September 2021 Safety Message: How do you open your tank valve?

Fully Open, Then One Quarter Turn Back ... Not!

Most of us have been taught in our SCUBA training to open a tank valve fully and then turn it back ¼ turn prior to diving. In recent years there’s been a lot of discussion about this practice, because occasionally it may be unclear to a user, or to the dive buddy, what position the tank valve is actually in. Unfortunately, SCUBA tank valves typically don’t have a position indicator that displays when it’s fully open, fully closed, or somewhere in between (more about that below).

I believe the current consensus in the diving industry is to fully open a valve or fully close a valve and not turn the valve ¼ turn back from the fully open position. This allows a user or a dive buddy to get immediate feedback when turning the valve on or off, or when checking the valve position. It is very important however to make sure you don’t over torque the valve in either direction.

Remember the age old rhyme: righty tighty, lefty loosey applies. This applies when the user is looking at a valve, and the valve stem or valve knob is pointed towards the operator. Another way to remember this is Clockwise-Close, Anticlockwise-Open.

At least 1 manufacturer is currently building tank valves with a color-coded ring between the valve handle and the valve body. These Vindicator Scuba Valves are available from many of your usual dive gear retailers. If the valve is closed, a red ring is displayed, and if the valve is open, a green ring is displayed. I understand a variation of this device is available (less than $20 each) for retrofit on an existing tank valve handle. These color-coded rings are not large, and they are not conspicuous from some viewing directions but may provide some level of added safety.

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Enjoy the water and stay safe!

Dave Wills ​

Update: our September speaker, Tec Clark, created a video on this topic. Please watch.

July 2021 Safety Message: Groundhog Day

“Groundhog Day” is a reference used from a movie when your days seem to repeat themselves or even sometimes the way you approach a task. Even though it is a comedy there is a message lying right under the surface that you can find if you look for it. For those that don’t know, the plot is simple. Guy wakes up to the same exact events everyday and as much as he tries to change events, the next day it always reverts back to the same day. Let’s imagine a scenario to see if you can relate to it better.

You’re excited because tomorrow morning you’ll be in your happy serene place submerged in a saline liquid that is trying to kill you. You’ve done hundreds of these death defying events and the risk factor has taken a back seat along with the bag of mangos that your friends are trying to get rid of. Diving is a lot of small tasks that you’ve performed numerous times with the same outcome.

The philosopher, Bill Murray, teaches us that if you start paying attention to the small things in your routine that are always overlooked for being inconsequential, it can make a difference. Still lost?

Here is another story, for those still trying to bring this all together. Imagine that you are all suited up, strapped in, air on, mask on, lionfish spear in hand and waiting for your turn to gracefully waddle to the edge of the boat to take that giant stride off the back. It’s easy, right? First item taught in PADI class is; How to do a giant stride. With one hand on your mask and the other holding your gear you take a step as if you can walk on water. After a split second of free fall the cool water smacks you hard to remind you to pay attention. At last, your happy place. After interacting with the gilled life you check your life gauge and see it is getting low. Time to surface and face reality.

Once out, you’re happy to be on the boat to share your latest adventure with someone willing to listen. You look around and start asking why the deck of the boat has this reddish water sloshing about. You tell yourself while chuckling internally, “some idiot got hurt again”. You finally sit down to take your gear off and notice that the water pouring out of your boot is red? OMG I STABBED MYSELF WITH THE LIONFISH SPEAR! One careless routine activity, such as a giant stride, that I considered inconsequential caused me to stab myself. Truth is, a few inches west and that spear would be called a shish kabob!

Mr. Murray teaches us that if you pay attention to the little things in your routine, you can make your world happy and safer. Even though you’ve done something a hundred times, slow down and pay attention. It just may keep you from having your dive buddies laugh at those new vent holes in your dive suit.

Elton Cerda
Sergeant at Arms

June 2021 Safety Message: Decompression Diving

During our June meeting we were fortunate to learn of the adventures of Tyler Phelps who dives very very deep into the Twilight Zone of the ocean and consequently has major decompression requirements after his dives.

I’d like to take this opportunity to remind members that South Florida Divers is a no decompression dive club. That means we don’t plan dives that are known to require decompression. We encourage members to plan dives that do not require mandatory decompression time.

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Obviously, we do encourage divers to take all decompression and safety stops required by their dive profile as they ascend to the surface after a dive.

I hope you all enjoyed the presentation during the meeting. I sure did! But remember... Tyler is a professional!

Whatever you do, don’t try this at home!

Be Safe

Dave Wills

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

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.

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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:

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  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