Is it acceptable to share a dive computer with your buddy?

Sharing a dive computer is generally considered inappropriate because each diver should rely on their own unit to monitor their specific dive information, such as depth, time, remaining air, and no-decompression limits. A dive computer is a personal safety device tailored to an individual diver's measurements and dive profile. Sharing a computer could lead to miscalculations or misinterpretations of crucial data, increasing the risk of dangerous situations such as exceeding limits or not tracking decompression stops accurately.

Moreover, using a shared device can complicate scenarios where divers may have differing dive plans or profiles. Each diver’s ascent rate, maximum depth, and recovery needs may vary, which a single dive computer cannot accurately reflect for both. This provides further justification for maintaining personal responsibility and situational awareness through individual devices, thereby prioritizing safety during dives.

While there are considerations like mutual agreements or dive types that may lead some to think sharing could be acceptable, the uncompromised significance of having one's own dive computer underscores the best practice in diving safety protocols.