonne Terre Mine. I usually do around 300 dives a year and that's on weekends only. When I first started there 25 years ago I did it all with just the tables. I will give you an example of Trail 1. Its a 45 minute dive with the first 20 minutes or so in 22 feet of water. As we leave the shallows we do a slow drop to 45 feet where most of the dive finishes up. Now take a 45 minute surface interval and do that again. If you look at the tables you will see after about the third dive like that you are bouncing up against stops. Now imagine I have 3 more dives to do that day. Without a dive computer you can see I end up making a lot of stops in the last three dives. I have been diving with The Edge for many, many years. I know that's an OLD one but it has never failed me. I was on a dive boat in Florida and the Dive Master was trying to tell me how bad The Edge was but he learned after three dives it was right on with his new and improved computer. So this long winded answer is I prefer the Dive Computers
(4)
(0)
It's great except you are not the Algorithm! Just something to keep in mind. YOUR Tissue does not load the same as the computer thinks. Temp, Pressure, Time, Algorithm, is all the puter knows. They are indeed on the safe side. They are indeed better for Hobby Lobbers WAY BETTER than the PADI Wheel of DCS. But... If you want to call them the end all be all I would argue that with you.
(1)
(0)
Read This Next