Should I Run my Backup Computer in Gauge Mode #askmark #scuba @ScubaDiverMagazine
@souswes
#askmark let’s say you’re using a mares puck or similar and upgrade to a shearwater. You want to run both computers for redundancy. The obvious issue is that they run different deco algorithms. Should you just run gauge mode and use tables for a backup or is it okay to run both computers? They say to rely on the more conservative computer, but what if that’s the one that malfunctions? Thanks in advance!
#scuba #scubadiving #scubadiver
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Thanks for the video response. I should have clarified I was asking from the perspective of one who enjoys and is qualified to solo dive. The redundancy required is a bottom timer and depth gauge and a flood would end the dive, but I just got to thinking more and more and was curious.
Great explanation and apparently a controversial topic from the comments 😅
👍😎🤿🇵🇭very interesting! Thanks.
I think it’s a bit of overkill on a rec dive, you can always accent of your buddy computer, since you pretty much done for the day anyway 😅
I take a second DC on vacations abroad, and keep it in my room.
Backup DC on recreational dives? Why?
Why not? If you have one available it’s a good idea to just take it with you. If one fails you can still continue your dive
@Ulf I have a set of spare fins , should i take them with me as well? Just in case mine fails ? 🤣
@Amadeuss In solo or technical diving you carry a redundant mask, air source, buoyancy device, flash lights, computer (or bottom timer and depth gauge)…tons of reasons for knowing the difference and what is best depending on knowing what the two computers are telling you.
I also carry zip ties in case the fin strap breaks 😊
@souswes “solo” “tech” diving.
The topic is about “rec” diving.
I have no doubt in “tech” you carry 2 of everything maybe even 3 , but it’s a totally different game.
@Amadeuss …I asked the question. I’m fully aware of what the topic is covering.
It’s redundancy. Which is SOP of solo OR technical diving.
#askmark Hi Mark I am thinking to get rescue GPS and not sure what to choose. I am garmin user so was thinking to go for inreach mini2 but I see lot of people use nautilus lifeline. What would be better to have ? Pros and cons. Thanks
This is such a huge topic and unfortunately there’s no one right answer.
I’ll have to read up on the inReach, as far as I know it requires a monthly subscription and I’m not sure how useful it is as far as giving Emergency Services your exact location.
The Lifeline has the benefit that it doesn’t involve Emergency Services but, it does give boats in the area with the correct system your exact location on their screen.
If you look up scuba diving PLBs you will find a lot of forum conversations about the pros and cons of certain systems.
@Scuba Diver Magazine thank you 😊 I am mainly focusing on diving only. So I think lifeline will be best bet. As it will be diving on liveaboards or vacations.
Sorry to say I’ve also got to comply with my pre-commentators. When using a second computer as a backup it should be in dive mode. Especially when making multi level dives on a drive trip, it’s hard to calculate your saturation/pressure groups, since you have to calculate all previous dives. It’s easy to drive of the table this way.
I used to dive with the PADI-Wheel and have calculated all PG after each dive. But it was often borderline to stay in NDL with the Wheel even if the dive was NDL with RGBM in medium. (Things to keep busy during your surface interval)
When diving with a backup computer and making sure both computers are clear before surfacing, you can keep on diving on one computer if the other one failes. If the algorithms are different you’ll be driving the most conservative one during dives with the backup. When one failes you’ll be still be driving the most conservative working computer.
I think you should have your backup on full dive mode since the whole purpose of using it is to have a backup if your main dive computer fails. You don’t want to be locked out for 48 hours if you are on a dive trip to some exotic location and miss out on dives.
I use a Suunto Eon Core as my main dive computer and a Garmin Descent Mk1 as backup. They have different algorithms, but with the Descent in medium conservatism there is very little difference between the two. The most noticeable is that the Descent has a fixed safety stop time and the Eon Core is dynamic. The beeps are turned off on the backup.
4 comments, but i got feeling, there is no understanding of Gauge mode. Gauge mode is the same as bottom timer. If you have 2 computers and the second is in gauge, it is usually because their algorithms differ a lot (e.g. Suunto RGBM vs. Shearwater). In case of gauge mode, during technical dive, you have emergency ascent plan in your wetnotes, So you dont need to wait 24 hours for next dive. Who uses gauge mode should be able to get the all the decompression information from other source.
And finally there are agencies like GUE, UTD or ISE, which teach ratio deco, where you dont need dive computer at all. See e.g. https://youtu.be/c560eMVDqXo
hm…
in my opinion there is no need for the gauge mode in recreational diving as long as the 2 dive computers do not differ in the ndl more than a few (e.g. 2 to 4) minutes. no mather which algorythm they calculate and no mather which of them “dies” the other can bring you save to the surface. the other advantage is that both computers have almost matching saturation information so you can end even a diving safari with your “backup” computer.
in the tec diving segment most divers (I know) use dive computers with the same deco model or a bottom timer and a little math (e.g. minimum deco/ratio deco) to end the dive in a save way or continue the dive as planed in the runtime table….
I don’t often disagree with you, but this is definitely one of those times.
You can use the Gauge mode if there are serious issues with your dive computer functioning for the dive you’re on, but if you want to use it as a backup in case your other one fails, it should be in full mode. Turn the audible alarms off if you can, or act on them. At worst you’re being too conservative, and that’s not such a bad thing.
If your main dive computer fails, and you have to use the other one as a back up, you can safely surface using the back-up’s profile. Just adhere to the decompression stops the back up tells you to adhere to. After you surface, stick with the Surface Interval the back up tells you, and plan your following dives accordingly.
You set it to Gauge mode, and your main computer dies, your dive is over right there and then. You surface to what you have planned before your dive, and no more dives for the next 24 hours. Then what’s the point of a back up dive computer. That’s the same as if you didn’t have a back up.
I don’t get the need for gauge mode. Turn the alarms of the back up off. If you are diving with two different algorithms and your primary fails, isn’t it “as if” you were diving the backup from the start of the dive? For recreational purposes you could finish the dive and worse case, sit out a second dive for that day. If you are on a trip and there is any question, wait 24 hours and your tissues should clear enough to continue with the backup.
I guess I tend to look at purchases from a simplistic perspective and I’d buy another dive computer with the same algorithms. Is this naive or practical?🤿🇦🇺😎👍
Well i my opinion if one is to run 2 computer for redundancy , they must at least have the same algorythm if they are not completely identical , because , how is it a redundancy if it dosent even display the same calculations ? A watch and depth gauge is better at this point … also if any of the 2 computer fails , dive is over , simple as that , assuming your are a recreational diver you have no mandatory deco so no need for 2 computers let alone 2 different algorythms computers , does my opinion make any sens 🤔