DECOWEENIEDecompression Program for Palm OS
Decoweenie now also run on Pocket-PC devices by using Style Tap.
Decoweenie is the first Palm-based decompression program that utilizes Bühlmann's decompression algorithm for mixed gas decompression on both open-circuit (OC) and closed-circuit (CC) diving modes.
 | The first Palm deco program that set the trend for the rest to follow |
| Intuitive Graphical User Interface (GUI) |
| Graphical Way-Point Editor to describe dive profile |
| Open-circuit mode (OC) |
| Closed-circuit mode (CC) |
| OC deco on CC mode (for rebreathers with small scrubber canister) |
| OC bailout from CC mode |
| Estimates OC gas consumption (backgas and all deco gas) |
| Computes CC single or multiple setpoints as well as multiple diluent gases |
| Uses the well-proven ZHL-16B or 16C algorithms by A.A. Bühlmann |
| Option to use 17TS algorithm with an extra fast-tissue compartment |
| Option to use DCAP algorithm in the DW+ program |
| Allows any gas mixture containing Helium, Oxygen, and Nitrogen |
| Optimizes the OC deco mixes gas-switch depths to minimize deco |
| Option to maximize O2 window deco stop |
| Option to skip all non-mandatory shallower stops after a "maximize O2 window" stop |
| Set your END |
| Set your ascent/descent rates |
| Calculates CNS and OTU |
| Option to use Gradient Factor (GF) deep safety stops |
| Option to use Pyle deep safety stops |
| Option to use GVE deep safety stops |
| Option to update tissues following Pyle / GVE stops |
| Option to save tissue data for repetitive dives |
| Metric or imperial units |
| Time-to-fly (and time-to-altitude) calculations |
| Options to dive at altitude |
| Oxygen can be made narcotic |
| Automatically plan a range of bail-out tables of different bottom times at same depth, including summary memo |
| Different conservatism modes |
| Single-Depth (square profile) or Way-Point (complex) mode input |
| Way-Point could be used for complex cave profile (from survey) or drop-off wall diving |
| Automatically compute decompression when ascend above tissue ceiling during Way-Point dive |
| Option to use alveolar water vapor pressure |
| Option to shape the deco profile manually, and compare against Bühlmann algorithm |
| Computes buoyancy shift from gas usage |
| Computes NDL for 1-inert gas (air, Nitrox) |
HOW HAS DECOWEENIE BEEN USED ?
Review one of the latest European record caves dive using Decoweenie and Halcyon RB80 at:
http://www.ekpp.de/projects/doux01/UK/dive.htm
In addition, the Winter 2001 issue of Advanced Diver Magazine featured an article about the advantages of using the Palm-OS hardware over laptops for diving which included Decoweenie. Also, the Fall 2003 issue updated the aforementioned article by comparing the "modern" decompression programs which included DW+. Here is the feature grid from the aforementioned article:
However, the best way to find out is to simply send your questions to the Yahoo discussion mailing list below to get direct responses from the actual users.
There has been a discussion mailing list at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PalmPlanner
since November, 2000, to discuss the development of Decoweenie as well as a source to distribute the updated software. Currently, there are over 1400 members subscribed to the list.
The Decoweenie program and manuals are in the "Files" section at the aforementioned website as well as in the Down Load section here. It is highly encouraged for everyone to preview the user manual and operate the program in demo mode before registering. The latest version of the software is always at the Yahoo site.
Unmoderated posting to the list is for members only. However, membership is free and unrestricted which means anyone could subscribe / unsubscribe at anytime. The only delay to allow full access to the website for new members comes directly from Yahoo.
The archive messages in the Messages section of the mailing contain a lot of useful discussions as well as answers to common questions about the operational procedures of the program.
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
Decoweenie runs on all Palm OS devices. This means you could use any Palm-OS hardware devices from Palm, Handspring or Sony.
Decoweenie now also run on Pocket-PC devices by using Style Tap.
If you don't already own a Palm, there is no need to purchase the latest Palm hardware version to use with Decoweenie unless you have other needs for such a PDA. Simply purchase a second-hand unit to save money since Decoweenie doesn't require large amount of memory to operate.
Aside from using the Palm for business purposes, I use the Palm to guide me to the dive sites (via the GPS attachment), blend the correct dive mixes, compute the proper decompression profiles and log the dives afterward.
