May 2021 Safety Message: Is it time to check and service your gear?

Happy Cinco de Mayo Everyone!

During our recent e-board meeting I heard mentioned that someone within the club had missed out on a dive because of a leaking air hose that was apparently discovered aboard the dive boat. This reminded me that now is a very good time for many divers to get their gear serviced. I’m talking especially to you fair weather divers. Your dive gear has been in the closet for about 6 months. Now the weather is heating up and it’s time to get back in the water.

It may be appropriate to have both your regulator and your BC serviced by a trained professional. In some cases an annual checkup continues the manufacturer’s warranty for another year.

At the very least, try on all your gear. Test it out. See if it’s comfortable. Are you the same size you were 6 months ago??

Do both your mouthpieces breathe comfortably?

Does your buoyancy compensator fill and hold air without deflating?

Do you have an opportunity to submerge in a swimming pool. If yes, test everything underwater and then take your gear off and visually inspect it while it is submerged. Make sure you’re wearing your mask when you do this. If you see any bubbles, something needs attention.

And, if you test your gear in a pool or freshwater lake don’t forget you’ll need more weight to submerge in the ocean then you do in the fresh water.

Be safe everyone and make sure your dive buddies are safe as well!

- Dave Wills

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April 2021 Safety Message: My Valve is Stuck! The Conclusion

In my last safety message I informed you that I had found a scuba cylinder on my boat that was full of air, but the valve handle would not turn. I exerted as much force as I dared, but the valve would not open. What did I do?

I used an ultrasonic cleaner to clean the valve, hoping it would become operational. I suspended the cylinder upside down and immersed the valve in the ultrasonic cleaner. Unfortunately this effort to free the valve stem did not work. I had made no progress.

So, it was time for some professional help. I transported the cylinder to a hydrostatic testing facility near me, and let them solve the problem. This condition was apparently not uncommon. They knew exactly how to deal with it.

I thought I would have to purchase a new valve, but no, they rebuilt the valve that had malfunctioned. And, while the tank was at the shop, I had the 5-year hydrostatic test conducted as well. Now all is good!

Sometimes you simply need to pass a problem to a trained, skilled professional. This was definitely one of those times!

Stay Safe!

Dave Wills

February 2021 Safety Message: My Valve is Stuck!

Scuba Cylinder Valve Malfunction

I recently found a fully charged scuba cylinder on my boat that was full of air, but the valve handle will not turn. I exerted as much force as I dare, but the valve will not open. What should I do? I did some research online and found very little guidance.

Has this ever happened to you?

After some thought, I have decided that my currently known options for depressurization of the cylinder are as follows:

1. Apply “excess” torque to the valve handle in an effort to open the valve, despite the possibility of breaking the valve stem.

2. Slowly unscrew the over pressurization disc retainer until air begins to escape.

3. Suspend the cylinder upside down and immerse the valve in an ultrasonic cleaner in an effort to free the valve stem.

4. Transport the cylinder to a hydrostatic testing facility and let them solve the problem.

Action Plan: I consider both option 1 and 2 to be slightly risky. So, I plan to try option 3 (as I have access to an ultrasonic cleaner, and the attempt will not damage the components or put me at risk). If this is not successful, then option 4 is next in line (I will telephone hydrostatic test facilities in an effort to find a professional who is willing to solve this problem).

Stay Safe!

Dave Wills

January 2021 Safety Message: Does your Favorite Dive Boat have O2?

Does Your Favorite Dive Boat Have Oxygen on Board?

Have you asked if your favorite dive boat has oxygen on board? Does your favorite dive boat have enough oxygen on board to get a diving casualty back to shore-side EMTs before the oxygen supply is exhausted?

Divers Alert Network (DAN) sells oxygen kits that contain from 20 to 105 minutes of O2 at a delivery rate of 12 liters/min.

This delivery rate is about 3 times the O2 delivery rate used for patients receiving supplemental oxygen for acute respiratory illnesses.

Both DAN and PADI offer a course entitled Emergency Oxygen Provider (or something very similar) that helps you recognize scuba diving illnesses or conditions that are treatable with emergency oxygen. Has anyone aboard your favorite dive boat received this training?

All these questions are worth asking as you next board your vessel of choice.

Breathe Easy My Friends!

October 2020 Safety Message: Weight Control.... Don't Lose your Weights!

When you were taking your dive certification class, you are undoubtedly taught to wear your weights in a manner so that you could easily jettison them and get to the surface in an emergency.

The traditional diver wears his/her weights on a weight belt that is secured around the waist by a single buckle. A quick pull on the tail of the belt or on the buckle lever and the weight belt drops.

Many current buoyancy compensators have weight pockets on each side. The weights are typically secured in the pockets by Velcro fasteners that are designed to be rapidly released. Sooo, how many of you have ever needed to jettison weights at any time during your diving career? Not very many of you I bet.

However, I’ve seen numerous people inadvertently lose their weight belt while diving. This has happened to me once or twice. An accidental tug on the free end of the weight belt or on the buckle and your weight belt is gone. This is not an issue if you’re on the bottom and you can swim and pick up your weights, but it can be a major issue if you are finishing your dive and are approaching your safety stop when you suddenly lose some or all of your dive weights. You may rapidly and uncontrollably bob to the surface.

Not a good situation if your dive computer shows that you are near decompression requirements. Don’t let this happen to you! It could ruin your day! I recommend you carry your weights in several locations, such as the 2 side pockets in addition to a weight belt. This way if you accidentally lose one of the weight packs, you probably can maintain control of your buoyancy.

Be Safe!
Dave Wills

September 2020 Safety Message: Lionfish Spines…They Can Ruin Your Dive and Your Day

In keeping with our presentation this evening, I’d like to briefly comment on lionfish spine injuries.

Many of you who have harvested lionfish in the past are aware of the toxic and painful stings they can produce.

The dorsal, anal and the pelvic fins of the lionfish all have very sharp toxic spines that can easily penetrate any glove or clothing material.

If you are stung while diving its best practice to surface and seek 1st aid:  take a pain killer and immerse the effected body part in hot water to deactivate the neurotoxin.

Handle with care!  These spines can ruin your day!

Be Safe
Dave Wills