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From: Art Greenberg <artg@ec*.ne*>
To: ScottBonis@ao*.co*
Cc: thomas@ha*.ne*, donburke56@ya*.co*, techdiver@aquanaut.com
Date: Wed, 14 Jun 2000 07:43:27 -0400 (Eastern Daylight Time)
Subject: Re: Oxygen Toxicity - using 100% in open water
On Tue, 13 Jun 2000 ScottBonis@ao*.co* wrote:
> 
> But we're only talking about word games here.  The fact is that dive
> computers are a way of life in the recreational world and I believe
> that in the future, (and the not too distant future at that), they
> will undoubtedly be part of the technical diving community also

Bingo! Real-time decompression computers MAY IN THE FUTURE be suitable for
"technical" diving. They are far from useable at this time.

The largest concern is the fact that these devices DO NOT compute CORRECT
deco for most dive profiles, and they lack the flexibility provided by
several of the desktop decompression programs that enables a diver, based
on his experience and the experience of others as well as improved
understanding of decompression in the scientific community, to adjust his
decompression schedule. Now, I don't know about you, but executing a
planned deco dive with the wrong deco doesn't sound like a good idea to
me.

Frankly, I doubt that devices with sufficient flexibility will ever really
be produced. Mass-market manufacturers have too much at risk financially
to do that, especially given the litiginous (sp?) nature of our (North
American) society. Evidence the overly conservative profiles generated by
the current devices, and printed warnings in some user manuals that warn
the owner NOT to use the computer for planned decompression diving.

> (even now, how are closed circuit rebreathers controlled?).

Precisely. And precisely why they are inappropriate for lots of types of
diving.

> Rather than discussing whether or not they are applicable now, as I
> think we both know that they could certainly use some improvements in
> several areas, I believe we should be spending our time on correcting
> the present deficiencies of wrist diving computers and helping to make
> them more applicable for technical diving in the future.

We are. By shunning them, and using tools that provide appropriate
functionality. By learning how to compute proper decompression procedures
through experience and learning.

Using a faulty device will NEVER convince the manufacturer that it is
faulty. Quite the opposite ...

Depending on today's real-time decompression computer will:

- NEVER teach you anything about decompression
- NEVER support detailed dive planning (like planned bailout options)
- NEVER allow you to adjust the schedule and features to YOUR needs

-- 
Art Greenberg
artg@ec*.ne*






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