Good weekend, lots of great diving in Canada. Diver Choice Charters owners Ken and Carolyn were great and the vision was good. We are sorry we missed you on this trip. All went well but there were several equipment problems. I am bringing up the dives we had to illustrate the fact that things happen to equipment that your life depends on.

 This weekend it was O rings, those little black rubber things or what ever that goes on the valve to seal the connection to stop the air from blowing out around the regulator. Lots of those going bad for some reason, and if you or your dive buddy don’t have extras, the dive is over. 

 This is what you may discover; you have a Din and your dive buddy has a yoke; some of the rings just won’t fit. As a reminder you should replace them often, and make sure you have the right type and size for the gas you use. Out of seven divers and three Save a Dive Kits we managed to save the dives. Remember you should always have your own Save a Dive Kit packed with those items that you may possibly need to continue. As for me, it’s back to the dive shop to restock the Save a Dive Kit with O rings.

 We also had some trouble with a set of tanks; what it was we are still not sure.  A set of my 130 twins set up with 25/10 came up empty the next morning after it was set up the night before. I checked the pressure and had 3400 PSI and secured the tanks in place on the boat for the morning dive. When we arrived and were at the dive sight I checked my equipment and found that I had no air to do the dive. Where was the gas that cost so much?  All gone. All 260 cubic feet of air had disappeared into thin air.

Needless to say I was not a happy diver. The tanks were set aside to be checked, and when I switched out the tanks I had my dive buddy do a bubble check at 10 feet to make sure that it was not my regulator O rings that had caused the problem. Now I was limited to shorter and less deep dives to make the air that I had last for two dives. I just like knowing I have the air for my buddy and myself if needed. Remember that even if the air lasted one dive, it was a good day of diving.

 When you and your buddy have planned your dives, losing air is not good, especially when you know how you are going to dive the plan and then have to change the whole thing. This is why you always plan your dives ahead of time and go over them with your dive buddy. Also remember that you should have an alternate plan which we had. Problems and weather and a whole host of other things could change the plan

The tanks have been taken to the shop and are being inspected along with the regulators. Also the regulators are due for annual inspection soon so I will have it all done before the next dive adventure. Less to think about after you have it all looked at and serviced. Just to remind you, please check to see that the O rings are in good shape and that they are the right kind. Service your equipment as required. Not only will it make your dive more enjoyable, but safer all the way around for you and your buddy.

 © 07-23-2005 G.McK.