Decoweenie will automatically run on demo mode to view the GUI and its options until you have decided to register the program, then you will be given a special code to turn the program into full-features mode.
With the development of the new GUI, versions of Decoweenie from version 4.0+ will require a Palm OS of 2.0+ to support the graphical routines. This would eliminate the use of *very, very* old-and-rare Palm devices.
Full-features registered version of
Decoweenie program requires a registration fee of
$75. Detail instructions on how
to register could be found here. Part of this
registration fee will go to
charity. Decoweenie is
offered as-is with no additional enhancements in the future, except for the bug
fixes if needed.
Decoweenie-PLUS
program is a separate program from Decoweenie, and is
an option only for the Decoweenie registered users.
Upgrade cost is $25. It is a
completely rewritten program based on the work of the original Decoweenie
program. In general terms, DW+
has better and more intuitive graphical interface, colors, improved
manually-described profile (for difficult cave profiles), more algorithms and
also enable Real-Gas computation when using the ORGasM blending program.
LATEST: I have decided to offer only Decoweenie-PLUS from 2007 onward. Registration will be $75 (instead of $100 in the past). Registration fee will continue to go to charity as before.
Decoweenie requires the following three (3) files to be installed on your Palm to function:
| Decoweenie-PLUS |
This is the latest version of Decoweenie-PLUS program itself (version 1.7). It is presently in this format "DW+xx" with "xx" represents the version number (i.e. DW+17 is Decoweenie-PLUS program version 1.7).
If there is an updated version, both of the program and detail manual (294Kb) will be available for downloading at the following Yahoo website:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PalmPlanner/files/
Again, you will need to be a member of this Yahoo list to access the files. Membership is free and self-registered. As mentioned, I have no control over the Yahoo membership issue.
The German and Italian manuals are currently available.
Manual has been lagging behind, and is the old Decoweenie manual, but all pertinent information are inside.
| PocketC runtime module |
Since Decoweenie is compiled by the PocketC development system, it requires the runtime module installed to run on the Palm. The runtime module is available for free from the Orbworks website. From time to time, you will need to upgrade to a newer version of this runtime module to take advantage of any new released features from Orbworks.
Decoweenie will automatically prompt you when it is time to upgrade this runtime module.
| Mathlib |
This is the mathematical library to perform complex mathematical functions required in the decompression model. This library is available for free. There is no need to upgrade this library.
| Other programs available (not related to Decoweenie) |
"Dolphin" - free program to compute operational parameters for Draeger Dolphin SCR.
"GasMatch" - free program for registered users to compute gas matching for cave diving.
"ORGasM" - free Gas blending with Real (for DW+ registered users) and Ideal Gas (for DW users) computation.
STEP 1:
Install the necessary three (3) files onto your Palm per the instructions from the Download section above. Read the entire manual and execute the Decoweenie program in the demo mode until you are 100% completely satisfied.
STEP 2:
Registration fee for Decoweenie-PLUS is US$75. Click
to pay.
STEP 3:
After having paid the registration fee, you MUST execute this "UserID" program which also could be found at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PalmPlanner/files/
and e-mail me its complete output in order for me to make a unique unlock code for your Palm. Please make sure of the correct spelling of the output since it is extremely important in making the correct unlock code for your Palm.
This is an example of the 3-line output file from the UserID program:
a) User ID: John Q Smith
b) Serial: 60JU1CB10690
c) Confirm: 1361.684
REMEMBER: You HAVE to send me the output of the aforementioned program to get your unlocking code. Even if you have paid the registration fee on step 1 but didn't send the output, I can't send you the unlocking code since I need the output information to make the unique unlocking code specifically for your Palm unit.
Decoweenie is a tool developed mainly for experienced mixed-gas divers familiar with decompression techniques. There shall be no instructions on how to conduct decompression dives from the program. This is purely an experimental program to study decompression planning process. You alone assume ALL risks if conducting any dive using any information generated by the program.
Any decompression profiles should be taken to be experimental in nature and should not be used without an understanding of the inherent risk of Decompression Sickness (DCS). There exists no decompression procedures which guarantees that DCS will NOT occur. The only way to avoid risk of DCS is to NOT DIVE. By using the program, you automatically agree that the author of this program will NOT be held accountable for any injury/damage caused by the use of any information generated by this program.