If your enriched air computer fails during a dive, what should you do?

If your enriched air computer fails during a dive, the safest and most sensible action is to immediately ascend and make a safety stop. This approach ensures that you prioritize your safety and mitigate the risks associated with the malfunction of dive computers, particularly in regard to nitrogen loading.

In the event of a computer failure, there is a lack of reliable data to guide your ascent rate and depth management. Continuing to minimum depth could lead to improper decompression practices, especially if you're deep enough to have significant nitrogen-loading issues. Ascending rapidly is quite dangerous; it can increase the risk of decompression sickness and other related complications, which may be exacerbated by enriched air usage. Waiting until the next planned stop lacks consideration of your safety needs in the moment, given the computer's failure.

By choosing to ascend immediately and perform a safety stop, you're adopting a responsible approach to diving safety, allowing for a controlled ascent that mitigates potential risks associated with computer failure, such as unexpected nitrogen buildup.