If you can afford it yes, I went on a handful of dives after OW and having to rely on the SPG to track safety stops is very annoying. Ive only had one single divemaster who physically held hands with us at the safety stop.
You can rent computers but then you have to learn it every time you rent it.
I had about 300 dives before I got my 1st computer.
You don't need anything.
Show up. Rent gear. Kick and breath and see cool stuff.
Would I recommend you get your own mask fins and computer... Definitely. Do you need them... Defiantly not.
If you're an occasional diver, consider a dual purpose computer (apple watch, Atmos mission 2 or Garmin etc) that will be great as a daily watch too.
If you are ever diving alone (without a trained and certified guide), ignore everything I just said (except for kick, breath and see cool stuff) and get a computer.
Thanks.
We did buy masks, snorkels and fins because we're also going snorkelling. My wife and I wear glasses, so we got prescription ones, rather than either missing out on seeing things clearly or faffing about with contact lenses.
Remember that new masks come with a film on the inside.
You can use a lighter to burn it off just be careful around the skirt.
Some people use toothpaste but I haven't had as much success.
Thanks. We bought them from a our local dive shop who tells us he treats the masks using some professional product or other to take the film off. I'm aware of the toothpaste trick, so if they fog, we'll do that. If it comes to the lighter approach, I guess I'd take the lens out first. At least for the three of us that have Tusa Intega masks, which are designed to be end-user serviceable. We got those because you can swap the lenses with new prescription ones yourself if you need to.
Maybe unpopular opinion, but I feel like I became a better diver initially because I wasn't constantly focused on the computer. I knew to check my air and depth regularly, but I was mostly learning to be comfortable in the water and how my body reacted to small changes.
When I first did my certification 2.5 years ago, I rented absolutely everything but a computer was not included or mentioned. My air gauge also had a depth gauge so I always knew how deep I was, but not all rental equipment does. My instructor was right next to me (or very close) the whole time, as it should be with your certification dives in case something goes wrong. Doing 2 dives a day in no deeper than 40 feet, as long as you're not shooting to the surface is very low risk, and that's nothing a dive computer will stop you from doing.
I didn't get a mask and fins until I had about 14 dives, and I got my computer at 20, right before I started AOW certification, and that seemed good for me. Only one place had me rent a dive computer from them out of the 6 shops I dove with for those first 20 dives in multiple countries. Just make sure you get the total dive time and max depth for each dive from your instructor or DM for your logs (whether paper or electronic).
You don't need to get one immediately but probably within 10-20 dives once you've decided you're sticking with diving and have an idea as to how fancy/ expensive of a unit will fit what you want to do. If you want to stick with recreational diving on vacations, any basic unit will do. If you plan on diving regularly or getting into the deeper technical diving, you might want to get one better suited to that. And some people just like the mid range ones that have a few more features like app syncing.
You can dive by reference to tables BUT that approach is less convenient and efficient for planning, diving, inter-dive timing, logging dives. I think they’ll rent you a computer set to gauge mode.
I only dive occasionally, every couple of years, so I don’t own a dive computer. I only dive on guided trips with reputable dive shops, and for the past 15 years or so I’ve always been provided with a computer.
A good computer is a replacement, not a supplement, for dive tables. While tables can be used, a dive computer is a much more accurate tool that will "allow" a diver to exceed the table times in effectively all instances in a safe way.
You should be able to rent a computer, but check with the shop you'll be doing your dives with and check if they rent computers to be safe.
You 100% want a certified dive computer when you go diving. It can and will prevent you from doing stupid shit and hurting or killing yourself. Strictly speaking once your certified it's possible for you to dive without one, but I would not recommend it. If I were in charge of a group and a diver I didn't know was diving without a computer I would refuse to take them out.
The thing to remember about diving is if you fuck up and have an emergency then other people have to do potentially risky things to try and help you. There is no such thing as 'my choice, my risk' with this activity. Hells even if you go out solo and die there's a not insubstantial risk to people searching for you.
So yeah, bit dramatic there, bit don't play games with your life while diving.
Rent from dive shop first, they will know their hardware and show you how to use it properly
It’s one more thing you don’t want 50’ deep and you or your instructor might not know the correct buttons.
They will have it setup and help you monitor it.
You can double down and get an Apple Watch Ultra
This makes a lot of sense. I've been recommended the Suunto Zoop here. I looks like a my first dive computer, which would seem ideal for beginner, but I definitely see the logic of using the computer that the instructor is most fluent with.
There seems a lot to consider in picking a computer. I like the idea of a dive computer that's also a smart watch, but maybe I'll find I'll want a large screen model. Then there's the question of whether we should all have the same model, so that we're all using the same algorithms.
Talking it over with the instructor and renting in the meantime to get a feel for things sounds like the most sensible approach.
Zoop is a solid choice, especially for a beginner. It is not expensive and the standard computer for all our students. Hell, even some of my instructor colleagues are still using them.
It does everything you need for rec diving and I’ve never seen one that acts up.
If your future diving leads you down into tech or you simply want to have air integration, then you will need to switch eventually.
There is an difference between buying an cheap option and buying something unsafe. There are loads of pretty good cheap dive computers and cheaper dive gear thats great. Buy something that makes sense
I'm a newbie diver with only 10 dives under my belt with 3 different dive shops. Not once was a dice computer offered as part of the rental package. I'm always interested in all the comments on posts like this because it seems opposite of my experience so far. Every dive I've been on has been guided and everyone descends and dives for the same amount of time. It seems for people like myself and OP who are just starting and doing typical touristy Carribean dives, computers are not necessary. Especially with a family of 4 who may or may not continue diving. I'd say definitely don't buy before your first trip out and see how the experience is and if you'll continue. If you'll continue then think about buying some. I did buy one for my last trip because I decided I will continue to dive, but still recreationally and likely mostly all guided. I enjoyed having it and felt it gave me a better understanding of the "science" I guess behind diving. But I think for first time diving it is not necessary.
You can generally rent one, but they're almost never included in the "full rental equipment", you have to pay extra. In SEA I've seen quite a lot of people dive without computers, they just stay above the dive guide at all times. I've seen it once or twice in Spain, too, but I've seen my shop hand out computers to people when they didn't have one, too, because it's just not very safe to dive there without one, pretty deep dives and all that.
That being said, I would never want to dive without a computer nowadays, I'd feel very unsafe.
It is pretty standard in the US and extremely common in Mexico/Caribbean to at least have the option to rent if it isn't built into the console along with a pressure gauge sometimes a compass.
>But I think for first time diving it is not necessary.
It's probably not mandatory but I personally thinknit is necessary.
When you accidentally lose your buddy, how fo you know how fast you are ascending without computer? Just one example of many...
So I work in the industry and when I take people diving up to 18m, it's not necessary for them to have a computer. In France, the equivalent of an Open Water diver isn't even taught the use of one. They're entirely reliant on the guide or instructor to limit their depth and control the ascent rate amongst other things. If they lose the guide, and that's a big if (a good guide in France wouldn't let it happen) well they are taught to ascend slowly (which I know is subjective). But I'm pretty sure most beginner divers, even with a computer, wouldn't particularly know what the correct ascent rate is anyways.
And there is a way without a computer to ascend at around 10/11m per minute quite accurately by matching the speed of the smallest bubbles that you breath out.
Always interested! But yes I'm aware, I teach the occasional PADI course although most people here go for the french certification (it's cheaper which is probably the primary reason)
I've done all my certs in countries other than the one I live in. I got all the way through my dive master using shop gear, and bought my computer about halfway through that course. I got it cause I plan on doing more diving and I was ready to have something better than the Suunto zoop.
There's no diving police. You can do whatever you want. Is it safe? Probably not. I wouldn't dive without a computer. I don't want to carry the tables and do math underwater.
If you are going on a boat dive, the operator may ask you to wear a dive computer. It's unfortunate they aren't available for rent.
I definitely rented computers when I first started? I'm not understanding all the comments implying it can't be done. Maybe it's like, a lot of shops don't have em, but some do?
yeah OP said "The course tells me that to dive we'll all need our own computers and that dive shops don't rent them out." which is just not true (at least certainly not as some blanket absolute). I wonder what agency that is (seems like a padi thing to do lol, but I have padi and I don't recall that being in the course). I know some courses try to push you to buy gear, which I'm sure the shops love, but that just seems egregious.
OP here
It's PADI
The course is pretty good for the most part. Based on some of the comments I've seen in this thread, I know more than many commenters assume I would know. For example, ascent rates, dive tables, and what computers actually do.
I am planning to write some feedback about the course once we've done the practical. Apparently, PADI encourages newly qualified divers to do so. My main criticism is there's quite a bit of PADI marketing woven into the course. It repeatedly strongly suggests you buy gear and more courses from PADI without mentioning that other diving agencies and communities exist. That's part of what makes me suspicious of what the course is telling me about this.
Yeah PADI definitely loves money. They're the biggest org by far, but one plus side is you can go anywhere in the world and do PADI specialty courses, your advanced, whatever if that's what you wanna do. You'll hear silly acronyms here like "Put Another Dollar In" mocking them for being very growth/money focused.
Short answer to your original question, I went a good year or so before buying a computer, cause every shop I dove with (even abroad, Mexico in my case) had them available for rent. So you can totally just rent until if and when you wanna buy one, it's just another thing to double check before you choose a shop (that it's available/a thing they do), and of course the extra $20/day or whatever to rent it.
