No. At Diving Enterpriese, Ltd. we use the eRDP, an electronic version of the tables that works just like a calculator.
If you know a diver they may have told you tales of trying to learn how to plan your dives using "the tables." A dive table is a plastic slate preprinted with all the information for planning your allowable dive time while avoiding problems from staying too long. Most slates contain at least three different printed tables and you have to move from table to table to plan your dives. The tables have been around for decades and require lots of practice to learn how to use. It is easy to read a line incorrectly so double checking is the watchword.
We use the PADI eRDP ion our classes. The eRDP looks and functions just like a calculator. Just punch in your depth and time and it gives you the answer. Since starting with the eRDP we have seen a dramatic improvement in our students performance on the quizzes. The dRDP uses the same data as the tables, just makes it diver friendly!
The eRDP is a free benefit of taking your certification course through Diving Enterpriese, Ltd.