Guidelines for the Use of Dive Computers

From AAUS Dive Computer Workshop. Lang and Hamilton (Eds.). U.S.C. Sea Grant Program, Los Angeles, CA, 1989

1. Only those makes and models of dive computers specifically approved by the Diving Control Board may be used.
2. Any diver desiring the approval to use a dive computer as a means of determining decompression status must apply to the Diving Control Board, complete an appropriate practical training session and pass a written examination.
3. Each diver relying on a dive computer to plan dives and indicate or determine decompression status must have his own unit.
4. On any given dive, both divers in the buddy pair must follow the most conservative dive computer.
5. If the dive computer fails at any time during the dive, the dive must be terminated and appropriate surfacing procedures should be initiated immediately.
6. A diver should not dive for 18 hours before activating a dive computer to use it to control his diving.
7. Once the dive computer is in use, it must not be switched off until it indicates complete outgassing has occurred or 18 hours have elapsed, whichever comes first.
8. When using a dive computer, non-emergency ascents are to be at a rate specified for the make and model of dive computer being used.
9. Ascent rates shall not exceed 40 fsw/min in the last 60 fsw.
10. Whenever practical, divers using a dive computer should make a stop between 10 and 30 feet for 5 minutes, especially for dives below 60 fsw.
11. Only 1 dive on the dive computer in which the NDL of the tables or dive computer has been exceeded may be made in any 18 hour period.
12. Repetitive and multi-level diving procedures should start the dive, or series of dives, at the maximum planned depth, followed by subsequent dives of shallower exposures.
13. Multiple deep dives require special consideration.