Scuba Diving Apps
Let’s get down to brass tacks. Whilst there are a lot of smartphone apps on diving, many are pretty badly designed and not great to use. For tech divers that list gets even shorter. Most apps are for dive logging but there are a few weather and gas blending apps that are very handy.
Some are free, others are not but still worth the money. Unlike the book recommendations, I haven’t used every app listed here. I only use Shearwater Cloud, HWOS, Windy.com and CCR mixer pro. I would love to have a good dive planning app, but i’m on Android. The app store wins out by a long way with planning apps.
The way we use technology has obviously changed a lot in the last 10-15 years, most dive planning used to be done on desktop PCs and if you wanted to make changes, tough. Nowadays, for many people a tablet or smartphone is their primary device. So it’s great that there are a few apps that allow you to fully plan a dive using your phone etc. If you need to make changes, perhaps due to a change in circumstances on your surface interval, they are incredibly useful.
The list below is not a list of recommendations. It can’t be if I don’t own an iphone. They are mostly the more popular apps that I think are at least worth trying out. if I’ve missed any good ones.
Shearwater Cloud
Although you need to own a Shearwater to use it, it’s easy to use, syncs to a cloud, and you can upload from multiple devices. I use with my petrel 2 and JJ-ccr controller.
You can leave the uploads as they are or add whatever information about the dive you want.
HWOS- Heinrichs Weikamp
For owners of Heinrichs Weikamp dive computers (OSTC), this is the app you need to update the firmware and make other changes.
I couldn’t get my bluetooth to connect to any other program, but this one works great.
CCR Mixer pro
The best app i’ve found for quickly messing around with what gas mixtures you want, ENDs etc. Very easy to use and I find it pretty accurate when it comes to using it for blending. There isn’t a free version but I have no problem with the roughly $2 it cost.
MultiDeco
It’s far inferior to other apps available on the app store, but for Android users it’s all you’ve got. The paid version works pretty well, but it’s way too expensive for what it is, especially considering that most users will have already paid a lot for the desktop version.
The developer Ross Hemingway is a very polarising figure. He was very vocal on Scubaboard regarding deep stops until he got banned. Some divers don’t care, others make a point of boycotting his product.
Baltic Deco Planner
I haven’t had an iphone for years, but remember this app as being very easy to use with a lot of functionality. Really easy to plan and add lost gas etc.
Trimix calc
I used this app until I found CCR mixer. It shows MODs and best mix for trimix etc. But I recall it didn’t have as much functionality as CCR mixer in terms of metric/imperial.
Trimix tools
I have no idea about this app, except that it looks nice!
DIR wetnotes- Blender/MOD/pSCR
This app has recently been updated to include what looks to be a very comprehensive gas blending function. It has good reviews, so worth checking out. You can also use their online blending page
Dive+
The best thing about this app is that it colour corrects photos and videos really well.
iDeco Pro
Similar to Baltic deco, very easy to use and full functionality. Apple wins on dive planning apps.
Windy.com
Very handy for checking the weather generally, but it also includes waves, swell, and sea temperature. Has good coverage too.
Suunto Movescount
I’d never even heard of this but someone suggested it. Same idea as the Shearwater cloud but for Suunto users.