The 20 Skills Broken Down

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lishen

Contributor
Scuba Instructor
Divemaster
Messages
108
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Location
New York City
# of dives
200 - 499
I'm giving this a shot...it's just a starting point so feel free to add comments! This is just how my shop taught me, I'm sure that there are some good aspects and some that may not make too much sense.

1. Equipment Assembly
  • Check tank o-ring
  • With tank facing away, open tank valve slightly using hang to deflect slow to your face so you can smell the air
  • Wet BC strap
  • Hook BC tank strap d-ring to c-shaped cutout on the other side (students are in Scubapro classic jackets)
  • Place BC over tank
  • Adjust height; the neck of the BC should be at about tank valve height
  • Secure tank and close tank strap buckle with palm of hand (watch fingers!)
  • With tank and BC facing away, unscrew yoke nut and remove dust cap
  • Grab second stages in right hand, spg and lpi in the left
  • Spin first stage so yoke nut faces you
  • Place first stage over tank valve
  • Seat first stage
  • Tighten yoke nut – 3 finger tight
  • Attach inflator hose (point out pinch and push action)
  • Turn SPG face down on floor
  • Depress purge valve of one of the second stages
  • Turn on air slowly, let go of purge as soon as air comes out
  • If no leaks, turn on air fully
  • Back off air 1/4 turn
  • Secure SPG
  • Secure alternate air source
  • Lay tank down on deck

Donning Equipment
  • Don weight belt
    • Hold webbing end/loose end in right hand, buckle in left
    • Step over belt
    • Bring up to waist
    • Lean over so belt is supported by your back
    • Secure buckle
  • Buddy secures tank (hold up supported by knee)
  • Lean over to support weight while you buckle/fasten BC
  • Buddy holds tank until you say you got it!
 
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2. Predive Safety Check
Go over BWRAF, Employ pneumonic of choice - Beans With Rice And Fish, Begin With Review And Friend, Bruce Willis Ruins All Films, Blonde Women Really Are Fun, etc...
B for BC
  • Check buckles
  • Check inflator is connected
  • Check that it inflates and deflates
W for Weights
  • Check right hand release
  • Check that the end is not tucked in
  • Check weights are positioned evenly
  • Check weights are clear of any obstruction (hoses)
R for Releases
  • Check BC releases (quick releases, cummerbund)
  • Check tank strap is secure
A for Air
  • Breathe off of each second stage while watching SPG needle
  • Check condition of each mouthpiece and tie-wrap
  • Check securing of alternate air source
  • Check tank valve is all the way open
F for Final OK
  • Nothing dangling
  • Have other gear: watch/time/computer, compass
  • Mask is defogged and fins are nearby
 
You forgot to wet the BC strap. Keep tank cradled between your feet or knees so it is secure at all times. Have gear handy so you don't have to leave tank unattended.

First I've heard of depressing purge valve while turning on air. Backing off 1/2 turn sounds excessive.
 
3. Deep Water Entry
Giant Stride
  • Approach pool edge sideways or backwards
  • Inflate BC half way
  • Check area for other divers
  • Real toes up to pool edge
  • Mask on, regulator in mouth
  • Hold mask and regulator with right hand
  • Left hand holds spg and weight belt buckle
  • Pick up leading foot enough to clear water (or you’ll belly flop)
  • Look straight out
  • Step wide off edge, landing with legs apart
  • Check buoyancy
  • Give DM ok and move out of the way
Back Roll
  • Approach pool edge sideways or backwards
  • Inflate BC half way
  • Heels up to pool edge, feet shoulder width apart
  • Mask on, regulator in mouth
  • Check for other divers
  • Hold mask and regulator with right hand
  • Hold back of mask strap with left hand
  • Bend at the knees as if sitting on the edge of the boat
  • Fall on back
  • Check buoyancy
  • Give DM ok and move out of the way
 
Thanks reefhound, I always tell students to back it off a 1/4 turn - not sure why I wrote 1/2. Updated to include wetting bc strap.
 
Thanks for this thread, I am looking forward to seeing the rest of the skills broken down.
 
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4. Buoyancy Check at the Surface
  • Regulator in mouth
  • Deflate BC completely
  • Hang vertical and motionless while holding a normal breath, if properly weighted you should float at eye level
  • As a check, exhale. You should sink slowly
  • Add or subtract weight until you float at eye level holding a normal breath
 
B for BC
  • Check buckles
  • Check inflator is connected
  • Check that it inflates and deflates

Check buckles comes under Releases.

For the BCD:

- Check LP hose is properly connected.
- Inflate until over-pressure valve opens.
- Check inflator hose pull-dump.
- Check deflate button.
- Check all other pull-dumps.
- Check oral inflation works.
 
If we are doing this in order, and the buoyancy check happens directly after the deep water entry, wouldn't that make the diver ~4 lbs under-weighted at 500 psi? We did start with a full tank didn't we?
 
If we are doing this in order, and the buoyancy check happens directly after the deep water entry, wouldn't that make the diver ~4 lbs under-weighted at 500 psi? We did start with a full tank didn't we?

Yeah, this is always a bit of a silly one. Basically you should check buoyancy as usual and then increase weighting by the weight of the gas. PADI is not very clear on all this...
 
https://www.shearwater.com/products/perdix-ai/

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