Prospective spearfishermen need to know the dive tables thoroughly. They particularly need confidence in planning no decompression stop repetitive dives. They need to conservatively adhere to planned depth and bottom time limits during each dive. Dive computers provide an alternate method for planning repetitive dives. Many scuba spearfishermen use computers.
Computers combine the functions of a depth gauge and dive timer into one unit.
These devices use dive depth and time history to compute the no-decompression stop time limit at current depth. Between dives they display allowable no-decompression stop bottom times for various depths based upon repetitive dive history and surface interval. Computers offer additional features that vary among models. However, they help eliminate human error in calculating dive plans. Remember, no computer or dive planning table guarantees to prevent decompression sickness.