Changed my mind about dive computers after a close call in the Gulf

I used to think all you needed was a wristwatch and a good sense of depth. But last summer off the coast of Galveston, I got tangled in a line at 90 feet and my buddy's computer saved his life by tracking his deco stops perfectly. He was able to signal me when to come up slow, and now I run a Shearwater on every single job. Has anyone else had a moment that made them switch from analog to digital?

2 comments

2 Comments

paul_burns1d ago

You ever feel like your old-school gear is just a fancy way to call DAN on yourself, @cole_mitchell57? Tbh I used to think analog made me look hardcore, but now I know it just makes me look like a guy who likes guessing games underwater.

cole_mitchell571d ago

90 feet off Galveston with a line wrapped around you? That sounds like a nightmare. Ive been diving that area a bunch of times and the currents can get nasty in a hurry. I keep a backup analog console on my kit for peace of mind, but relying on just a watch and a depth gauge for deco stops is pretty wild to me now. One wrong guess on your ascent and youre looking at a trip to the chamber, especially in murky water like that. Im glad your buddy had the computer and you both made it out okay. That kind of close call changes your whole view on gear real quick.