low tech or high tech in cave diving

[apitkin]

I opt for "High Reliability".

If that means the low tech option, I'll use it. If it means the higher tech option, I'll use that.

+1.

And that should include how the device interacts with the user. As a user, I would consider myself to be a low-reliability device.

Much of our dive gear has now reached levels of reliability that we humans appear to be the weakest link. I would say that a lot of failures of equipment are related to human fallibility. It's unlikely that human error can be entirely designed and engineered out of the system, but there is still a lot of room for improvement.

[Webmaster]

I think it's about more than that. Pretty much any diver in a cave now has a fair amount of technology on them. Computers, high tech mechanical systems in regulators, LED lights with electronic controls, scooters, cameras, dry suits, etc... I think it's important to note that "high tech" does not necessarily mean electronics.

The question that's usually asked is not whether it's high tech, but whether it is reliable and effective or not.

For instance NiMH scooter batteries had a fairly brief stint because of that. And the wireless gauges Kelly mentioned for similar reasons, spotty performance. Not to say it won't see a resurgence if someone comes out with a more solid system.

[FW]

Does anyone make a digital SPG? I am not talking about air integrated. Just a hose that goes into the first stage, with a digital gauge on the other end. Lighted would be a big plus, since it a PIA to read s normal SPG on a scooter.

[PfcAJ]

All my SPGs glow in the dark. Hit it with the HID once and its good for quite some time.

[FW]

All my SPGs glow in the dark. Hit it with the HID once and its good for quite some time.

I have an LED, and it lasts long enough to look at one time. By the next time I look, it is dark.

[Greenwood_60]

This is what we need http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tritium_illumination

[Aotus]

A smart spg would be cool...a digital, glowing read out with a second row to show turn pressure or gas mix etc etc. all these fancy new computers coming out, where's the smart spg (sspg)?

[FW]

This is what we need http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tritium_illumination

A radioactive SPG, hmmm?

[Webmaster]

I've floated the idea of a small SPG illuminator to several folks, but no one's really been interested in following up on it.

[MORGAN]

Any post on CDF that uses Bloom County should be awarded some kind of a prize!

Mike