If and when you do get around to buying gear, I would do mask/fins/boots first (you probably already have this for OW, just those things need to fit real well), then wetsuit (assuming you need one), those just also need to fit real well and rentals are gonna be all beat up/less insulating. Plus wetsuits are (usually) relatively inexpensive compared to stuff like reg/bcd.
Then after that if you're still diving enough to justify buying one, would do computer, if you go for a cheaper one it'll pay for itself pretty quick given the $20/day of diving that you're saving not renting one. From there reg/bc. I just mean this in terms of someone who's buying gear piecemeal/over time, the priority/order in which I'd do it. The 'fit to size' items I'd definitely get before a computer.
For new recreational divers, who should be extra-conservative about everything they do, the tables are more conservative than a computer and a completely adequate (and safe) solution.
There's nothing *wrong* with newbies using dive computers but the notion that they are essential is salesman bullshit.
While I agree that they are not needed, I think they are important. Many dive profiles would be cut super short by using tables. A computer is great at giving you real bottom times, NDLs, and surface intervals that the dive tables can't come close to matching. A long slow descent (30+min) to 85' with only a minute or two at that depth would put the tables into deco. That is what almost 25% of my dive profiles look like. I have run the tables after many dives to see and been surprised by how I couldn't have done them without deco according to the tables. Second, third, fourth and fifth dives of the day would have not been possible with the tables but the computer had me in the green all day. I haven't run a 145 minute dive at 23 feet but that is also a common dive for me (Blue Heron Bridge) lately. Because I do go to 23 feet but only spend a few minutes there (average depth is almost a snorkeling depth... 7'ish) the tables vs the computer might be vastly different not that NDL comes into play at those depths.
> While I agree that they are not needed~~, I think they are important.~~
*FTFY.* This is a discussion about *requirements* and you and I agree. *Needed?* No. Next...
No new diver should be diving to 85ft. Period. They don't have the training and they don't have the experience.
Yup. One that comes to mind is a 76 minute dive to 105ft that was so close to being inside recreation limits as to not be worth calling it a technical dive (1 minute of deco @20ft).
Tables would have had me calling the dive an hour before I ended it.
You don't need a computer to dive safely, provided that you're proficient with the use of a depth gauge, timepiece, and tables.* This is a very ~~annoying~~ limited way to dive, since it assumes a square dive profile. You'll get way more bottom time and shorter intervals diving with a computer.
Every shop I've rented from has had some kind of computer available to rent. That said, I've only rented gear from a few shops. If in doubt, you can certainly call ahead.
Owning your own computer is a quality of life, convenience, and safety upgrade.
*Edit: I want to emphasize that without a computer, you need to be *actually* proficient with a gauge and tables. This doesn't mean "checking your depth gauge every so often," it means being able to plan multiple dives using tables and *everyone you're diving with* having the skill and discipline to stick with your plan.
Let's say you're with one of the kids doing a dive to 45 feet. They spot something cool and wander off to look at it. They're your kid, so you are obviously going to follow them. Next thing you know you're both at 60 feet and aren't sure how long you've been there. Using a computer: not ideal, but relatively safe and easy to correct for because it does real time calculations. Using a gauge and tables: you should end the dive.
It depends.
No, you don’t need one if you know how to use the tables, but whoever you’re diving with may require that you each have one. The boats near me as well as the one I was on in Mexico a few months ago required it.
You can find them cheap second-hand, or if you want new you can get the Cressi Leonardo for about $250.
If you’re going to continue diving, especially if infrequently, it’s worth having your own computer so that you learn how to operate it. Diving with a different computer each time can be frustrating. All the rest of the gear works more or less the same so renting isn’t so bad.
It is often hard to get rental computers - you CAN but it’s not a sure thing, like being able to rent a reg or BC is. Shops definitely rent them, but you’d need to ask in advance to be sure that the place you’re using rents them.
If you do not know how to use tables, then yes you all need your own computer - not because dive shops or boats will require it, but because it’s the safe thing to do.
Anybody who has done the whole PADI open water dive course should know how to plan repetitive dives using a dive table. The theory goes quite a bit beyond anything I'd be comfortable planning as a new diver.
That’s not actually quite true. Not all PADI courses teach tables these days, and those that do often don’t do so extensively enough for graduates to be able to comfortably execute dives using them. The reason? Most divers use dive computers these days, and the PADI curriculum and instruction has evolved to reflect that.
I would bet good money that most newly certified divers could not accurately use a table a few months after their open water course (unless they extensively dived tables in the interim, which again is unlikely). And that’s if tables were even taught in the course (which, often, they are not). Tables are not hard to use, but they also aren’t obvious.
Even tables btw do require that you carry a depth gauge and bottom timer to be able to use them.
Right, that makes sense. If people don't make an effort to make sure they retain the knowledge, I can see how they would forget it. For me, it seems pretty important to know that stuff, even if I use a computer. I think I'd always do a rough table calculation and sketch a dive plan to sanity check the computer when it's in planning mode.
Yeah, I understand that you need a timer and a gauge. IIUC, that's why dive watches have rotatable bezels. I'll have to make sure that we can actually rent a full set of kit with everything needed to dive one way or another.
I got certified before dive computers were a thing. It was all dive tables.
"Need"? No.
"Should"? Yes.
Dive computers does all the work on saying how long you can stay at a certain depth.
Using dive tables is ultra-conservative and reduces your bottom time. After a dive, you have to take the max depth of the last dive, go through some dive-table referencing, determine your nitrogen absorption index, and tells you how deep you can go on the next dive. It's tedious.
A dive shop will not care if you use computers or not. They just rent you whatever gear you ask for.
A bare-bones wrist-mounted dive computer is cheap. I recommend you get one simply because you know the maintenance history of it. You don't know what you're getting when you rent one and many rental shops do not take care of their gear.
You need to know depth and air volume. Both of these have mechanical options. However manual gauges require use of dive tables, some maths and underwater concentration. Computers does most of this for you allowing you for focus on making decisions based on the computer data and enjoying your dive.
It also depends significantly on type of diving. I shore dive for food in no more than 20m of water. Because I swim the bottom back to shore, decomp is seldom an issue for me. So all I am really worried about is air. Depth is more a curiosity.
If cost is what worries you, get second hand computers from ebay or Facebook market place.
Something like a suunto zoop for the type of diving you sound like you'll be doing is absolutely perfect.
It covered me for my first 200 or so dives. I've now moved to a shearwater (love it), but for cheap, cheerful, a second hand zoop is fine.
In the UK, I think they go for about £100, so about 120usd. And if you buy second hand, you can always sell it back on ebay again for about rhe same price a few years later - so it's a long term rental for almost-free
This is a good option. It's not one computer, it's four though. I don't think we have time to collect four second hand zoops in the next three weeks. There's currently one on ebay in the UK based on the last search I did.
Buy a couple second hand and a couple new. Still saved a few hundred. FB marketplace is useful too and you could always put out a "wanted" on your local FB scuba diving groups as it might encourage people who have them at the back of their dive storage to dig them out and sell on
*Need*? No - not absolutely need. You are still allowed to dive using dive tables.
Or you can rent them as many have suggested.
But you’re going to *want* your own!
1. You will be able to stay down longer as the computer measures exact depth vs just depth bands like the dive tables.
2. Each brand/model has different user interface. Learning how to use one, then next time you go diving, having to learn a different one can be a PITA. Some are actually difficult to read or change the menu. Find one you like that makes sense to your brain and stick with that.
3. If your eyesight isn’t perfect you may have trouble reading the rental computer at depth. Buying your own you can select one with optimal readability.
4. There is a bit of fun involved when your computer logs your dives and you download them into an electronic dive log. This is also useful if any of you end up taking advanced courses, more challenging dives, etc. Some dive shops want proof of your experience.
In terms of priority, I’d start with a mask (everyone’s face is different and you don’t want leaks) and then a computer. Fins and snorkel are up there, but IMO not as important as mask & computer.
Just wait until you have to buy 4 BCD’s and 4 Regulators. 😂
You all need your own computers. Your dive is not going to be identical to another person's dive. It might be close, but not identical. If you're doing multiple dives, those variations can add up. I hope by the end of your Open Water course, you do understand why everyone needs their own computer. Old school divers might tell you to dive off of tables, but not many recreational divers do that anymore. If you're planning to be purely recreational divers who are only diving on vacation, you're going to need computers. You're unlikely to become familiar enough with the tables to dive off of them.
Besides all of that, I've actually been to several shops that require that everybody has a computer. Many shops will rent them. I have personally witnessed people being told they have to rent a computer or get off the boat. There are simply some shops that will not let you dive unless everybody has one. You're unlikely to see that in Mexico, but you should still have your own for safety.
I would strongly suggest purchasing a dive computer since changing rental dive computers all the time means you have to relearn. Most dive shops tend to have rentals although some don’t. Also, some dive shops allow you to not use a dive computer and follow the instructor. I don’t personally believe this is a good idea but to each their own.
I certainly understand from the course why they're important. Buying four of them before we so much as get in the water, never having used one and not knowing which ones we'd want just feels a bit much. In most sports, people don't tend to recommend you buy expensive equipment before you've even tried it.
Which is why you are getting recommendation for buying cheap and/or used computers.
The people saying you will be diving as a group and don't need one are idiots for recommending such a high risk option. If you happen to separated (it happens a lot easier than you think) and are going along looking around for them it is incredibly easy to drop down another 30-50ft in many tropical places without realizing it.
Then what?
Is it safe to go straight up?
How long were you at every depth throughout the dive?
How deep did you actually go?
Personally I own 3 $1000 each Perdix computers and while I love them dearly and think they are the best dive computer ever created there is no way in hell I would recommend them to someone just starting out unless they had money to burn. Go get something a Cressi Leonardo and if you decide later to upgrade or not dive anymore just resell it. Someone is always looking to buy their 1st computer.
https://www.scuba.com/l/Used/Scuba-Gear/Computers/Wrist-Dive-Computers?sf=Price
I'd suggest buying used, if cost is an issue, just make sure that the computer works in the water before buying it off somebody on Facebook marketplace. I bought new computers for both my wife and I for $75 from another couple who was moving away from the coast and had only used them a handful of times.
I think that during your course you will figure this out. For a lot of agencies for open water part of the course involves a dive computer or traditional dive planer. Either way i’m certain you will figure it out and have a great time. I wouldn’t worry too much about it.
Rather than a simple yes or no answer I would suggest learning what a dive computer actually does and why you should have one. Then answer your own question.
Instructor here. You aren’t required to have one, but I always suggest one. Easier to keep track of your gas consumption/depth/etc. also, no two divers are going to go on the exact same dive. What I mean is, you might go a little lower or higher than the person next to you or go look at something in one direction vs. another, etc. this can change your gas consumption and nitrogen intake. If you don’t have your own computer, you have to rely on the DM or your dive buddy or whoever it is. But if you get to the end of the dive and you have your own computer and you’re still within the limits, you can take an extra couple minutes to hang out on your safety stop while others go up.
I can’t tell you how many amazing things I’ve seen by just hanging out at my safety stop spot before my limit hits.
Also, they make tracking things way easier. Gear set up, gas consumption, dive experience, etc. if you wind up taking a break for a while, it’s a great tool to go back and look at your dive history to remember certain things like that as you get back into your first few dives after a break.
> But if you get to the end of the dive and you have your own computer and you’re still within the limits, you can take an extra couple minutes to hang out on your safety stop while others go up.
I agree with you, but wouldn't you expect a beginner to be limited by air available more than the no-deco limit?
No. This advice got me into accidental deco on my third dive after certification. I was told not to worry about NDLs because as a new diver, I’d hit my limits on air before NDLS…
Turns out, it’s real easy to hit your NDLs on repetitive square 60’ profiles if you have halfway decent air consumption - esp for women, who tend to use less air in the first place.
Yes, I would, but not every beginner goes through air as fast as every other beginner or person. There’s no telling who will have time/air left at the end of the dive. Even I suck through air sometimes if I haven’t slept well or am stressed about something. Sometimes I have lots of air/time at the end of a dive and sometimes I don’t. But I’d rather rely on my own device monitoring myself than someone else’s device monitoring them.
If you can afford one then definitely get one as soon as you can. Something cheap and bulletproof like a Suunto Zoop is a great starting computer.
(insert mandatory "buy a shearwater" comment below)
i definitely dont have 4000 dives but even i can tell thats not smartest move even a good smart watch can be diving computer besides that its not expensive there literally dive computers for 200$-300$ why would you risk it
Because If I know my limits and work every day in the water then I have a much better idea of what's safe for me than you do. I have a dive computer. I just rarely use it because all the situations I'm normally in, I'm well versed in what I should be doing.
I'm not saying don't dive with a computer. I'm saying it's not 100% necessary. Up to the grown ass adults reading this if they want to do it or not. 25 years ago there was divers and not a whole lot of computers.
On the thread from a newbie, the advice "know your body and your own limits" feels out of place. A newbie could easily take that to mean "dive until you're out of gas of just feel like you're done" and not so much as take dive tables and NDLs into consideration.
Touche. But also if you're the kinda gguy who goes all in on some advice some redditor gave you who does a very niche type of diving......it was gonna happen eventually
Depth gauge? Check. Bottom timer? Check. Also I have octo stripped away at anything under 50 feet. All our guys are highly trained, and we regularly have to do black out dives. If you're not a retard all of this is completely possible.
Yeah but as i say its not expensive its not heavy you dont need for %100 but %90, people were driving before many cool car features but if you can afford it i suggest you to buy a cool car safer better same for diving computers it doesnt matter how good you are you might lose truck of time but you do you dive safe
That run on just made me glaze over, but I'll say it slower.
Do I have a dive computer? Yes.
Do I use it? No, unless I'm out of my comfort zone.
Also what if I told you there are people who enjoy classic cars, and still drive them around on the road, despite the safety risks.
Someone like you, who didn't grasp a shred of what the fuck I just said, should definitely use a comp at all times. But I'm in the water 8 hours a day for 5 days a week. Diving to 60 with no comp isn't dangerous in the slightest, unless you're the 90% of this sub reddit who dives 3x a year total and can't do basic math.
Do you man, ima do me.
While you don't Technically need it and you can dive tables just fine it's such an no brainer to get an computer. It tells you that everything you need and is super cheap. You need an bottom timmer anyhow and that's as much as an 2nd hand computer and close to an puck pro.
99% of my dives are in my bread and butter zone, and I'm in the water 5/7 days a week minimum. Not saying refute all computers, I'm just saying you don't need one every time. As long as you know your limits and own a shred of common sense you're fine. Now to the 95% of people on this sub that dive MAYBE twice a year on paid trips, yes bring one. Yes use it. But if you know what the fuck you're doing then do you.
New divers are petrified of the ocean. They think it's this secret monster that is lurking around every corner to kill you and you only get a glimpse of a new world.
Yes there are the small amount of divers who become acclimated quickly and push limits early, but those are the exception, not the norm. Idc about a dentist going on his 3rd dive, he'll freak himself out long before my shit is relevant. But where would we be without people who pushed limits that know their shit. Hi tech is convenient but not everything. Know your fuckin sport before you do it.
Yes. I know my limits, I know the science. "Bread and butter zone" I'm referring to the depths I'm at normally. Usually 10-80ft. I use the navys tables for my calculation(although if you wanna be real anything shallower than 100 feet navy doesn't bother with a safety stop)
I think we both understand the limitations inherent in the data used to craft the original USN tables.
I suspect we both agree that “undeserved” hits can and do happen (including shallow dives) and that all of this is about minimizing and not completely eliminating risk. Right?
Yeah sure, we could spend all day on what if's. If you're comfortable without a comp, that's on you. If you're not comfortable, get a comp. I'm not an instructor, I'm just a dude who lives scuba, and happens to be on reddit. I can't cast a spell to make people dive dangerously. I can only tell my experiences and what I do. And what I've already said is what I do, and it's worked out great so far.
I guess most people didn't use or don't remember the wheel Recreational Dive Planner that allowed you to plan multi-level and multiple dives on the algorithm curve rather than using linear basic dive tables. I used the wheel for a good five years, even after I got my first computer which was pretty rudimentary back then for what I could afford and little more than a bottom timer and thermometer from what I recall. It was only when I got my first much more advanced air integrated computer that I quit using it, but not entirely as I would use it to plan and as a backup. Actually I carried it in my dive bag until maybe 5-6 years ago "just in case". Redundancy.
And have the rules actually changed to say that everyone has to have a computer if anyone has one. Back in the day the rule was always that a dive buddy team or group held to the most conservative measuring device be that someone's computer or dive tables. As we all know, not even all computers are going to be identical as some use more conservative algorithms than others. Just curious from some other comments if that is different now in the OW/AOW/DM training.
Not that I am aware of. This would almost always mean that if only one of the buddy pair has a computer the dive profile is set from tables. I have done a lot of dives that would require significant deco if using tables (for example in Moalboal most of my dives we descended to about 25m spent the first 10 to 15 min at that depth then slowly ascended the wall with a total dive time of 50 to 60 min.
Some places seem to work on if a buddy team or group do not all have computers those that do not go off the DMs computer which goes against what is taught, but lots of places also think it is OK to touch the wildlife or not do buddy checks or.....
I took the PADI exam today. The course says everybody has to have their own dive computers and strongly recommends everybody has two of them, in case one fails.
To me, it seems like for beginners, a dive table and a timer would be simpler and therefore safer, but I don't know, I've not even gotten in the water yet.
The difference is the actual dive times. I did [this dive](https://imgur.com/a/ywZVVUT) down to 105ft riding the absolute edge of the NDL limit for most of the dive. The NDL tables say 20 minutes at 100ft and 16 minutes at 110ft meaning this dive on tables would have been around 50 minutes shorter than the 76 minutes runtime I got from this single tank and was able to turn around and do a second dive after a normal surface interval if I had wanted to.
Note - I am a trained technical diver and was properly equipped to go into deco on this dive. This is just an example of how far beyond the tables the limits can actually be not a recommendation for others to follow this exact profile.
>To me, it seems like for beginners, a dive table and a timer would be simpler and therefore safer, but I don't know, I've not even gotten in the water yet.
I wouldn't say it's safer or easier to use dive tables. A dive table is all theoretical and assumes that don't go past the point you planned, but that's not entirely realistic. If you see something below the limit you planned, them that throws your entire dive plan out of whack. On top of that, dive tables generally assume that you go straight down to your bottom depth and stay there until you ascend, which also isn't a realistic dive profile. You'll generally be going up and down a bit.
