So I just bought the Aeris Atmos AI Nitrox Computer for my wife and I

[scubalanders]

As a beginner, I am a little overwhelmed. I have 6 dives under my belt. I am reading the book, but it seems llike there is so much info! I like my dive tables better haha JK.

I have read that a dive computer is only as good as the information you know to get from it.

So for the pros here. I'm going to the Blue Grotto this weekend to basically test and play with the computer. I am nitrox certified and will be diving nitrox this weekend.

Are there a few features that I should focus on to help me learn? Or should I bust my balls to learn as much as possible?

Maybe this is a stupid question, but I'd like to get your feedback. Everyone here as been so kind with my newbie questions.

[Xspect]

just spend some time playing with it. My wife also has one its a very simple and good computer.

[rox@ucf11]

the Blue Grotto in Williston Florida? I would caution you about going back in the cavern with only 6 dives but... as to the computer just play with it a bit you will get the hang of it

[scubalanders]

Originally Posted by rox@ucf11

the Blue Grotto in Williston Florida? I would caution you about going back in the cavern with only 6 dives but... as to the computer just play with it a bit you will get the hang of it

Thats where I got my certification and I am going with my scuba instructor, not diving by myself.

Thanks for the info, I guess my "just playing with it" is the way to go.

[ianr33]

All the Aeris computers are pretty aggressive.

Surface with it in the green,good
Surface in the yellow,hmmmmmm.....
Surface in the red (deco) and its gonna hurt.

Seriously though,not letting them go green before surfacing is a bad idea.
(I have no idea if Blue Grotto is deep enough to get anywhere near deco )

[rox@ucf11]

you can get down to around 100 feet

[rox@ucf11]

Originally Posted by scubalanders

Thats where I got my certification and I am going with my scuba instructor, not diving by myself.

Thanks for the info, I guess my "just playing with it" is the way to go.

obviously read the manual lol but keep in mind at least on my aeris atmos 2 you cant change seetings underwater ie if your using air or some precentage of nitrox, or if your computer is in metric or imperical etc. ask your instructor to show you how to set the settings correctly and then you should be good to go

[68raggtop]

Originally Posted by rox@ucf11

obviously read the manual lol but keep in mind at least on my aeris atmos 2 you cant change seetings underwater ie if your using air or some precentage of nitrox, or if your computer is in metric or imperical etc. ask your instructor to show you how to set the settings correctly and then you should be good to go

I agree. I have Atmos 2 also, if you are diving nitrox you will want to make sure you know if yours defaults to 50% at the surface interval before doing a second dive. Atmos 2 is set that way from the factory, but I don't know if Atmos AI is.

[rfb3]

My computer manual is one of the things (along with RDP cards, log book, and cert card) I keep in dry bag. I referred to the manual again week before last in the BVI. I have had the computer for years, but with extended time between using the features, its easy to forget...

[Wolfie2012]

Originally Posted by ianr33

Seriously though,not letting them go green before surfacing is a bad idea.

Now that's simply not true. There is no need to scare the OP. Aeris computers are certainly not conservative and typically give more bottom time than other computers that have a more conservative algorithm. This does not make them any more dangerous.

Obviously, if you can help it, you don't want to surface immediately if you accidentally go into deco mode and should know how to follow what length/depth stops the computer recommends.

However, surfacing in yellow isn't inherently dangerous - I have surfaced with the nitrogen loading bar in the yellow and have had no reservations about it whatsoever. Since decompression theory is exactly that - a theory - managing risk is something every diver deals with regardless of how conservative the computer is. There is no data suggesting that Aeris/Oceanic computers have higher instances of DCS than the more conservative Suunto computers, for example.

When to surface is a choice that each diver makes for himself based upon what they've been taught, their experience, and their comfort level. (and hopefully the plan that their buddy and they made prior to hitting the water).

That being said, to add to the responses related to the OP's question - one thing you should make sure you know is what the computer tells you when it goes into deco mode. Granted, this should never happen, but that makes it even more important to know what it's saying since you won't see it on every dive like a lot of the other features.