Decompression dive computers vice traditional decompression tables; Which do you prefer?

2015-10-22T06:31:35-04:00

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.

Response by PO2 Mark Saffell made Oct 22 at 2015 7:02 AM

2015-10-22T07:02:10-04:00

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

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2015 7:08 AM

2015-10-22T07:08:25-04:00

I prefer to have close friends with dive computers! Saves me money and helps keep me safe!

Response by SPC David S. made Oct 22 at 2015 9:47 AM

2015-10-22T09:47:38-04:00

Unless I'm doing something crazy charts work for me.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Oct 22 at 2015 11:50 AM

2015-10-22T11:50:06-04:00

I think you will find that computers give a much accurate profile of the entire dive with minute to minute information on depth, ETC. You are correct the computer is also able to input a lot of additional factors into the tables as well. The main problem with both systems is the training and accuracy of the person putting the information into either system.
The one nice thing about the traditional tables is that the are so much more conservative and if a diver stays within those tables they are not loading as much Nitrogen as the more accurate computers.

Response by SSgt Robert Jorgensen made Oct 22 at 2015 1:19 PM

2015-10-22T13:19:17-04:00

Computers are good at getting you the actual dive profile, but it is based on math and does not take the divers body into consideration. Therefore it is easier to get bent with a computer then the charts as the charts have a larger safety factor built in where the computer tries to get you the most down time. Hence you better be doing stops with a computer!

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2015 4:59 PM

2015-10-22T16:59:54-04:00

both. one can fail. remember your training.

Response by SSG Bradley Peterson made Dec 15 at 2015 12:25 PM

2015-12-15T12:25:25-05:00

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.

Response by CPT Enrique M. made Jan 26 at 2016 3:47 PM

2016-01-26T15:47:59-05:00

I personally like to keep redundancy. So i have 2 computers and if needed 2 dive tables.. but most of my diving is recreational/advance but never to the point of diving with 3 gas blends.

The real question is which algorithm do you follow, without researching I can tell you I have 3 different ones one on my Aeris Dive computer , one on my Mares, and my latest dive computer Oceanic has another.

So which one is better? that would be the next real topic.