DC - conservitive vs. aggressive

[SynCitizen]

I came across this snippet while reading about "how to pick a dive computer" article. I know this is in the most layman of terms but it got me thinking about algorithms and what ones are preferred and why. If someone knows and can share the basics... (also in layman terms)

My DC (Suunto Cobra) allows for adjusting the conservatism to some degree but how much does it really change the profiles?

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Conservative vs. aggressive

• This refers to the amount of bottom time allowed by the computer- aggressive giving you more bottom time than conservative
• Some dive computers are conservative on deep dives and aggressive on shallow dives
• You should select one that fits your diving style and your comfort level for safety
• Many computers will allow you to control this by adjusting for differing dive conditions

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[James1010]

I prefer the most conservative computers just to minimize the danger window. I don't know and some could answer it but how much is the window of more bottom time vs other computers that are more conservative. From what I have seen is it isn't that much. But if you want to push it to that level go for it. I would add a little more deco time of course to be safe.

[fireflock]

I look at the computer as a guide more than as a set of hard and fast rules you have to follow. There's nothing that says you have to stay under until the big number hits 0, and there's nothing that will blow up or explode if the 0 turns to a very small amount of DECO. You should understand how to handle the situation, and that takes some training I guess.

All computers make a guess of what is happening inside your body. In truth, all recreational dive computers are pretty conservative. You don't hear about lots of divers (there are some) who suffer some ill effects when their computer says they should be fine.

People in the conservative computer camp like the extra margin of safety and say it forces then to dive a safer profile.

People in the less conservative camp like the flexibility and realize that they can always make the computer more conservative by coming up before the computer says you have to, slow ascents, long safety stops, etc...

Ironically, I used to dive with one of the least conservative dive computers around, but now use one of the more conservative set to be more flexible. I dive the same profiles I always have. Since I seldom do more than 3 dives a day it hasn't been a problem for me.

Sometimes the more conservative model does start flashing all sorts of warning signs, but we get them sorted out by the time my head breaks the surface without doing anything other than what I had originally planned.

I've thought more than once about going back to the less conservative models, but I like the form factor and display better on the one I dive now. The actual algorithm is less important to me, as long as they're close to each other.

Rich

[awap]

I prefer the most liberal (aggressive0 computers. It is so easy to manage them and make then however much more conservative you would like. It is pretty hard to add liberal to a conservative computer.

[ianr33]

Originally Posted by awap

I prefer the most liberal (aggressive0 computers. It is so easy to manage them and make then however much more conservative you would like. It is pretty hard to add liberal to a conservative computer.

Totally agree with that

Just because you have a car that will do 150 mph doesn't mean you have to drive it at that speed, but having a car that will only do 50 would get tedious.

[SynCitizen]

Are some brands considered more liberal than others? I have seen descriptions of some stating they are more liberal but what are they comparing that too? Others by the same manufacturer or is there an industry standard?

[monant]

My Suunto Vyper gave an indication for a safety stop last week after 50 minutes at 28 ft. It's set for the most bottom time. My next computer will probably be from a different manufacturer that doesn't want a safety stop unless diving deeper than 60 ft.

[ianr33]

Rodales Scuba diving has done some comparisons.

Suunto is generally considered to be conservative

I have an Aeris computer,its pretty aggressive. My personal preference is to surface with it in the green. I would need a very good reason to surface with it nudging deco at the top of the yellow.

[ianr33]

Originally Posted by monant

My Suunto Vyper gave an indication for a safety stop last week after 50 minutes at 28 ft. It's set for the most bottom time. My next computer will probably be from a different manufacturer that doesn't want a safety stop unless diving deeper than 60 ft.

That safety stop is just a suggestion from the computer though ? Can you not just ignore it when it makes no sense?

[monant]

Originally Posted by ianr33

That safety stop is just a suggestion from the computer though ? Can you not just ignore it when it makes no sense?

The safety stop is not a deco stop. I would be interested in statistics of instances of DCS before safety stops were widely used and after they began to be taught in OW classes.