Dive computer failed at 110 feet last Thursday off Galveston

My old Suunto D6i just blanked out on me during a routine inspection dive on a platform leg. I was alone at depth checking a weld when the screen went black. I had to abort the dive and do a controlled ascent, which messed up my whole schedule. My backup was in my bag on the boat because I got lazy. Do you guys always carry a backup computer on every jump or do you roll the dice like I did?

3 comments

3 Comments

ruby65911d ago

Totally agree with you about that heart drop moment. I had a Suunto D6i too and it just died on me at 60 feet while I was checking a mooring line in Key Largo. That blank screen is the worst feeling underwater. Now I keep a little backup computer strapped to my BC pocket on every dive, even if I'm just doing a 20 foot reef check. It's just not worth the hassle of a blown dive plan or having to explain to the captain why you're coming up early.

alice_allen511d ago

Switched to a Suunto Zoop Novo after my old D4i freaked out on me during a night dive off the coast near Palm Beach. That blank screen panic is real, I remember just staring at it hoping it would magically come back on. I started doing the same thing with a backup clipped to my BC, cheap little Cressi Leonardo that still works fine for shallow stuff. What really helped me was running through the emergency ascent procedure in my head before every dive, just so I didnt have to think if it happened again. Also marked my depth and time limits on a cheap wrist slate with a pencil, old school but never fails. Now I check my battery before every trip and swap it out at the first sign of low voltage, saves a lot of heartache later.

the_viola11d ago

Oh man, I feel this one hard. I had almost the exact same thing happen with my old Oceanic Geo 2.0 at like 90 feet off the coast of Destin. Screen just went totally dark, no warning, nothing. I swear I felt my heart drop into my stomach. That controlled ascent is the worst, especially when you have to explain to the boat captain why you're 15 minutes early and your whole dive plan is shot. Now I always clip a little backup computer to my BC pocket, even on shallow dives, because that one time was all it took to make me paranoid.

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