Dive computer all I need or do I need to continue filling out the form after every dive?

This is my first post, so please forgive me if I am in the wrong area
or offend anyone.

I was certified 10 years back, but did not dive much. I got my
recertification last year. Since then, I got my Nitrox class and dove
off of Cozumel. I live in Southern California. As such, I will be
doing most of my diving in the channel islands eventhough my sister has
a house in Cozumel she uses one weekend out of the year.

I own all my gear. Everything is new or have not been used much. One
item I would like some advise with is my dive computer. I purchased a
console UVVATEC Prime computer by ScubaPro. I have read the manual
about five times end to end. Ironically, I am not very comfortable
using it eventhough I can maneuver it pretty well. I have taken it on
several dives. The computer seems to perform very well.

My question to you; Do I still need to complete my dive planning and
filling out the critical form after every dive? After diving, I notice
only the new divers learning or getting their certification are filling
out their dive books. I am curious if learning my computer and
understanding the concepts is sufficient. I hate writing or reading
while on a dive boat because I am so susceptible to sea sickness or
getting dizzi.

My computer appears to keep a log of my dive. Furthermore, it alerts
me if my bottom time is too long, ascent is too fast, or if I need a
deco stop etc. It really is a handy tool.

Regards and thank you for your time.

Mermaid Diver wrote

> This is my first post, so please forgive me if I am in the wrong area
> or offend anyone.

You're not in the wrong place and we're a lot more likely to offend you than
you are to offend us. We tend to be rough bunch, s you'll soon realize.
Stick around long enough to learn how you fit in and you're likely to find
an awful lot of very good information here.

> One item I would like some advise with is my dive computer. I purchased
> a
> console UVVATEC Prime computer by ScubaPro. I have read the manual
> about five times end to end. Ironically, I am not very comfortable
> using it even though I can maneuver it pretty well. I have taken it on
> several dives. The computer seems to perform very well.

If you understand your dive computer and get the information you need in
order to be safe from it, you're in good shape. Comfort with using it will
come with time.

> My question to you; Do I still need to complete my dive planning and
> filling out the critical form after every dive? After diving, I notice
> only the new divers learning or getting their certification are filling
> out their dive books. I am curious if learning my computer and
> understanding the concepts is sufficient. I hate writing or reading
> while on a dive boat because I am so susceptible to sea sickness or
> getting dizzi.

Let's first dispense with the word "need," replacing it with "should."
There's very little a recreational diver needs to do, but a lot of things
they should do for various reasons. Everything following is my opinion.
Take what you like, reject what you don't.

I think it's a good idea to continue your dive planning, at least until you
get more comfortable with your new computer. By the time you're more
comfortable with it, you'll have a better idea how much planning is
appropriate for each dive. Most of us at least plan our maximum depth time.
Often as not, the depth is determined by where the bottom is and the time is
determined by what the boat operator will allow. The more complex the dive,
the more we're likely to plan. The deeper the dive is, the more likely
things like gas supply are to be important, particularly on dives where some
decompression obligation is likely. Some computers provide information on
air consumption, but none that I know of do a particularly good job of it.
A wise diver thinks about such issues before the dive starts. Planning is a
good thing, but how much planning you do is very much a matter of personal
preference and risk assessment.

Filling out a log book is a different issue. The short answer is that there
is no requirement for filling out a log book and certainly no requirement
that you do it while you're still on the boat. A log book can be handy for
a couple of things. First, and foremost in my opinion, a log book is a
history of your diving. Years from now, it's been more than 40 for me,
you're likely to appreciate the kinds of things you'll chose to record now.
Good dives, bad dives, equipment issues and everything else is part of your
history as a diver. If you don't record it, you'll lose it. Personally, I
wish I had kept a log book for all my dives. I try to now.

Depending on your certification agency, there may be other reasons to keep a
lot book. Some agencies require certain levels of experience before issuing
some certifications. While the number of dives you've logged is not a great
indication of your experience, it's all the agencies normally have to go on.
If your agency requires something like that for a course you think you might
eventually take, it's a good idea to provide for it now rather than try to
recreate it later

> My computer appears to keep a log of my dive. Furthermore, it alerts
> me if my bottom time is too long, ascent is too fast, or if I need a
> deco stop etc. It really is a handy tool.

You used the right word, "tool." A computer is a tool. Except for those
who never progress beyond the simplest of dives, a computer does not relieve
you of the need to understand what you're doing. You should not depend on
your computer to warn you when it's time for you to begin your ascent or to
warn you if you're ascending too fast. It's nice that it does, but both of
those are something you should be sufficiently aware of that you don't need
the warning. Further, keep in mind that your computer's ascent alarm means
you are ascending too fast. If you hear that alarm, you've already made a
mistake.

> Regards and thank you for your time.

You're welcome.

Lee

PS: We sure do prefer at least a first name for people here. We're a
friendly, if a bit rough, bunch and it's always nice to be able to put a
name with an e-mail handle.

Mermaid Diver wrote:
> My question to you; Do I still need to complete my dive planning and
> filling out the critical form after every dive? After diving, I notice
> only the new divers learning or getting their certification are filling
> out their dive books. I am curious if learning my computer and
> understanding the concepts is sufficient. I hate writing or reading
> while on a dive boat because I am so susceptible to sea sickness or
> getting dizzi.

First, welcome to the group. Someone will be along shortly to ask about
your attire .

