decompression capabilities

[justadncr]

I am new here and have a question. My husband and I became certified to OWD when we planned a trip to visit my daughter who is in the Peace Corp in Micronesia.
She dives fairly regularly and would like a basic dive computer for her birthday. I don't want to spend too much so I was looking at the Aeris XR 1 wrist computer but it says it"s "decompression capability" goes from 10 to 60 ft.
What exactly does that mean?. I know she dives to 80 feet fairly regularly to see the Manta Rays. Will it not work at that depth?

[hooligan]

I don't have any experience personally with the Aeris XR1, other than that it is a very basic computer. You said she dives fairly regularly so she may be served better by something a bit more robust. The Oceanic Geo (Oceanic Geo Nitrox Dive Computer, Computers-Wrist Units, Oceanic, Oceanic Geo Nitrox Dive Computer) may be a better choice. It has features that she can continue to use if she gets additional certs such as Nitrox. Granted it is more expensive, but she would not have to replace it if she continues on in scuba training. Remember, you can get an extra 10% off with ScubaToys now that you are a forum member, so that puts the geo at $270. I just bought one for my wife and it is a great computer.

If you give ScubaToys a call, they can probably answer your questions about it.

[justadncr]

I will take a look at that one also. She has talked about getting further cert. Do most divers end up using Nitrox? When we got certified they talked like it was unusual.

[bubbletrubble]

The short answer to your question is an emphatic "yes," the dive computer will continue to work below a depth of 60 ft.

The "decompression capability" range (10 ft - 60 ft) that you mentioned refers to the computer's ability to calculate decompression times for the given stop depths. This is a feature of the computer which becomes an issue only after the computer goes into "deco mode," meaning that the diver has exceeded the no decompression limits (NDLs) for a given depth. Without going into anymore detail, this is on par with what "most" dive computers do.

This is VERY different from saying that the computer will only calculate NDLs in the range of 10 - 60 ft. Almost any dive computer on the market will display NDLs deeper than your daughter will ever go. :-)

If your daughter is doing decompression diving that requires stops greater than 60 feet, I would classify what she does as "technical diving." She would not be asking for a "basic dive computer." She would likely be asking for either a simple bottom timer...or a super-expensive ($1000+) tri-mix-capable computer.

I agree that you should buy her a dive computer that is nitrox-capable. This extra functionality does not cost that much more...and it will probably prove useful as she does more diving in the future. Nowadays nitrox gas is becoming more widely available. It's really great for multiple dives during a day...and multi-day diving. A diver would experience both on a dive vacation.

Hope this info helps.

Congrats on getting OW certified. Have fun and dive safe.

[stairman]

That is correct.When ascending its a good idea to make a 1 minute stop at 1/2 your max depth obtained.And then keep an eye and ear out for another stop,which will most likely be the safety stop at 15-20 ft.It will flash deco,with the depth and stop time if other stops are needed.Having a backup D.C is important to me for obvious reasons.Nitrox is very usefull in the 50-100ft range,and can keep you from having to do extra deco due to less nitrogen loading.

[justadncr]

Thanks for the advice. The geo does look good. Anyone have it and have against buying?

[justadncr]

So do you guys really think Nitrox is available on the island of Yap Micronesia? It is pretty remote. Is Nitrox easy for them to make? What is it comprised of?

[ianr33]

Certainly looks like nitrox is available in Yap
Divernet | Red Sea | FREE NITROX IN YAP

Aeris makes great computers. Nitrox computers are not a lot more $$$$ than air computers. Go for the nitrox version if cost is not a huge issue.

[Geoff_T]

Originally Posted by justadncr

So do you guys really think Nitrox is available on the island of Yap Micronesia? It is pretty remote. Is Nitrox easy for them to make? What is it comprised of?

I would think that it would be, you can find it just about anywhere. And no it is not particularly hard to make. In principal you can do it with just an O2 analyzer and a bottle of 100% O2. That is the simple answer though since I am assuming that you do not dive, and I would rather not load you down with the long technical answer.

[lemon lime]

Originally Posted by justadncr

So do you guys really think Nitrox is available on the island of Yap Micronesia? It is pretty remote. Is Nitrox easy for them to make? What is it comprised of?

Nitrox is just a gas mix with increased oxygen. The most common commercial mix is 32% O2, but it can vary. It allows divers to have longer No Deco Limits. Like Geoff_T said, it's pretty easy to mix. I'm sure it would be easily accessible in Micronesia. The diving industry there is pretty big.