Presumption is the Mother of Disasters, Part II: Undercurrent 10/2024

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This is the second part of our article on errors divers made, thanks to our humble readers who were willing to describe their errors so that others may benefit.

Know What Your Computer Tells You

Too many divers are unfamiliar with their computer displays and assume they always display the remaining No-Stop time. When a computer switches over to the mandated deco-stop mode, it displays what is often unfamiliar information, and some divers ignore that it now displays a downward pointing arrow, indicating they've missed a stop.

Less serious, but still significant, some divers get to a location such as Truk Lagoon, where they might spend longer at depth than they are accustomed to. While they have taken the precaution of carrying a backup computer, they find that the two display different decompression information because they rely on different algorithms.

Of course, divers should use computers with identical algorithms so they have identical backup information. It's surprising how many divers don't realize their computers (such as an Oceanic) provide the option to switch to another algorithm, for example, one similar to Suunto's algorithm. Did the dive store staff fail to mention this when demonstrating its use? Did the diver fail to read the manual carefully? We once wrote about a diver who intentionally left his backup computer behind on a dive because, on the previous dive, it locked him out when it went into the SOS mode. Why use a more conservative computer as backup?

"It wasn't worth the stress I put my dive buddy through."

Making one extra dive can mean outstaying your welcome with disastrous consequences. As Mìke Maremesh from Miami (FL), tells us:...

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