If you want to dive within the guidelines of traditional training,
using the computer for dives within the NDL is fine. It will keep you
at least as safe as the equations are. The problem is what if you do 1
or more dives and want to do another but something has happened to the
computer (malfunction, fell overboard, stolen, etc). If you at least
write down the times and depths of each dive, you will be able to go
back and figure out your pressure group so you can continue diving.

You will also find that because it samples your depth constantly and
calculates LOADING based on actual depths, the computer will "let" you
stay longer than the tables will and the dive you just did may be a
"deco" dive by the tables considering only your maximum depth.

"Mermaid Diver" <arielbanzon@yahoo.com> wrote:

>This is my first post, so please forgive me if I am in the wrong area
>or offend anyone.

Amazing. A nice person asking about diving! I glanced through Lee's
response and can't add anything. His comments were good as usual.

Have you ever dove at Monastery Beach?

Ron Lee

Is túisce deoch ná scéal, "Lee Bell" <pleebell2@bellsouth.net>
rista:

> you're likely to find
> an awful lot of very good information here.

With a noise to signal ratio of 1000:1, she's not likely to see it.


--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

"Mermaid Diver" <arielbanzon@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1150987229.311759.115040@u72g2000cwu.googlegr oups.com...
>
> I would like some advise with my dive computer. I purchased a
> console Prime computer by ScubaPro.
>
> My question to you; Do I still need to complete my dive planning and
> filling out the critical form after every dive?
>
> My computer appears to keep a log of my dive.

If you want to keep the information permanently you will need to fill out
your dive log or download the information from the computer and complete the
dive log. Either way you are adding information to the record so the answer
is yes. The procedure necessary to capture critical information is more
time consuming without downloading from the computer. When you are writing
take frequent breaks and look out to the horizon.

"Mermaid Diver" <arielbanzon@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1150987229.311759.115040@u72g2000cwu.googlegr oups.com...

> This is my first post, so please forgive me if I am in the wrong area
> or offend anyone.

Oh, no offense at all...

Welcome to Rec.scuba.

What color panties do you have on?

> I was certified 10 years back, but did not dive much. I got my
> recertification last year. Since then, I got my Nitrox class and dove
> off of Cozumel. I live in Southern California. As such, I will be
> doing most of my diving in the channel islands eventhough my sister has
> a house in Cozumel she uses one weekend out of the year.

Does she dive?

Twins, by any chance?

Just curious...

> I own all my gear. Everything is new or have not been used much. One
> item I would like some advise with is my dive computer. I purchased a
> console UVVATEC Prime computer by ScubaPro. I have read the manual
> about five times end to end. Ironically, I am not very comfortable
> using it eventhough I can maneuver it pretty well. I have taken it on
> several dives. The computer seems to perform very well.
>
> My question to you; Do I still need to complete my dive planning and
> filling out the critical form after every dive? After diving, I notice
> only the new divers learning or getting their certification are filling
> out their dive books. I am curious if learning my computer and
> understanding the concepts is sufficient. I hate writing or reading
> while on a dive boat because I am so susceptible to sea sickness or
> getting dizzi.
>
> My computer appears to keep a log of my dive. Furthermore, it alerts
> me if my bottom time is too long, ascent is too fast, or if I need a
> deco stop etc. It really is a handy tool.
>
> Regards and thank you for your time.

Seriously, you can do that stuff later, post- dive (very).

You might think of the problem from another angle, treating yourself for
the potential seasickness a little better.

The dive logging is pretty important (for future reference) until you can
make snap decisions about weight and thermal protection from experience in
all different environments.

I usually suggest logging the first 150 or so, for reference to advanced
training (Divemaster, Instructor, ect).

You may not have that intention now, but who knows.

Myself, I just download my dives, and have for years.

I assume you have the download gear for your computer?

It will only store a finite number of dives.



--
Popeye
"If one does as God does enough times, one
will become as God is." -Dr. Hannibal Lector.

www.finalprotectivefire.com

>

"Ron Lee" <nospamronlee@pcisys.net> wrote in message
news:449ac018.12808593@news.pcisys.net...

> Have you ever dove at Monastery Beach?

Monastery Beach is over 300 miles away from Southern California, sort of a
long drive for a day of shore diving.

Greg Mossman wrote

>> You will also find that because it samples your depth constantly and
>> calculates LOADING based on actual depths, the computer will "let" you
>> stay longer than the tables will and the dive you just did may be a
>> "deco" dive by the tables considering only your maximum depth.
>
> Which unfortunately renders the good suggestion of your first paragraph
> moot.

Actually no. We've had this discussion before. If your computer didn't
tell you it was a deco dive before it crapped out, then a nice slow ascent
and safety stop will ensure it's not a deco dive when you reach the surface.
If you don't have a missed deco obligation, then there's at least one
repetitive dive group that you know you are at or below.

Lee

Greg Mossman wrote

>> Actually no. We've had this discussion before. If your computer didn't
>> tell you it was a deco dive before it crapped out, then a nice slow
>> ascent and safety stop will ensure it's not a deco dive when you reach
>> the surface. If you don't have a missed deco obligation, then there's at
>> least one repetitive dive group that you know you are at or below.

> But you did have a missed deco obligation, according to the table.

Which table? The wheel, if used to evaluate the multilevel dives you had
done, would not. Tables not designed to work with multi level dives would.
They'd be wrong. More importantly, you'd know they are wrong.

If you're not bent, your repetitive dive group is the same as it would be if
you had just completed required deco. Your next dive may have to be short,
but you can do it on a table.

Lee