Multi-Gas computer/ Helitrox

[Chum Bucket]

I'm shopping new multi-gas computers, and higher dive training.

Is anyone here diving helitrox? Are there major advantages? I don't really feel overly impaired at 150-160 fsw with a very light nitrox mix. I don't seem to have the problem of pulling the trigger and getting out.

Obviously if I decide to obtain helitrox certification, I'll be searching for helium capable computers. Or can helitrox be dived with a regular non helium capable multi-gas computer. Kind of like diving nitrox with an air computer, just for the added safety factor.

So I guess the real questions are:

1. If simply diving light nitrox mixes on deep dives and switching to a higher FO2 on the ascent, what would be your computer of choice?

2.If using helium in the mix, which would be your computer of choice?
Thanks A.W.

[EL GAVILAN]

Old school thinking was that if you ran less than 20% He, you just treated it like air. But to be accurate (and safer), you should address all gasses inspired. Running an air dive and a light He dive on custom programs will produce different schedules.
The computers of choice would be the VR3 or the NITEK X.

[Chum Bucket]

Old school thinking was that if you ran less than 20% He, you just treated it like air. But to be accurate (and safer), you should address all gasses inspired. Running an air dive and a light He dive on custom programs will produce different schedules.
The computers of choice would be the VR3 or the NITEK X.

Thanks Jim,
Was planning on seeing you soon and asking in person. Looks like I'll be waiting for the new Nitek to arrive.
Adam

[dagodiver]

Adam,
You are welcome to use my VR3 anytime you want to see it you like it.
Mine doesnt have the color screen but does have all the other stuff.


Dago.

[bgbill]

Adam,
You are welcome to use my VR3 anytime you want to see it you like it.
Mine doesnt have the color screen but does have all the other stuff.


Dago.

Mike,

Make sure you don't loan it to Mike (the collector) :eek: :D

[SpearMax]

Adam, take a look at the Cochran EMC - 20H Helium computer also. I just bought three of them for me and my Trimix buddies. As a Cochran Gemini user for years for deep air diving, I love the Cochran algorithm that gets me out of the water fast and safely. Here are screen shots of the simulator and tables for a 290 foot Trimix dive we are doing next week plus a 190 foot Trimix wreck dive we are doing today. I also show below the V-planner tables for today's 190 foot dive for comparison purposes. For this particular dive, V-planner has a run time of 60 minutes, while the Cochran has a run time of 52 minutes. The Cochran assumed 20 % conservativism in this model which is what I use on pretty much all my deep air dives. The V-planner used +3 conservativism below. FYI, Tony


V-Planner 3.81 by Ross Hemingway,
VPM code by Erik C. Baker.
Decompression model: VPM - B

DIVE PLAN
Surface interval = 5 day 0 hr 0 min.
Elevation = 0ft
Conservatism = + 3
Dec to 70ft (1) Nitrox 50 60ft/min descent.
Dec to 190ft (3) Trimix 15.6/37.5 60ft/min descent.
Level 190ft 16:50 (20) Trimix 15.6/37.5 1.05 ppO2, 99ft ead, 106ft end
Asc to 120ft (22) Trimix 15.6/37.5 -30ft/min ascent.
Stop at 120ft 0:40 (23) Trimix 15.6/37.5 0.72 ppO2, 58ft ead, 63ft end
Stop at 110ft 1:00 (24) Trimix 15.6/37.5 0.67 ppO2, 52ft ead, 56ft end
Stop at 100ft 1:00 (25) Trimix 15.6/37.5 0.63 ppO2, 46ft ead, 50ft end
Stop at 90ft 1:00 (26) Trimix 15.6/37.5 0.58 ppO2, 40ft ead, 44ft end
Stop at 80ft 3:00 (29) Trimix 15.6/37.5 0.53 ppO2, 34ft ead, 38ft end
Stop at 70ft 3:00 (32) Nitrox 50 1.56 ppO2, 32ft ead
Stop at 60ft 1:00 (33) Nitrox 50 1.41 ppO2, 26ft ead
Stop at 50ft 2:00 (35) Nitrox 50 1.26 ppO2, 20ft ead
Stop at 40ft 3:00 (38) Nitrox 50 1.10 ppO2, 13ft ead
Stop at 30ft 4:00 (42) Nitrox 80 1.53 ppO2, 0ft ead
Stop at 20ft 18:00 (60) Nitrox 80 1.28 ppO2, 0ft ead
Surface (60) Nitrox 80 -30ft/min ascent.
Off gassing starts at 147.7ft
OTU's this dive: 71
CNS Total: 28.3%
109.7 cu ft Trimix 15.6/37.5
1.7 cu ft Nitrox 50
11.8 cu ft Nitrox 50
18.4 cu ft Nitrox 80
141.5 cu ft TOTAL

DIVE PLAN COMPLETE

[dagodiver]

Cool Tony.! you finally got your 3mix card.! :cool:


Dago.

