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WHAT IS ASDP?

Overview

The Automated Sports Dive Planner (ASDP) is an automated tool designed to help certified divers do everything they do with manual dive tables except faster and more accurately. Double checking your results is not necessary. When you violate diving rules, the program will let you know through pop up displays. Planning for repetitive dives with the least amount of surface interval time is fast and easy. You can reduce your intervals by planning your dives for either a shallower depth or shorter dive time. Your new surface intervals are displayed instantly. No problem if your diving somewhere where depth is measured in meters instead of feet. This ASDP can handle both.

Since the Palm computer is considerably less bulky than your lap top/desk top computer, you can conveniently bring it with you on your dive trips. You can protect it from water by placing it in a plastic zip lock sandwich bag . Unfortunately, this doesn’t mean you bring it underwater with you.

Disclaimer

The ASDP should only be used by certified divers with an existing knowledge on how to use manual dive tables. No dive table can guarantee complete freedom from incidence of Decompression Sickness. This may be attributed to people reacting differently in pressure stress situations. Therefore the results from this program cannot eliminate the possibility of decompression sickness.

No warranties explicit or implied are given. It is recommended that you use the tables conservatively. Only properly certified individuals should be diving on compressed air (SCUBA). It is advised that you perform a knowledge review by reading the RULES section of this program before planning a dive.

WHAT'S NEW IN V.1.1?

Preferences

New Version 1.1 features a Preference form which can be used to select the depth units (feet or meters), the way to enter depths (by selector or direct keyboard) and how the values are displayed (rounded to closest standard value or as they were entered):

            

The Preference form pops up when you click on the Menu hard button, or when you just click on the Prefs button on the display:

    or  

Date

New Version 1.1 also features a Date field, to enter and save the date of the dive.

  

BASIC OPERATION

First launch the application from the Palm main screen menu:

  

This program has been designed to allow easy entry of dive profile information. Entry of dive data is performed by tapping you Stylus Pen to the right of the row titled SI (Surface Interval), Dep (Dive Depth) and Time (Dive Time). If at any time you wish to start over or 'CLEAR' any previously entered and computed information, press the Clr button on the bottom right had portion of your screen. All displayed information will be reset to blanks.

Dive Depth

Entry of dive information is performed by tapping your stylus on the display screen. There is no need to perform dive entry using the Graffiti pad. For example, when you tap on the area to the right of Dep title under Dive # 1, a depth list will appear allowing you to enter the depth of your first dive. You can tap on the down arrow to 'Rolldown' for deeper depth selection (up to 130 feet). At and after 40 feet, each depth is incremented up by 10 feet. If your dive anywhere between these depths, round to the next highest depth. For example, if you actual depth was 44 feet, round to 50 and tap on the 50 displayed in your depth list.

    or  

After selection of the depth, the depth value will appear on your display :

    or  

Dive Time

Assuming you have entered the depth of 50 feet, you can now enter the dive time. By tapping on the area to the right of the Time title under Dive # 1, a Pop-up entry display with a numeric keypad will appear. In addition, based on your pre entered depth of 50 feet, the ASDP will display the NDL (No Decompression Limit) for that depth on the top of the pop up display. This is a convenient feature for those who wish to plan for a specific dive profile and want to know what the NDL is for a particular depth. You can enter your dive time by tapping on each numeric button or write the numbers in the numeric graffiti touch pad area. If you made a mistake, tap the C button to clear any previously entered depth.

  

After you have entered your time, press the OK button. The ASDP will then find the AD PG (After Dive Pressure Group) and display the ABT (Actual Bottom Time) and TBT (Total Bottom Time):

  

WARNING/INSTRUCTION MESSAGES

In keeping with safe diving habits, if your dive plan had:

Approached closely to the NDL...

A pop up will appear indicating that a safety stop is required for the dive.

  

Ended with a pressure group of W or X...

