Is a Dive Computer Necessary?

Back in the day, tables were the standard. At this point, nearly all divers wear a wrist-mount computer and for good reason.

A dive computer calculates depth, bottom time, speed of ascent, and no-decompression limits in the moment. Tables give you a static plan. When you change depth partway through, a computer adjusts. Tables are set before you get in.

Watch-style computers are what the majority of divers buy these days. They're small enough, easy to read, and you'll wear them as a regular watch between dives. Hose-mounted models are available but fewer buyers pick them anymore.

Basic computers start around $250-400 and handle everything the average diver would need. They give you depth, bottom time, NDL, log function, and sometimes an entry-level freediving mode. Mid-range adds wireless air monitoring, better screens, and additional nitrox modes.

Something new divers don't think about is conservatism settings. Certain algorithms are more cautious than others. A tighter computer gives you reduced NDL. More aggressive ones give more time but at a thinner margin. Neither is site wrong. It just your style and how experienced you are.

Ask someone at a dive shop who uses multiple computers before you decide. They'll offer real-world feedback on which ones hold up and what isn't hype. The better Cairns dive stores publish product guides and honest reviews on their websites too