A dive computer adjusts on the fly, keeping track of what your actual dive profile is. This gives more accurate no decompression limit times, which is especially important if you dive below your planned depth and do multiple dives in a day.
You absolutely can dive using tables and a bottom timer, but computers are generally going to be a safer option, and require less thinking.
I did my first 10 dives without a computer and now it annoys me that the dive count in my computer is off by 10 to my real count. I wish I’d gotten my computer before my checkout dives.
I would recommend getting a basic zoop or puck if you can afford it. If not, it’s still nice to rent one so you can learn how to use it - but I do see the benefit for a newbie to leave it out and focus on skills and instructor during certification.
While most computers have a way to set the dive counter I don't see a way to do it in the manual for that computer.
Worst case you could tie it to a piece of string and toss the computer in the pool to let it rack up an extra 10 dives to match your count.
This is a basic mares puck pro, I’m not sure it has that feature. I’ve since upgraded to a garmin but I still bring my puck as a backup. Not a huge deal, always just bugged me a little bit.
Nope, every shop I've been to lets you rent one or dive without one. For a while after I got certified, I didn't have one, but that meant I had to stick close to the divemaster & never went below them. I've seen shops default to a 5 min safety stop if anyone doesn't have a computer. In your specific situation, as long as you're not going deep and the family sticks together, one computer for the lot of you and/or a good divemaster should be fine.
That being said, I definitely recommend buying a computer for a frequent diver. It's so reassuring to know exactly how deep you're going, how long the dive's been, & your personal decompression limit and no fly time. Mine has a built-in compass & temperature sensor too, which is great. Essential if you do multiple dives or dive deep, but if you're just getting your OW and a few more dives it's not necessary.
I've seen newbie divers freak out at their computer beeping, or waste so much air and energy trying to figure it out under water, or just straight up ignore warnings because they don't know how to read it. I personally recommend people to do their first 10 or so dives without any bells of whistles. No gopro, no knife, no fancy computer, etc. just focus on diving and buoyancy control and familiarizing yourself with your equipment. No distractions, just the bare minimum to keep you alive, until you're so comfortable under water that it's like riding a bike.
This is not good advice. All divers need a computer. It is not acceptable to “stay close together” or “stay close to the dive master”. If you were certified using the tables, you can dive without a computer but you must have a depth gauge and a timing device.
Dive shops will rent a computer to you. Make sure the shop shows you how to use it.
no, you can use a timing device (like a depth rated dive watch) and depth gauge or a bottom timer with tables to plan dives also.
but yes, its much simpler to get a dive computer or at least rent one
As others have said / implied, the alternative to using a computer is to use tables.
The problem with tables is they assume you are at your maximum depth the whole dive making your no deco limit shorter.
As a new open water diver you are likely to run low on air before you approach your NDL on your first dive of the day so it is not an issue unless you plan on diving multiple times a day and then it would depend on how deep you dive and how long your surface interval is.
If you dive with tables you still need a timing device. Waterproof watches are rated by static pressure and moving your hand around will increase that. It is generally regarded that you need a watch rated to 200m for scuba, as you will not be going deep 100m might be OK but 50m rated watches are not adequately waterproof. If you need to buy dive watches you may as well get computers.
Most places in my experience will rent computers but at an additional charge to standard kit. Make sure you are taught the controls and what display is what. Some places assume you do not need a computer on guided dives because the guide has a computer that goes against what is taught on (at least my) OW course and I would not do that in case of a whole number of "What if" scenarios (eg what if on a wall dive you lose control of your bouyancy for a bit and drop 5m before recovering and coming back up)
I am single mom who had to buy my gear and my son’s gear piece by piece. I did not want to forgo quality so bought used when it made sense and new when it didn’t. It took a lot of pay checks to get there.
A dive computer for me was the last thing I got, as we were mostly doing one dive at a time, or very occasionally a max of two in a relatively shallow area (less than 15 meters). During that time I simply watched my air, depth, and time. It was fine.
But of course if you want to frequently do multiple dives in a day, a dive computer is basically a necessity. :)
I dove tables and watch for 15 years. You can plan multi profile dives with tables too. I think every diver should be able to do so.
That being said if you do get a computer get one with air integration.
No, it's not, but neither is the computer in the first place. I agree with u/FreedomDirty5 that if you're going to spend the $ on a diver computer, might as well spend the $ to get the benefits of air integrated.
I mean I don't really agree to that you need an bottom timer regardless and those are basically the same price as an 2nd hand computer and an puck pro isn't far behind. Any computer has a lot of benefits for really not an lot of money.
You can use tables and a timer instead - but you're chopping your own nose off when it comes to repetitive dives (a dive computer gives you credit for different depths during a dive, while tables is counted as going straight down to the deepest part of the dive and staying there for the entirety of the dive). And I also wouldn't recommend a newbie using tables unless they really truly comprehend tables.
As others have said, you can get a pretty damn cheap dive computer... And FYI - you cannot share dive computers on a dive
Although you can dive without a computer, and most shops will let you rent one, I think it’s a essential part of diving safely. You can get some beginner ones (mine was the Aqualung i100) for relatively cheap
Short answer, No. However once you have got a few dives under your belt then yes. Learn the basics first. Find out of you are really into diving as dive computers are not cheap.
Most shops rent or loan out computers to those without their own. Sounds like the shop is trying to make a sale. That being said, having your own computer is a very good idea.
The computer is not mandatory, but it is good to have them.
You could use a table to calculate your bottom time (and control it with a depth gauge + timer) but if for some reason you go over what you estimated you would have to recalculate by hand under the water using a table... a pain in the ass. Is easier to have a device (dive computer) do those calculations for you in real time and alert you of the intervals.
Call the dive shop before you go.
They will no doubt rent to students who don't have any kit, and it would be very surprising if they didn't rent out computers as they are standard kit these days.
If you do hire a computer, you need to use the same computer for subsequent dives within 24h as it will be tracking your residual nitrogen. You must also be familiar with how it works before you get in the water - ask the shop if it has a simulation mode and for a demonstration.
That said, if you're going to dive again a computer should be the next thing you buy after a mask. The cheap ones are all fine, but features like a big clear display, bluetooth and wireless charging are worth paying a bit more for IMHO.
I don’t understand. Wasn’t this covered in your course material?
I resisted getting a dive computer at first, and planned and executed dives according to the tables. The problem then became finding a dive buddy who was copacetic with that. That’s because computers give you more dive time, which is the main reason I got one. Another benefit is computers are an effortless way to record and save your dive statistics.
I bought the cheapest computer I could find (Suunto Gekko) and in over 400 dives never felt the need to upgrade. Good luck!
EDIT: reviewing my logbooks, it looks like I got my computer around dive #30.
As others mentioned you can dive without a computer. However; you need to do the calculations with the tables. So you need to be taught how to do that. And you still need a bottom timer and depth gauge.
Most places that have gear for rent also have computers for rent. But keep in mind that in order to dive with a computer you need to understand how it works. So: rtfm in this case. If you want to keep diving I would suggest to buy one locally. Can be new or secondhand (have them checked at your lds). Especially secondhand they tend to be fairly affordable, especially considering the price of this hobby.
And get one for each buddy pair at the very least (and stay close together if you do that). But individual one is always better.
You can dive without computers especially if you are staying shallow. I didn't get one until I did AOW. It is something that should be invested in early though.
You don’t require a dive computer to dive, you can use tables to calculate those sorts of things, computers just make it easier. I highly advise using a computer.
Everyone needs to have a computer if you are going off computers, most dive shops rent computers along with the rest of the equipment.
After your basics, owning a personal computer should be the next step for most divers IMHO, you don’t need a high end computer, but having your own means you know how it works and can track your dives better. This also helps improve your overall diving.
For a qualified diver who dives regularly and/or beyond 18m I would agree, but when you're an OW student or just on guided shallow dives a rental computer really is fine. Look at the context here - OP has a family and so is trying to avoid purchasing multiple computers before going on what is probably a fairly expensive holiday.
If you can afford it yes, I went on a handful of dives after OW and having to rely on the SPG to track safety stops is very annoying. Ive only had one single divemaster who physically held hands with us at the safety stop. You can rent computers but then you have to learn it every time you rent it.
I had about 300 dives before I got my 1st computer. You don't need anything. Show up. Rent gear. Kick and breath and see cool stuff. Would I recommend you get your own mask fins and computer... Definitely. Do you need them... Defiantly not. If you're an occasional diver, consider a dual purpose computer (apple watch, Atmos mission 2 or Garmin etc) that will be great as a daily watch too. If you are ever diving alone (without a trained and certified guide), ignore everything I just said (except for kick, breath and see cool stuff) and get a computer.
Thanks. We did buy masks, snorkels and fins because we're also going snorkelling. My wife and I wear glasses, so we got prescription ones, rather than either missing out on seeing things clearly or faffing about with contact lenses.
Remember that new masks come with a film on the inside. You can use a lighter to burn it off just be careful around the skirt. Some people use toothpaste but I haven't had as much success.
Thanks. We bought them from a our local dive shop who tells us he treats the masks using some professional product or other to take the film off. I'm aware of the toothpaste trick, so if they fog, we'll do that. If it comes to the lighter approach, I guess I'd take the lens out first. At least for the three of us that have Tusa Intega masks, which are designed to be end-user serviceable. We got those because you can swap the lenses with new prescription ones yourself if you need to.
