Using Geo 2.0 to freedive after scuba

[2left]

I've been scuba diving for 25 years, and have often stripped off my gear and dived back in to snorkel. Most recently in Australia to a depth of about 15m. I only recently began learning about the dangers of freediving after scuba diving.

I called up Oceanic support, and they told me the Geo 2.0 has settings that track nitrogen saturation and monitor when and in what manner it is safe to go freediving right after scuba diving. I can't find anything in these forums that is nearly that conclusive. Anyone know if dive computers can tell you when its safe to go freediving after scuba?

 

[Fondueset]

No.

 

[Apneaddict]

Around the same time it's safe to play Russian roulette with a machine gun.

 

[Kars]

It's a good question, and I need to commend you for asking it, because many people in safety-passion-moment situations do not have the courage to ask the rational question, because they already subconsciously know the answer of; no - one has to postpone their wants and needs even more.

Fondue's and AA answers are the prevailing wisdom, earned by people who either narrowly escaped or died doing even the shallowest types of freediving; only 5-10m!

So plan your scuba at the end of your day, hydrate, eat, sleep and do some extra freediving in your dreams, so the next morning you roll out of bed and into the deep to experience the real vibrant depth, before the crowds arrive.

 

[2left]

I trust forums like this more than I trust technical support, so thanks to everyone for the replies. It's scary to think that Oceanic tech support is giving this kind of information over the phone -- and after keeping me on hold for five minutes so he could consult with a product specialist. I don't scuba much, but it's also scary that no divemaster has ever mentioned anything to me about freediving after scuba -- I guess it's really not widely known outside the freediving community.

Anyway, I'm planning on enrolling in a class and learning more about the sport. As I've gotten older, I find I'm less and less willing to deal with the hassle of scuba gear, but snorkeling is something I've loved since I was a kid.

 

[2left]

And I don't mean any offense by using the term "snorkeling". That's all I plan to keep doing -- I just want to do it well.

 

[Kars]

Thanks 2left.

I do not know the geo's algorithms, it should at least have a "no fly" symbol right after your scuba dive. Clear indication to me that any fast pressure decrease is very dangerous because the nitrogen hasn't washed out of your body.
Saying snorkelling is no offence to me, actually when considered insurance I'm always snorkelling, though in practice it may have been a bit deeper then their assumed maximum snorkel depth of 10m
Getting hung up over labels and or numbers is for the insecure.

It's great to hear you're venturing into this wonderful sport, I'm sure you'll love the exploration, challenge and variety it has to offer.

Love, Water and Courage,

Kars

 

[Fondueset]

Thanks 2left.

I do not know the geo's algorithms, it should at least have a "no fly" symbol right after your scuba dive. Clear indication to me that any fast pressure decrease is very dangerous because the nitrogen hasn't washed out of your body.
Saying snorkelling is no offence to me, actually when considered insurance I'm always snorkelling, though in practice it may have been a bit deeper then their assumed maximum snorkel depth of 10m
Getting hung up over labels and or numbers is for the insecure.

It's great to hear you're venturing into this wonderful sport, I'm sure you'll love the exploration, challenge and variety it has to offer.

Love, Water and Courage,

Kars

What Kars said. I remember Eric Fattah saying something about this subject awhile back, I don't know if he actually worked on algorithms or not. The rates of ascent/descent would be a huge problem though - particularly in that you're playing through that first 10 meters where the biggest change is.

 

[cdavis]

Rate of ascent is the big bugaboo with freediving after scuba. Clearly a problem, but one that is so highly variable among divers and dives that developing algorithms to deal with it is just about impossible. They would have to be so conservative as to be unusable.

Translation: Fonduesets first answer was the right one, as in "no, its not safe." and Oceanic is courting a lawsuit.