Is you buddy's computer an acceptable back-up?

[MxDiver]

This commentary has come up a couple of times on other threads, so I like to know how some of you feel about this. In an exclusively recreational scenario, if your computer malfunctions do you consider your buddy’s computer a backup?

I think if is a single dive or the first one in a series (by first I mean the very first one of the diving trip, if over several days, not of the day) it could be ok. Other ways I don’t think it is.

[ScubaToys Larry]

It depends if you mean backup or back-up. If my computer goes out, and I don't have a backup, I am budding up, and then going up. I will hang with my buddy to make a nice slow ascent, then a good long safety stop, then to the surface.

That is my procedure - but I've never had to use it... never had a computer go out at depth.

[MxDiver]

I meant backup, it's been edited.

[Suther2136]

I gotta go with Larry. If your AI computer goes bye bye you have no tank pressure, time to go up.

[BuzzGA]

I might use a buddy's computer to double check a max depth (even though I have a computer I still wear a watch as a back up for time) but if I don't know how much air I have its to the surface I go

[cummings66]

I would refer to his for depth and time data, and the safety stop. It would not be my backup however because like todays dive I was 10 feet lower than my buddy because I had a 7mm on and he had a 3mm on. I was below the thermocline and he was above it. Quite a different dive profile.

[Zenagirl]

I agree, my buddy's computer is only a "backup" in the sense that it'll help make sure I get to the surface slowly enough. Also because I always dive with the same buddy, I know that I usually have at least 200psi more in my tank than him, so as long as he has enough air to do a long safety stop (we like to do 5 min stops), I know I have plenty as well.

[Buoyant1]

I'm not AI, so I'm not dependant on the computer for pressure etc... I can still use my buddies as a timer, and rely upon my gauge for depth...since I always back up with tables, I can keep diving.

[deepdiver47]

I always have my own backup computer as I dive with a Vyper and a Mosquito. Always think that you are solo diver.
I do 16-18 dives per week (when I dive that is) so I need to have my own backup based on a repetitive dive scenario

[plot]

purely recreational diving, i goto the surface if computer malfunctions. i'm not holding hands with my buddy the entire time so our dive profiles can be considerably different