As a Scuba Instructor I am often asked “Do I need a dive computer?” and I can confidently say that the overwhelming consensus of the dive community is yes. In fact, when my Open Water students approach me and ask what equipment they should buy first I always say mask, dive computer, and fins. Always in that order too; a mask and computer take up no space at all in your holiday luggage. You can always hire fins on the first few holidays while masks and computers significantly improve your dive experience.
I know you can dive safely using a depth gauge, dive watch and dive table – this was literally how I learnt to dive back in July 1996. Back then dive computers were not that common and rather expensive, putting them well out of the reach of most holiday divers. However, it’s now 2020 and you can get far more for your money when you head to the dive store to look at nice shiny computers. This is why you’ll be hard-pressed to find a regular diver who’s still using tables another reason is actually a decent dive watch will cost just as much as basic dive computer and only tell the time and perhaps the date.
YOUR dive computer provides you with all the real-time dive information you need to dive safely and well within your limits. You’ll notice I stressed “your”, this was deliberate because many new divers ask if they can share their buddy’s computer. PADI and the dive community as a whole have a very strong view about this. The answer is quite simply, a big fat NO! Why? I hear you ask. Well, it is highly unlikely, even if you are a buoyancy ninja, you’ll be at the exact depth as your dive buddy for the whole dive and there lies the problem with sharing.
In real life diving, away from your open water training, exploring wrecks and reefs, taking photos, recovering lost objects all while completing multi-level dive profiles that will make it impossible to be exactly level with your buddy for the whole dive. The decompression model built into the software of your computer tracks precisely the dissolved nitrogen in your body during your dive not anyone else, it only knows where you have been. The dive computer then gives you how much time (and gas depending on the model) you safely have remaining.
Your dive computer can replace several pieces of kit, your depth gauge and watch, (sometimes your SPG and compass depending on the model) into one compact piece of kit. Although, I do recommend you consider back up of at least your SPG if you are going for wireless air integration. Your dive computer also remembers your dives so you can log them later in the pub as opposed to immediately you get out of the water with wet hands before you forget the details resulting in soggy log book.
Basically, most scuba divers use a dive computer simply because it makes sense and they make your life easier and safer and in today’s modern world should be considered essential personal items along with your mask and fins.
So, what should you look for in a dive computer?
Well, any dive computer you purchase should have at a minimum:
- Clear easy to read display
- No stop dive limits panning
- Current & maximum depth
- Elapsed Dive time
- No Stop time remaining (during dive)
- Ascent rate
- Emergency Decompression
- Low Battery Warning
- Nitrox Compatible
All the computers we sell here at Dive Station Pattaya fulfil these requirements and there are many different options and manufacturers depending on your needs, wants and budget. For example, check out the Aqua Lung i200C for a versatile and stylish watch style computer that will cover for all situations as you grow as a diver.
Come in and see us in the shop or give us a call and we’ll help guide you in the right direction.