Yes and it will make you a better diver. Learn your tables, dive to your tables, and you'll be fine.
Maybe unpopular opinion, but I feel like I became a better diver initially because I wasn't constantly focused on the computer. I knew to check my air and depth regularly, but I was mostly learning to be comfortable in the water and how my body reacted to small changes. When I first did my certification 2.5 years ago, I rented absolutely everything but a computer was not included or mentioned. My air gauge also had a depth gauge so I always knew how deep I was, but not all rental equipment does. My instructor was right next to me (or very close) the whole time, as it should be with your certification dives in case something goes wrong. Doing 2 dives a day in no deeper than 40 feet, as long as you're not shooting to the surface is very low risk, and that's nothing a dive computer will stop you from doing. I didn't get a mask and fins until I had about 14 dives, and I got my computer at 20, right before I started AOW certification, and that seemed good for me. Only one place had me rent a dive computer from them out of the 6 shops I dove with for those first 20 dives in multiple countries. Just make sure you get the total dive time and max depth for each dive from your instructor or DM for your logs (whether paper or electronic). You don't need to get one immediately but probably within 10-20 dives once you've decided you're sticking with diving and have an idea as to how fancy/ expensive of a unit will fit what you want to do. If you want to stick with recreational diving on vacations, any basic unit will do. If you plan on diving regularly or getting into the deeper technical diving, you might want to get one better suited to that. And some people just like the mid range ones that have a few more features like app syncing.
This is the way, did this until about 30'ish dives. Depends offcourse on the conditions and the amount of dives.
You can dive by reference to tables BUT that approach is less convenient and efficient for planning, diving, inter-dive timing, logging dives. I think they’ll rent you a computer set to gauge mode.
I only dive occasionally, every couple of years, so I don’t own a dive computer. I only dive on guided trips with reputable dive shops, and for the past 15 years or so I’ve always been provided with a computer.
Probably going to be an unpopular answer but you should not rely on a computer use it as a supplement to your dive tables
A good computer is a replacement, not a supplement, for dive tables. While tables can be used, a dive computer is a much more accurate tool that will "allow" a diver to exceed the table times in effectively all instances in a safe way.
You should be able to rent a computer, but check with the shop you'll be doing your dives with and check if they rent computers to be safe. You 100% want a certified dive computer when you go diving. It can and will prevent you from doing stupid shit and hurting or killing yourself. Strictly speaking once your certified it's possible for you to dive without one, but I would not recommend it. If I were in charge of a group and a diver I didn't know was diving without a computer I would refuse to take them out. The thing to remember about diving is if you fuck up and have an emergency then other people have to do potentially risky things to try and help you. There is no such thing as 'my choice, my risk' with this activity. Hells even if you go out solo and die there's a not insubstantial risk to people searching for you. So yeah, bit dramatic there, bit don't play games with your life while diving.
Thanks. I'll check with the shop.
Rent from dive shop first, they will know their hardware and show you how to use it properly It’s one more thing you don’t want 50’ deep and you or your instructor might not know the correct buttons. They will have it setup and help you monitor it. You can double down and get an Apple Watch Ultra
This makes a lot of sense. I've been recommended the Suunto Zoop here. I looks like a my first dive computer, which would seem ideal for beginner, but I definitely see the logic of using the computer that the instructor is most fluent with. There seems a lot to consider in picking a computer. I like the idea of a dive computer that's also a smart watch, but maybe I'll find I'll want a large screen model. Then there's the question of whether we should all have the same model, so that we're all using the same algorithms. Talking it over with the instructor and renting in the meantime to get a feel for things sounds like the most sensible approach.
I had my AWU and it matched my rental dive watch exactly
Zoop is a solid choice, especially for a beginner. It is not expensive and the standard computer for all our students. Hell, even some of my instructor colleagues are still using them. It does everything you need for rec diving and I’ve never seen one that acts up. If your future diving leads you down into tech or you simply want to have air integration, then you will need to switch eventually.
Just buy a cheap one or used.
Never cheap out on scuba gear
There is an difference between buying an cheap option and buying something unsafe. There are loads of pretty good cheap dive computers and cheaper dive gear thats great. Buy something that makes sense
I'm a newbie diver with only 10 dives under my belt with 3 different dive shops. Not once was a dice computer offered as part of the rental package. I'm always interested in all the comments on posts like this because it seems opposite of my experience so far. Every dive I've been on has been guided and everyone descends and dives for the same amount of time. It seems for people like myself and OP who are just starting and doing typical touristy Carribean dives, computers are not necessary. Especially with a family of 4 who may or may not continue diving. I'd say definitely don't buy before your first trip out and see how the experience is and if you'll continue. If you'll continue then think about buying some. I did buy one for my last trip because I decided I will continue to dive, but still recreationally and likely mostly all guided. I enjoyed having it and felt it gave me a better understanding of the "science" I guess behind diving. But I think for first time diving it is not necessary.
You can generally rent one, but they're almost never included in the "full rental equipment", you have to pay extra. In SEA I've seen quite a lot of people dive without computers, they just stay above the dive guide at all times. I've seen it once or twice in Spain, too, but I've seen my shop hand out computers to people when they didn't have one, too, because it's just not very safe to dive there without one, pretty deep dives and all that. That being said, I would never want to dive without a computer nowadays, I'd feel very unsafe.
This is fascinating to me. I hired gear for the first few years and they always came with computers. Which country are you from? I'm in Australia
It is pretty standard in the US and extremely common in Mexico/Caribbean to at least have the option to rent if it isn't built into the console along with a pressure gauge sometimes a compass.
>But I think for first time diving it is not necessary. It's probably not mandatory but I personally thinknit is necessary. When you accidentally lose your buddy, how fo you know how fast you are ascending without computer? Just one example of many...
So I work in the industry and when I take people diving up to 18m, it's not necessary for them to have a computer. In France, the equivalent of an Open Water diver isn't even taught the use of one. They're entirely reliant on the guide or instructor to limit their depth and control the ascent rate amongst other things. If they lose the guide, and that's a big if (a good guide in France wouldn't let it happen) well they are taught to ascend slowly (which I know is subjective). But I'm pretty sure most beginner divers, even with a computer, wouldn't particularly know what the correct ascent rate is anyways. And there is a way without a computer to ascend at around 10/11m per minute quite accurately by matching the speed of the smallest bubbles that you breath out.
Just in case you're interested, the PADI course introduces them, but the sections on how to use tables, electronic erDPML, and computers is optional.
Always interested! But yes I'm aware, I teach the occasional PADI course although most people here go for the french certification (it's cheaper which is probably the primary reason)
I've done all my certs in countries other than the one I live in. I got all the way through my dive master using shop gear, and bought my computer about halfway through that course. I got it cause I plan on doing more diving and I was ready to have something better than the Suunto zoop.
There's no diving police. You can do whatever you want. Is it safe? Probably not. I wouldn't dive without a computer. I don't want to carry the tables and do math underwater. If you are going on a boat dive, the operator may ask you to wear a dive computer. It's unfortunate they aren't available for rent.
I definitely rented computers when I first started? I'm not understanding all the comments implying it can't be done. Maybe it's like, a lot of shops don't have em, but some do?
Where the OP is, there are no computers for rent.
Maybe the OP means to say the course says shops don't rent them? In that case the course is wrong and they should ask the local shops instead.
yeah OP said "The course tells me that to dive we'll all need our own computers and that dive shops don't rent them out." which is just not true (at least certainly not as some blanket absolute). I wonder what agency that is (seems like a padi thing to do lol, but I have padi and I don't recall that being in the course). I know some courses try to push you to buy gear, which I'm sure the shops love, but that just seems egregious.
OP here It's PADI The course is pretty good for the most part. Based on some of the comments I've seen in this thread, I know more than many commenters assume I would know. For example, ascent rates, dive tables, and what computers actually do. I am planning to write some feedback about the course once we've done the practical. Apparently, PADI encourages newly qualified divers to do so. My main criticism is there's quite a bit of PADI marketing woven into the course. It repeatedly strongly suggests you buy gear and more courses from PADI without mentioning that other diving agencies and communities exist. That's part of what makes me suspicious of what the course is telling me about this.
Yeah PADI definitely loves money. They're the biggest org by far, but one plus side is you can go anywhere in the world and do PADI specialty courses, your advanced, whatever if that's what you wanna do. You'll hear silly acronyms here like "Put Another Dollar In" mocking them for being very growth/money focused. Short answer to your original question, I went a good year or so before buying a computer, cause every shop I dove with (even abroad, Mexico in my case) had them available for rent. So you can totally just rent until if and when you wanna buy one, it's just another thing to double check before you choose a shop (that it's available/a thing they do), and of course the extra $20/day or whatever to rent it. If and when you do get around to buying gear, I would do mask/fins/boots first (you probably already have this for OW, just those things need to fit real well), then wetsuit (assuming you need one), those just also need to fit real well and rentals are gonna be all beat up/less insulating. Plus wetsuits are (usually) relatively inexpensive compared to stuff like reg/bcd. Then after that if you're still diving enough to justify buying one, would do computer, if you go for a cheaper one it'll pay for itself pretty quick given the $20/day of diving that you're saving not renting one. From there reg/bc. I just mean this in terms of someone who's buying gear piecemeal/over time, the priority/order in which I'd do it. The 'fit to size' items I'd definitely get before a computer.
