Dive planning - must have?

[Nawty]

I'm about to buy my first computer and although the Gekko seems to be the obvious choice it doesn't have dive planning. Thing is, being fairly new to this, I don't know if this is a serious drawback or not?

I am about to go on an unlimited diving holiday (including Advanced OW course) and I was wondering if it's necessary to have dive planning so I can tell when it's safe to get back in the water for whatever time/depth I am planning? Or, should I just use tables? my only thought there is that the tables won't take into account the different levels I've been at (which I guess the computer will?).

The other option would be to get the Apeks Quantum but I've been rather put off by the reliability issues I've been reading about.

Oh, I will probably (he says now) only be using this for holiday diving (Egypt/Thailand etc).

Any advice would be most welcome

[dct]

Nawty,

I am sure my Gekko has 'basic' dive planning. I.e. I can, whilst on a surface interval, put a depth in the computer and it will tell me the NDT for that depth. It is simplistic, as it works on one depth for the duration of the dive, but seems to suffice.

If you are sat on the boat, and you know the next dive is at 25m, you can easily see how much NDT you have at 25m. Is this what you want?

Daniel.

[Nawty]

Yes, I believe what I want really is that simplistic.

Thanks

[dct]

You are welcome.

[Luddite]

TBH I never use the dive planner. I put it on my wrist and do the 2nd dive. It tells me my NDL for the dive which I don't exceed. I come up and get out. Job done. Its a bad example but it is honest and I think a lot of people do it that way too.

Ok this is where every diver and their dog, cat or hamster has a go at me

[Garf]

Originally Posted by Luddite

TBH I never use the dive planner. I put it on my wrist and do the 2nd dive. It tells me my NDL for the dive which I don't exceed. I come up and get out. Job done. Its a bad example but it is honest and I think a lot of people do it that way too.

Ok this is where every diver and their dog, cat or hamster has a go at me

I dont think everyone will have a go at you, I suspect this is how a bazillion recreational divers do their dives with computers.

[yellowduke]

When you say unlimited diving does that mean you can drop in as much as you want so long as you have a buddy? For most of us unlimited diving tends to mean a max of four dives a day usually scheduled by the dive guide. This usually ensures good surface intervals and little need for much planning. The only people who i have seen planning their next dives have been those using tables. Computer users just drop in and let the computer tell them how much time they have.
Having the ability to plan a profile through your computer certainly wouldn't hurt, particularly for a deep dive. I think the best advice is buy a computer based on what you want it to do now and in the next few years. At the very least ensure it is a nitrox computer as anyone doing a lot of repetitive diving should really try and use nitrox.

Jim

[Nawty]

My wife and I are going to Marsa Shagra for a week, the first two days will be the Advanced PADI course (which will include nitrox) and then after that there is 'unlimited' diving.

As far as I understand it, there are two scheduled dives a day (from a flatbed trip and boats) and also some around the house reefs. However, you are also allowed to dive the house reefs without a guide and I suspect at some point towards the end of the week we would like to try this - hence wondering about the dive planning.

Now that the Quantum is available for £150 I am really tempted but the last thing I want is for my new toy to break in the first week. Is it's reliability that bad?

[Colin Marriott]

I wouldn't worry to much about the amount of NDL you have for each dive, but keep an eye on your no-fly time as the week progresses.

You might find that it builds up by the end of the week, and could be as much as 48hrs, depending on the kind of diving you do through the week.


ColinM

[yellowduke]

If you haven't done so already do a search of this site for Shagra. You will find a number of threads with trip reports, photos and comments on the diving there. If you have any questions PM the people who have been there, I am sure they will be pleased to answer your questions.

I did a similar trip to Marsa Alam to Tondoba Bay. Same sketch with the house reef and two boat/shore dives a day. To be honest we didn't bother with our house reey very much although i understand that the one at Marsa Shagra is quite vibrant. Don't pass up on a chance to dive Elphinstone it's excellent.

Jim