If you experience a computer failure underwater, what should you do?

Experiencing a computer failure underwater can be disorienting and may affect your ability to monitor important dive variables such as time, depth, and remaining gas supply. In such a situation, signaling your buddy and ascending safely is the most prudent action.

Communicating with your diving partner allows for a coordinated response, ensuring that both divers are aware of the situation and can assist each other in ascending. A controlled ascent is important to prevent the risks associated with rapid ascent, such as decompression sickness. This approach emphasizes buddy safety, accountability, and monitoring the ascent rate, which should ideally be no faster than 18 meters (60 feet) per minute, with safety stops as appropriate.

While other options may seem appealing in the moment, they lack consideration for safety protocols. For example, taking a shortcut to the surface or immediately resurfacing without caution ignores the risk of decompression sickness, which can occur if a diver ascends too quickly. Continuing the dive is also inadvisable, as it could lead to potential emergencies without the necessary information from your dive computer.

Overall, signaling your buddy and safely ascending ensures both divers remain safe and can manage any risks that may arise from the equipment failure.