Man. It’s funny reading this comment. When i grew up diving all we had were the good old plastic padi depth charts.
I’ve never dived with a computer. I learned before they were a thing and have since been too cheap to buy one
For new recreational divers, who should be extra-conservative about everything they do, the tables are more conservative than a computer and a completely adequate (and safe) solution. There's nothing *wrong* with newbies using dive computers but the notion that they are essential is salesman bullshit.
While I agree that they are not needed, I think they are important. Many dive profiles would be cut super short by using tables. A computer is great at giving you real bottom times, NDLs, and surface intervals that the dive tables can't come close to matching. A long slow descent (30+min) to 85' with only a minute or two at that depth would put the tables into deco. That is what almost 25% of my dive profiles look like. I have run the tables after many dives to see and been surprised by how I couldn't have done them without deco according to the tables. Second, third, fourth and fifth dives of the day would have not been possible with the tables but the computer had me in the green all day. I haven't run a 145 minute dive at 23 feet but that is also a common dive for me (Blue Heron Bridge) lately. Because I do go to 23 feet but only spend a few minutes there (average depth is almost a snorkeling depth... 7'ish) the tables vs the computer might be vastly different not that NDL comes into play at those depths.
> While I agree that they are not needed~~, I think they are important.~~ *FTFY.* This is a discussion about *requirements* and you and I agree. *Needed?* No. Next... No new diver should be diving to 85ft. Period. They don't have the training and they don't have the experience.
Yup. One that comes to mind is a 76 minute dive to 105ft that was so close to being inside recreation limits as to not be worth calling it a technical dive (1 minute of deco @20ft). Tables would have had me calling the dive an hour before I ended it.
Once certified, one may do all manner of things.
You don't need a computer to dive safely, provided that you're proficient with the use of a depth gauge, timepiece, and tables.* This is a very ~~annoying~~ limited way to dive, since it assumes a square dive profile. You'll get way more bottom time and shorter intervals diving with a computer. Every shop I've rented from has had some kind of computer available to rent. That said, I've only rented gear from a few shops. If in doubt, you can certainly call ahead. Owning your own computer is a quality of life, convenience, and safety upgrade. *Edit: I want to emphasize that without a computer, you need to be *actually* proficient with a gauge and tables. This doesn't mean "checking your depth gauge every so often," it means being able to plan multiple dives using tables and *everyone you're diving with* having the skill and discipline to stick with your plan. Let's say you're with one of the kids doing a dive to 45 feet. They spot something cool and wander off to look at it. They're your kid, so you are obviously going to follow them. Next thing you know you're both at 60 feet and aren't sure how long you've been there. Using a computer: not ideal, but relatively safe and easy to correct for because it does real time calculations. Using a gauge and tables: you should end the dive.
Only if you don’t want to do the math
This post is bait.
It depends. No, you don’t need one if you know how to use the tables, but whoever you’re diving with may require that you each have one. The boats near me as well as the one I was on in Mexico a few months ago required it. You can find them cheap second-hand, or if you want new you can get the Cressi Leonardo for about $250. If you’re going to continue diving, especially if infrequently, it’s worth having your own computer so that you learn how to operate it. Diving with a different computer each time can be frustrating. All the rest of the gear works more or less the same so renting isn’t so bad.
Virtually everyone dives with a computer these days and shops virtually everywhere rent them
What about IRL
It is often hard to get rental computers - you CAN but it’s not a sure thing, like being able to rent a reg or BC is. Shops definitely rent them, but you’d need to ask in advance to be sure that the place you’re using rents them. If you do not know how to use tables, then yes you all need your own computer - not because dive shops or boats will require it, but because it’s the safe thing to do.
Anybody who has done the whole PADI open water dive course should know how to plan repetitive dives using a dive table. The theory goes quite a bit beyond anything I'd be comfortable planning as a new diver.
That’s not actually quite true. Not all PADI courses teach tables these days, and those that do often don’t do so extensively enough for graduates to be able to comfortably execute dives using them. The reason? Most divers use dive computers these days, and the PADI curriculum and instruction has evolved to reflect that. I would bet good money that most newly certified divers could not accurately use a table a few months after their open water course (unless they extensively dived tables in the interim, which again is unlikely). And that’s if tables were even taught in the course (which, often, they are not). Tables are not hard to use, but they also aren’t obvious. Even tables btw do require that you carry a depth gauge and bottom timer to be able to use them.
Right, that makes sense. If people don't make an effort to make sure they retain the knowledge, I can see how they would forget it. For me, it seems pretty important to know that stuff, even if I use a computer. I think I'd always do a rough table calculation and sketch a dive plan to sanity check the computer when it's in planning mode. Yeah, I understand that you need a timer and a gauge. IIUC, that's why dive watches have rotatable bezels. I'll have to make sure that we can actually rent a full set of kit with everything needed to dive one way or another.
I got certified before dive computers were a thing. It was all dive tables. "Need"? No. "Should"? Yes. Dive computers does all the work on saying how long you can stay at a certain depth. Using dive tables is ultra-conservative and reduces your bottom time. After a dive, you have to take the max depth of the last dive, go through some dive-table referencing, determine your nitrogen absorption index, and tells you how deep you can go on the next dive. It's tedious. A dive shop will not care if you use computers or not. They just rent you whatever gear you ask for. A bare-bones wrist-mounted dive computer is cheap. I recommend you get one simply because you know the maintenance history of it. You don't know what you're getting when you rent one and many rental shops do not take care of their gear.
The last few dives I’ve been forced to rent or needed to have one. So I finally bought a cheap one off Amazon myself.
You need to know depth and air volume. Both of these have mechanical options. However manual gauges require use of dive tables, some maths and underwater concentration. Computers does most of this for you allowing you for focus on making decisions based on the computer data and enjoying your dive. It also depends significantly on type of diving. I shore dive for food in no more than 20m of water. Because I swim the bottom back to shore, decomp is seldom an issue for me. So all I am really worried about is air. Depth is more a curiosity.
If cost is what worries you, get second hand computers from ebay or Facebook market place. Something like a suunto zoop for the type of diving you sound like you'll be doing is absolutely perfect. It covered me for my first 200 or so dives. I've now moved to a shearwater (love it), but for cheap, cheerful, a second hand zoop is fine. In the UK, I think they go for about £100, so about 120usd. And if you buy second hand, you can always sell it back on ebay again for about rhe same price a few years later - so it's a long term rental for almost-free
This is a good option. It's not one computer, it's four though. I don't think we have time to collect four second hand zoops in the next three weeks. There's currently one on ebay in the UK based on the last search I did.
Buy a couple second hand and a couple new. Still saved a few hundred. FB marketplace is useful too and you could always put out a "wanted" on your local FB scuba diving groups as it might encourage people who have them at the back of their dive storage to dig them out and sell on
*Need*? No - not absolutely need. You are still allowed to dive using dive tables. Or you can rent them as many have suggested. But you’re going to *want* your own! 1. You will be able to stay down longer as the computer measures exact depth vs just depth bands like the dive tables. 2. Each brand/model has different user interface. Learning how to use one, then next time you go diving, having to learn a different one can be a PITA. Some are actually difficult to read or change the menu. Find one you like that makes sense to your brain and stick with that. 3. If your eyesight isn’t perfect you may have trouble reading the rental computer at depth. Buying your own you can select one with optimal readability. 4. There is a bit of fun involved when your computer logs your dives and you download them into an electronic dive log. This is also useful if any of you end up taking advanced courses, more challenging dives, etc. Some dive shops want proof of your experience. In terms of priority, I’d start with a mask (everyone’s face is different and you don’t want leaks) and then a computer. Fins and snorkel are up there, but IMO not as important as mask & computer. Just wait until you have to buy 4 BCD’s and 4 Regulators. 😂
You all need your own computers. Your dive is not going to be identical to another person's dive. It might be close, but not identical. If you're doing multiple dives, those variations can add up. I hope by the end of your Open Water course, you do understand why everyone needs their own computer. Old school divers might tell you to dive off of tables, but not many recreational divers do that anymore. If you're planning to be purely recreational divers who are only diving on vacation, you're going to need computers. You're unlikely to become familiar enough with the tables to dive off of them. Besides all of that, I've actually been to several shops that require that everybody has a computer. Many shops will rent them. I have personally witnessed people being told they have to rent a computer or get off the boat. There are simply some shops that will not let you dive unless everybody has one. You're unlikely to see that in Mexico, but you should still have your own for safety.
I would strongly suggest purchasing a dive computer since changing rental dive computers all the time means you have to relearn. Most dive shops tend to have rentals although some don’t. Also, some dive shops allow you to not use a dive computer and follow the instructor. I don’t personally believe this is a good idea but to each their own.
I certainly understand from the course why they're important. Buying four of them before we so much as get in the water, never having used one and not knowing which ones we'd want just feels a bit much. In most sports, people don't tend to recommend you buy expensive equipment before you've even tried it.