A pop up will appear indicating that a 1 hour minimum surface interval is required for the dive and a 1:00 will appear in the next dive column SI row.

     

Ended with a pressure group of Y or Z...

A pop up will appear indicating that a 3-hour minimum surface interval is required for the dive and a 3:00 will appear in the next dive column's SI row.

     

Exceed the NDL by less then 5 minutes...

A pop up will appear indicating that a 8 minute decompression stop at 15 feet and a 6 hour surface interval is required for the dive. 6:00 will appear in the next dive column SI row.

     

Exceed the NDL by more then 5 minutes...

A pop up will appear indicating that a 15 minute decompression stop at 15 feet and a 24 hour surface interval is required for the dive. 24:00 will appear in the next dive column SI row.

     

PREFERENCES

DATE OF THE DIVE(S)

ASDP let you choose the date of the dive(s). The date is stored for future editing issues can be changed by clicking on it.

  

Let assume today is March 12, 2000. If you plan dives for March 31, 2000, just select the new date as you do with DateBook.

  

The new date now appears and is stored for next launch of ASDP.

  

IMPERIAL OR METRIC DEPTHS

For those divers who measure their depths in meters instead of feet, the metric equivalent of the Dive Depth measured in feet will appear after tapping on the down arrow with the text of feet on the top right hand portion of the ASDP display.

  

After tapping on the Prefs button, just popup the unit menu:

  

Assuming you have selected meters, the dep value will change from 50 feet to 15 meters. You may switch back and forth between feet and meters at any time without effecting the outcome of your pressure group.

  

DEPTH VALUES ENTRY

Depths values can be entered either by popup selector or by soft keyboard, direct. Default popup selector can be changed via the Prefs menu.

  

In Prefs menu, just change the data entry way to Direct, if you wish:

  

Now future depth values will be entered via keyboard, as for Times.

  

DEPTH VALUES ROUNDING

Any Depth value can be entered in the range of 35 to 130 feet (ie. 10.5 to 39 meters).
Values are rounded to the closest greater standard steps: Only standard values are used for calculations. For example, dive #1 depth is rounded to 60 for calculations.

  

In Prefs menu, you can choose to round all displays automatically. This mode is useless when depth values are selected via popup, since only standard values are usable.

  

Once rounding mode selected, depth values displays are rounded when back to main form:

  

SURFACE INTERVAL

COMPUTE MINIMUM

The power of the ASDP lies in its ability to compute the minimum surface interval between repetitive dives. Assume you plan to do 3 dives at 60 feet for 35 minutes. What is the minimum surface interval between each dive?

  

Tap on the area to the right of the SI title under Dive #2. A dropdown box will appear with the option to select either "Find Min" or "Input Time". Tap on the "Find Min" and the ASDP will compute the minimum surface interval needed before you can perform you next dive along with your new pressure groups, RNT, ABT and TBT.

  

Repeat the aforementioned steps for dive #3:

  

You can "play" with different depth and time scenarios to minimize your surface intervals until you find a combination to your liking.

PLAN YOUR OWN

You can also manually increase your surface interval (Input Time) so that you are placed in a lower pressure group. This will allow you to either extend your next repetitive dive time, dive to a deeper depth or reduce the surface interval prior to your next dive.

SUPPORT

REGISTRATION

Your future diving experiences will be enhanced using the ASDP. Even if you use a submersible dive computer, you can always increase your safety margin by using the ASDP in conjunction with your dive computer. More importantly you can plan for your dives before you begin your dive trip.

To register the ASDP:

Follow all payment instructions. Upon acknowledgement of payment, you will be given an access code with additional instructions via E-Mail that will activate your trial version.

UPGRADES

Future upgrades will be provided free of charge for registred users.

TECH SUPPORT

Please go to our web site for additional information:

http://scooba_sw.tripod.com

And feel free to contact us for any comment, question and request at:

scooba_sw@yahoo.com

Thank you for your time.