Integrated air and backup SPG

[gilbertenstein]

I just bought acomputer with the integrated air option and wondered if there is a need for a backup SPG or if I can drop that from my reg. Any thoughts?

[owlbill]

It is a personal choice really. My thoughts are as follows:

1 - If I am only doing recreational (non-deco, not too advanced) dives and I am comfortable with my air consumption, then I would not take the backup SPG. If at any point on the dive my air pressure is lost on the computer, I should know approximately what my air is. If I was already leaving the dive, I continue to do so with my buddy close at hand. If I was in the middle of the dive, then theoretically I should have plenty of air to start leaving the dive right now.

2 - If I am very new diver and not "aware" of my air consumption, or I do much more advanced diving, or happen to dive solo, then I do want a backup SPG for sure. Mind you, the analog SPG would be my main gauge and the computer would be the backup.


Basically, it all comes down to how comfortable you are and how aware you are of your air consumption. I want to take as little gear as needed on any dive I do, personally. I rarely look at my SPG anymore and when I do it is only to confirm that I have the amount of gas that I think I should at that point in the dive.

This is only an opinion of course, and there will be many different ones.