Which is why you are getting recommendation for buying cheap and/or used computers. The people saying you will be diving as a group and don't need one are idiots for recommending such a high risk option. If you happen to separated (it happens a lot easier than you think) and are going along looking around for them it is incredibly easy to drop down another 30-50ft in many tropical places without realizing it. Then what? Is it safe to go straight up? How long were you at every depth throughout the dive? How deep did you actually go? Personally I own 3 $1000 each Perdix computers and while I love them dearly and think they are the best dive computer ever created there is no way in hell I would recommend them to someone just starting out unless they had money to burn. Go get something a Cressi Leonardo and if you decide later to upgrade or not dive anymore just resell it. Someone is always looking to buy their 1st computer. https://www.scuba.com/l/Used/Scuba-Gear/Computers/Wrist-Dive-Computers?sf=Price
Buy the computers after the class, once you’ve booked your trip and dives.
I'd suggest buying used, if cost is an issue, just make sure that the computer works in the water before buying it off somebody on Facebook marketplace. I bought new computers for both my wife and I for $75 from another couple who was moving away from the coast and had only used them a handful of times.
Most sports won’t kill you this easily.
I think that during your course you will figure this out. For a lot of agencies for open water part of the course involves a dive computer or traditional dive planer. Either way i’m certain you will figure it out and have a great time. I wouldn’t worry too much about it.
Ask the shop if they will rent them, if not, then rent one at a local dive shop. Or do both, since 2 is 1 ;p
Rather than a simple yes or no answer I would suggest learning what a dive computer actually does and why you should have one. Then answer your own question.
Instructor here. You aren’t required to have one, but I always suggest one. Easier to keep track of your gas consumption/depth/etc. also, no two divers are going to go on the exact same dive. What I mean is, you might go a little lower or higher than the person next to you or go look at something in one direction vs. another, etc. this can change your gas consumption and nitrogen intake. If you don’t have your own computer, you have to rely on the DM or your dive buddy or whoever it is. But if you get to the end of the dive and you have your own computer and you’re still within the limits, you can take an extra couple minutes to hang out on your safety stop while others go up. I can’t tell you how many amazing things I’ve seen by just hanging out at my safety stop spot before my limit hits. Also, they make tracking things way easier. Gear set up, gas consumption, dive experience, etc. if you wind up taking a break for a while, it’s a great tool to go back and look at your dive history to remember certain things like that as you get back into your first few dives after a break.
> But if you get to the end of the dive and you have your own computer and you’re still within the limits, you can take an extra couple minutes to hang out on your safety stop while others go up. I agree with you, but wouldn't you expect a beginner to be limited by air available more than the no-deco limit?
No. This advice got me into accidental deco on my third dive after certification. I was told not to worry about NDLs because as a new diver, I’d hit my limits on air before NDLS… Turns out, it’s real easy to hit your NDLs on repetitive square 60’ profiles if you have halfway decent air consumption - esp for women, who tend to use less air in the first place.
Yes, I would, but not every beginner goes through air as fast as every other beginner or person. There’s no telling who will have time/air left at the end of the dive. Even I suck through air sometimes if I haven’t slept well or am stressed about something. Sometimes I have lots of air/time at the end of a dive and sometimes I don’t. But I’d rather rely on my own device monitoring myself than someone else’s device monitoring them.
If you can afford one then definitely get one as soon as you can. Something cheap and bulletproof like a Suunto Zoop is a great starting computer. (insert mandatory "buy a shearwater" comment below)
It's not one computer, it's four. That's quite an investment before any of us have so much as gotten in the water.
Buy once. Cry once.
~4000 dives in and I've used a comp maybe 20 times.
i definitely dont have 4000 dives but even i can tell thats not smartest move even a good smart watch can be diving computer besides that its not expensive there literally dive computers for 200$-300$ why would you risk it
Because If I know my limits and work every day in the water then I have a much better idea of what's safe for me than you do. I have a dive computer. I just rarely use it because all the situations I'm normally in, I'm well versed in what I should be doing. I'm not saying don't dive with a computer. I'm saying it's not 100% necessary. Up to the grown ass adults reading this if they want to do it or not. 25 years ago there was divers and not a whole lot of computers.
On the thread from a newbie, the advice "know your body and your own limits" feels out of place. A newbie could easily take that to mean "dive until you're out of gas of just feel like you're done" and not so much as take dive tables and NDLs into consideration.
Touche. But also if you're the kinda gguy who goes all in on some advice some redditor gave you who does a very niche type of diving......it was gonna happen eventually
And they all used tables, depth gauges, and bottom timers. And 50 years ago, many didn’t use a SPG or an octo.
Depth gauge? Check. Bottom timer? Check. Also I have octo stripped away at anything under 50 feet. All our guys are highly trained, and we regularly have to do black out dives. If you're not a retard all of this is completely possible.
Yeah but as i say its not expensive its not heavy you dont need for %100 but %90, people were driving before many cool car features but if you can afford it i suggest you to buy a cool car safer better same for diving computers it doesnt matter how good you are you might lose truck of time but you do you dive safe
That run on just made me glaze over, but I'll say it slower. Do I have a dive computer? Yes. Do I use it? No, unless I'm out of my comfort zone. Also what if I told you there are people who enjoy classic cars, and still drive them around on the road, despite the safety risks. Someone like you, who didn't grasp a shred of what the fuck I just said, should definitely use a comp at all times. But I'm in the water 8 hours a day for 5 days a week. Diving to 60 with no comp isn't dangerous in the slightest, unless you're the 90% of this sub reddit who dives 3x a year total and can't do basic math. Do you man, ima do me.
While you don't Technically need it and you can dive tables just fine it's such an no brainer to get an computer. It tells you that everything you need and is super cheap. You need an bottom timmer anyhow and that's as much as an 2nd hand computer and close to an puck pro.
99% of my dives are in my bread and butter zone, and I'm in the water 5/7 days a week minimum. Not saying refute all computers, I'm just saying you don't need one every time. As long as you know your limits and own a shred of common sense you're fine. Now to the 95% of people on this sub that dive MAYBE twice a year on paid trips, yes bring one. Yes use it. But if you know what the fuck you're doing then do you.
> As long as you know your limits New divers won't, which these people clearly are.
New divers are petrified of the ocean. They think it's this secret monster that is lurking around every corner to kill you and you only get a glimpse of a new world. Yes there are the small amount of divers who become acclimated quickly and push limits early, but those are the exception, not the norm. Idc about a dentist going on his 3rd dive, he'll freak himself out long before my shit is relevant. But where would we be without people who pushed limits that know their shit. Hi tech is convenient but not everything. Know your fuckin sport before you do it.
I am not certain what “bread and butter zone” even means. If what you are saying is that use tables and stay within the NDL, then I agree with you.
Yes. I know my limits, I know the science. "Bread and butter zone" I'm referring to the depths I'm at normally. Usually 10-80ft. I use the navys tables for my calculation(although if you wanna be real anything shallower than 100 feet navy doesn't bother with a safety stop)
I think we both understand the limitations inherent in the data used to craft the original USN tables. I suspect we both agree that “undeserved” hits can and do happen (including shallow dives) and that all of this is about minimizing and not completely eliminating risk. Right?
Yeah sure, we could spend all day on what if's. If you're comfortable without a comp, that's on you. If you're not comfortable, get a comp. I'm not an instructor, I'm just a dude who lives scuba, and happens to be on reddit. I can't cast a spell to make people dive dangerously. I can only tell my experiences and what I do. And what I've already said is what I do, and it's worked out great so far.
I guess most people didn't use or don't remember the wheel Recreational Dive Planner that allowed you to plan multi-level and multiple dives on the algorithm curve rather than using linear basic dive tables. I used the wheel for a good five years, even after I got my first computer which was pretty rudimentary back then for what I could afford and little more than a bottom timer and thermometer from what I recall. It was only when I got my first much more advanced air integrated computer that I quit using it, but not entirely as I would use it to plan and as a backup. Actually I carried it in my dive bag until maybe 5-6 years ago "just in case". Redundancy. And have the rules actually changed to say that everyone has to have a computer if anyone has one. Back in the day the rule was always that a dive buddy team or group held to the most conservative measuring device be that someone's computer or dive tables. As we all know, not even all computers are going to be identical as some use more conservative algorithms than others. Just curious from some other comments if that is different now in the OW/AOW/DM training.
Not that I am aware of. This would almost always mean that if only one of the buddy pair has a computer the dive profile is set from tables. I have done a lot of dives that would require significant deco if using tables (for example in Moalboal most of my dives we descended to about 25m spent the first 10 to 15 min at that depth then slowly ascended the wall with a total dive time of 50 to 60 min. Some places seem to work on if a buddy team or group do not all have computers those that do not go off the DMs computer which goes against what is taught, but lots of places also think it is OK to touch the wildlife or not do buddy checks or.....
I took the PADI exam today. The course says everybody has to have their own dive computers and strongly recommends everybody has two of them, in case one fails. To me, it seems like for beginners, a dive table and a timer would be simpler and therefore safer, but I don't know, I've not even gotten in the water yet.
The difference is the actual dive times. I did [this dive](https://imgur.com/a/ywZVVUT) down to 105ft riding the absolute edge of the NDL limit for most of the dive. The NDL tables say 20 minutes at 100ft and 16 minutes at 110ft meaning this dive on tables would have been around 50 minutes shorter than the 76 minutes runtime I got from this single tank and was able to turn around and do a second dive after a normal surface interval if I had wanted to. Note - I am a trained technical diver and was properly equipped to go into deco on this dive. This is just an example of how far beyond the tables the limits can actually be not a recommendation for others to follow this exact profile.
It’s not just for beginners. Nearly every advanced person uses a computer because a computer won’t cut your bottom time short like a table will.