[GRIM REEFER]

I have a VR3 but if I had to do it over again I would try this one out
http://www.liquivision.ca/liquivisionf1.html

[dagodiver]

I have a VR3 but if I had to do it over again I would try this one out
http://www.liquivision.ca/liquivisionf1.html


They looked very cool at DEMA.


Dago.

[Megabeast]

I have a VR3 but if I had to do it over again I would try this one out
http://www.liquivision.ca/liquivisionf1.html

Daddy likes. :thumps: 1650$ is a bruising price tag. I'd have to know someone whose owned one (that doesn't work for the company) and get their opinion.

[Chum Bucket]

Thanks for all the input guys,

Tony, thanks for the detailed dive plan. I always find myself engrossed in reading every detail of your plans. I looked at the Cochran's and like the product very much. I found a local dealer and the price was also very reasonable. If it wasn't for something that came up, I would have bought the EMC-20H.

Shane, that liquivision does look very cool. So do the goggles, a little getting used to though I bet.

Dago has been good enough to help me find a color VR3 at a really good price, and it will help the seller out too.

I've also decided to go ahead and get the ball rolling on Advanced Nitrox, Deco theory, and Helitrox.
Adam

[dagodiver]

Cool Adam.! :cool:



And dont forget about the free BYOB class on how to run that thing.! :p




Dago.

[hogsniper]

I'm shopping new multi-gas computers, and higher dive training.

Is anyone here diving helitrox? Are there major advantages? I don't really feel overly impaired at 150-160 fsw with a very light nitrox mix. I don't seem to have the problem of pulling the trigger and getting out.

Obviously if I decide to obtain helitrox certification, I'll be searching for helium capable computers. Or can helitrox be dived with a regular non helium capable multi-gas computer. Kind of like diving nitrox with an air computer, just for the added safety factor.

So I guess the real questions are:

1. If simply diving light nitrox mixes on deep dives and switching to a higher FO2 on the ascent, what would be your computer of choice?

2.If using helium in the mix, which would be your computer of choice?
Thanks A.W.

Adam,
To answer one of your original questions, yes you can use your regular nitrox computer to dive helitrox. That is the beauty of the simplified course. Remember to go up SLOW-30fpm max. I was helitrox certified by Jim at Fantasea Scuba(SPO sponsor) through a program at Aquatic Obsessions 727-344-dive(SPO sponsor). The fact that you don't switch your mix to helium is the added safety factor with helitrox. It minimizes errors and gives you a larger margin of safety.

[bgbill]

Adam,
To answer one of your original questions, yes you can use your regular nitrox computer to dive helitrox. That is the beauty of the simplified course. Remember to go up SLOW-30fpm max.

I think it is a moot point now, because he bought a Delta P Vr3, he got a good deal on it and also helped out a person in need, so it helps both people out. :thumps:

[MarkH]

You will like the VR3. I'm using the color version and have had no problem with it. Most people think they are very complicated but they are actually simple to use. It's nice to be able to program it under water if you forget to activate a gas. It's also nice that if you are using it with tables, you can violate it without a time penalty. Downloading your dives is another story. Although they are supposed to be making improvements it helps to hold your tongue just right. At DEMA they said the problem was fixed. Mine has been downloading fine lately so I haven't checked to see if the new SW version is available. I still haven't figured out why I bought the color display though. I guess it will come in handy when you decide to load a picture slideshow and view it on deco.

[Chum Bucket]

Spent all day yesterday using simulater mode and dive planer. Really is not that hard to operate. I like the little dive guy on the line as you approach deco stops. Gas changes are easy and even gas additions are a snap. Glad I bought this computer.

Can't wait to start classes. Carl sold his harley and has a VR 3 on the way too!

[SpearMax]

Thanks for all the input guys,

Tony, thanks for the detailed dive plan. I always find myself engrossed in reading every detail of your plans. I looked at the Cochran's and like the product very much. I found a local dealer and the price was also very reasonable. If it wasn't for something that came up, I would have bought the EMC-20H.

Shane, that liquivision does look very cool. So do the goggles, a little getting used to though I bet.

Dago has been good enough to help me find a color VR3 at a really good price, and it will help the seller out too.

I've also decided to go ahead and get the ball rolling on Advanced Nitrox, Deco theory, and Helitrox.
Adam

Adam, good luck with the VR3! I have heard good things about them. Glad you got one at a great price.

Just be careful with the deep stuff! Tony :cowboy: