How to plan my dives

rogeringebo

Hi!
This has probably been up a thousand times but I like to hear your view on it again.
I plan my dives with Proplanner and dive with "the old" Vr3,armslate and a bottomtimer,now getting more in to trimixdiving and thinking about what to go with in the future
What would you recomend for trimixdiving in the 50-100meter region?
V-planner,GAP,Z-planner,Abyss,Decoplanner or something else?
Please dont say"Ask your instructor" because they all have different ideas of what to use....
I am aware that its all just theory and that I have to decide for my self but I really need advice here...
I dive the Meg and will upgrade to Apecs 3.0 when it arrives...
What program would play well with the algorithm used in that coming product?

-What do you prefer and why?
-Should I get the new version of the Vr3 (VPM)
-Stick with the Vr3 I have but use tables worked out in a deco program?
-Look in to getting a HS Explorer
-Or maybe something completely different
-How is your set up? One or two computers,what kind of computers?slates,bottomtimers?
Many questions,I know but any advice would be great!

Cheers
Rodge the trimix newbie

schford

I prefer clearing 2 completely different deco algo's to hopefully minimise my chances of getting prezzle like.

So I use a HS Explorer which has a modern bubble based algo RGBM (but hardly any testing) and good old fashioned Gradient Factors (Buhlmann) which has been used for years, on my Shearwater hand set..

I use GAP to plan my dives as it has both GF and RGBM algos....My computer based planning is to sanity check my dive and to make sure I have enough bailout....

Depends I guess - are you happy with your existing profiles - do they keep you unbent?

That would enable you to potentially clear two different algos and might add in more safety for you - you could model the 2 algos on a computer before you did the dive to ensure yoru run times were similiar.

I am a huge huge fan as are several other people I know...

Why not look at Bruce's new shearwater based computer - looks pretty slick and is based on GF - so you could upgrade your VR3 to VPM and use this as well....Or alternatly keep your VR3 as is and get a HS explorer - so many things to do!

I think you got my setup by now - but its 1 HS explorer, 1 Shearwater all pre planning done on GAP and I usually have cut bailout tables and a bottom timer for anything gnarly.

But what works for me - might not work for you - deco is a real personal thing and a bit of a black art!

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bubnotbub

All the best

Aldo

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Aldo Ferrucci
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dan@scuba-training.net

The question and replies are the reason I developed Nautilus Dive Planner. I'll go out on a limb and claim that it is the most "Rebreather-friendly" desktop deompression program. It also allows you to compare the results of 5 different decompression models at once. (It also runs on Macintosh computers)


Dan
www.nautilusdiveplanner.com

Drmike

For multi-level exploration dives (harder to plan) I tend to just follow the VR3s with nice slow ascent to first deep stop and between 1st and 2nd deep stop. I wear 2 VR3s (Non VPM, but will be upgrading) with full set of VPMB schedule in wetnotes as back up or if the dive profile ends up matching them (ie square profile). One of VR3s set to zero conservatism in case I need to get my ass out the water quick.

For (square profile non multi level) deep dives that I can plan, I follow VPMB schedule written on wetnotes with VR3s as back up/timers (Usually that means bending the VR3s at first deep stops)

I think VPMB in a VR3 is a hard to beat combination.

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cedricverdier

Hi Mike,

I just received a brand new VR/VPM from France and will try it on 2 trimix dives tomorrow. I already tried to plan several dive profiles and they look quite good.. I'll let you know if it's really a "hard to beat' combination.

Cheers

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Cedric Verdier
PADI Course Director, ANDI-IANTD-PSAI-TDI-DSAT-DAN-NAUI-CMAS Instructor Trainer
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www.CedricVerdier.com
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ScubaDadMiami

I have been using V-Planner for cutting my bailout tables. I also carry IANTD constant PPO2 tables in case I have only a computer (but not CCR) failure.

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Howard Packer
IANTD CCR Instructor
Miami Beach, Florida
CCRDiveTraining.com

J. V.

A computer, cause it's more pleasant to use than tables. And a RGBM or VPM computer, cause I think it have a more realistic approche of high fHe mix.

Why not, VPM works fine. But VR3 use B/E version, wich give longest deco than B one on deep/long dive. Make simulations with the program to see if that seams correct for you.

If you use a VPM or RGBM program, differences between VR3 and tables will be important and not esasy to follow.
If I don't make mistake, it's possible to upgrade old VR3 to VPM model.

I use one since two years and like its RGBM algo, specially with heliox, but less the time spent to return it to HydroSpace for repairs.

Yes, but why?

When I can, two Explorer, one with deco on O2 cell and the second by fixed PpO2. Most often, O2 cell Explorer with Nitek3 in gauge mode and RGBM or VPM tables as backup.

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Jacques
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(remué non agité)