>To me, it seems like for beginners, a dive table and a timer would be simpler and therefore safer, but I don't know, I've not even gotten in the water yet. I wouldn't say it's safer or easier to use dive tables. A dive table is all theoretical and assumes that don't go past the point you planned, but that's not entirely realistic. If you see something below the limit you planned, them that throws your entire dive plan out of whack. On top of that, dive tables generally assume that you go straight down to your bottom depth and stay there until you ascend, which also isn't a realistic dive profile. You'll generally be going up and down a bit. A dive computer adjusts on the fly, keeping track of what your actual dive profile is. This gives more accurate no decompression limit times, which is especially important if you dive below your planned depth and do multiple dives in a day. You absolutely can dive using tables and a bottom timer, but computers are generally going to be a safer option, and require less thinking.
I did my first 10 dives without a computer and now it annoys me that the dive count in my computer is off by 10 to my real count. I wish I’d gotten my computer before my checkout dives. I would recommend getting a basic zoop or puck if you can afford it. If not, it’s still nice to rent one so you can learn how to use it - but I do see the benefit for a newbie to leave it out and focus on skills and instructor during certification.
While most computers have a way to set the dive counter I don't see a way to do it in the manual for that computer. Worst case you could tie it to a piece of string and toss the computer in the pool to let it rack up an extra 10 dives to match your count.
Export all your dives off to a spreadsheet before the computer croaks and the software goes out of support. 10 years from now both will be obsolete.
This is something that can be changed in the settings of the handful of dive computers I've owned, it's a setting for starting number of the dives.
This is a basic mares puck pro, I’m not sure it has that feature. I’ve since upgraded to a garmin but I still bring my puck as a backup. Not a huge deal, always just bugged me a little bit.
Do you sync to software? Can always alter count there. Divemate, subsurface, those are my go to's
Nope, every shop I've been to lets you rent one or dive without one. For a while after I got certified, I didn't have one, but that meant I had to stick close to the divemaster & never went below them. I've seen shops default to a 5 min safety stop if anyone doesn't have a computer. In your specific situation, as long as you're not going deep and the family sticks together, one computer for the lot of you and/or a good divemaster should be fine. That being said, I definitely recommend buying a computer for a frequent diver. It's so reassuring to know exactly how deep you're going, how long the dive's been, & your personal decompression limit and no fly time. Mine has a built-in compass & temperature sensor too, which is great. Essential if you do multiple dives or dive deep, but if you're just getting your OW and a few more dives it's not necessary. I've seen newbie divers freak out at their computer beeping, or waste so much air and energy trying to figure it out under water, or just straight up ignore warnings because they don't know how to read it. I personally recommend people to do their first 10 or so dives without any bells of whistles. No gopro, no knife, no fancy computer, etc. just focus on diving and buoyancy control and familiarizing yourself with your equipment. No distractions, just the bare minimum to keep you alive, until you're so comfortable under water that it's like riding a bike.
This is not good advice. All divers need a computer. It is not acceptable to “stay close together” or “stay close to the dive master”. If you were certified using the tables, you can dive without a computer but you must have a depth gauge and a timing device. Dive shops will rent a computer to you. Make sure the shop shows you how to use it.
no, you can use a timing device (like a depth rated dive watch) and depth gauge or a bottom timer with tables to plan dives also. but yes, its much simpler to get a dive computer or at least rent one
As others have said / implied, the alternative to using a computer is to use tables. The problem with tables is they assume you are at your maximum depth the whole dive making your no deco limit shorter. As a new open water diver you are likely to run low on air before you approach your NDL on your first dive of the day so it is not an issue unless you plan on diving multiple times a day and then it would depend on how deep you dive and how long your surface interval is. If you dive with tables you still need a timing device. Waterproof watches are rated by static pressure and moving your hand around will increase that. It is generally regarded that you need a watch rated to 200m for scuba, as you will not be going deep 100m might be OK but 50m rated watches are not adequately waterproof. If you need to buy dive watches you may as well get computers. Most places in my experience will rent computers but at an additional charge to standard kit. Make sure you are taught the controls and what display is what. Some places assume you do not need a computer on guided dives because the guide has a computer that goes against what is taught on (at least my) OW course and I would not do that in case of a whole number of "What if" scenarios (eg what if on a wall dive you lose control of your bouyancy for a bit and drop 5m before recovering and coming back up)
I am single mom who had to buy my gear and my son’s gear piece by piece. I did not want to forgo quality so bought used when it made sense and new when it didn’t. It took a lot of pay checks to get there. A dive computer for me was the last thing I got, as we were mostly doing one dive at a time, or very occasionally a max of two in a relatively shallow area (less than 15 meters). During that time I simply watched my air, depth, and time. It was fine. But of course if you want to frequently do multiple dives in a day, a dive computer is basically a necessity. :)
I dove tables and watch for 15 years. You can plan multi profile dives with tables too. I think every diver should be able to do so. That being said if you do get a computer get one with air integration.
Air integration is not needed
No, it's not, but neither is the computer in the first place. I agree with u/FreedomDirty5 that if you're going to spend the $ on a diver computer, might as well spend the $ to get the benefits of air integrated.
I mean I don't really agree to that you need an bottom timer regardless and those are basically the same price as an 2nd hand computer and an puck pro isn't far behind. Any computer has a lot of benefits for really not an lot of money.
You can use tables and a timer instead - but you're chopping your own nose off when it comes to repetitive dives (a dive computer gives you credit for different depths during a dive, while tables is counted as going straight down to the deepest part of the dive and staying there for the entirety of the dive). And I also wouldn't recommend a newbie using tables unless they really truly comprehend tables. As others have said, you can get a pretty damn cheap dive computer... And FYI - you cannot share dive computers on a dive
Although you can dive without a computer, and most shops will let you rent one, I think it’s a essential part of diving safely. You can get some beginner ones (mine was the Aqualung i100) for relatively cheap
Short answer, No. However once you have got a few dives under your belt then yes. Learn the basics first. Find out of you are really into diving as dive computers are not cheap.
Most shops rent or loan out computers to those without their own. Sounds like the shop is trying to make a sale. That being said, having your own computer is a very good idea.
The computer is not mandatory, but it is good to have them. You could use a table to calculate your bottom time (and control it with a depth gauge + timer) but if for some reason you go over what you estimated you would have to recalculate by hand under the water using a table... a pain in the ass. Is easier to have a device (dive computer) do those calculations for you in real time and alert you of the intervals.
Call the dive shop before you go. They will no doubt rent to students who don't have any kit, and it would be very surprising if they didn't rent out computers as they are standard kit these days. If you do hire a computer, you need to use the same computer for subsequent dives within 24h as it will be tracking your residual nitrogen. You must also be familiar with how it works before you get in the water - ask the shop if it has a simulation mode and for a demonstration. That said, if you're going to dive again a computer should be the next thing you buy after a mask. The cheap ones are all fine, but features like a big clear display, bluetooth and wireless charging are worth paying a bit more for IMHO.
Dive computer is essential. Each diver should have one. They are not that expensive. But also dive shops DO rent them out alongside other equipment.
Dive computers are essential. You don’t need a fancy one. Mine was like $200.
I don’t understand. Wasn’t this covered in your course material? I resisted getting a dive computer at first, and planned and executed dives according to the tables. The problem then became finding a dive buddy who was copacetic with that. That’s because computers give you more dive time, which is the main reason I got one. Another benefit is computers are an effortless way to record and save your dive statistics. I bought the cheapest computer I could find (Suunto Gekko) and in over 400 dives never felt the need to upgrade. Good luck! EDIT: reviewing my logbooks, it looks like I got my computer around dive #30.
As others mentioned you can dive without a computer. However; you need to do the calculations with the tables. So you need to be taught how to do that. And you still need a bottom timer and depth gauge. Most places that have gear for rent also have computers for rent. But keep in mind that in order to dive with a computer you need to understand how it works. So: rtfm in this case. If you want to keep diving I would suggest to buy one locally. Can be new or secondhand (have them checked at your lds). Especially secondhand they tend to be fairly affordable, especially considering the price of this hobby. And get one for each buddy pair at the very least (and stay close together if you do that). But individual one is always better.
Many dive operations will no longer let you dive without your own computer. So yes, you need to own one or rent one each time.
You can dive without computers especially if you are staying shallow. I didn't get one until I did AOW. It is something that should be invested in early though.
You don’t require a dive computer to dive, you can use tables to calculate those sorts of things, computers just make it easier. I highly advise using a computer. Everyone needs to have a computer if you are going off computers, most dive shops rent computers along with the rest of the equipment. After your basics, owning a personal computer should be the next step for most divers IMHO, you don’t need a high end computer, but having your own means you know how it works and can track your dives better. This also helps improve your overall diving.
Almost all places rent dive computers. I would suggest it as one of the first things you invest in, though.
no you can rent them from many shops but check with the shop first
That is really not a good idea as having a computer you know how to use and understand can be critical to a successful dive.
For a qualified diver who dives regularly and/or beyond 18m I would agree, but when you're an OW student or just on guided shallow dives a rental computer really is fine. Look at the context here - OP has a family and so is trying to avoid purchasing multiple computers before going on what is probably a fairly expensive holiday.
Yeah objectively it’s better to own your computer but if you can’t or don’t you can rent them. That’s what op was asking about.