A leaking SPG - no back up. Now what?

[plclark196]

I consider myself lucky enough to live in Florida - so lots of diving within an hour or two of home. I travel with what I consided an ample surplus of gear and tools to save a dive - just in case. I dive with an analog spg/computer console . Last week as I'm opening up my valves I hear a gas leak coming from my spg fitting. After doing a little "tire kicking" I found I could not stop the leak. Now what...no dive today? So it turns out that this is one weak link in my box of back up goodies...no back up spg! Now I'm pondering adding this to my list of back up items as this is a real dive killer. What do you think..do you carry a spare spg- with a HP hose? Anything else you have come accross that is a real dive killer ?...other than the real basic/obvious ones.

 

[MauiScubaSteve]

Which fitting was leaking, at the first stage or at the spg? Hearing a leak is not likely a spindle problem; I know some divers who have the proper spindle for their spg in their save a dive kit. When first stages are new they have port plugs in all but the primary second port. Port plugs should be in the save a dive kit, to hold the o-rings for emergencies. Also, if your low pressure inflator hose failed before the dive you could just plug the port and orally inflate your BC during the dive. If the leak is from the crimped hose seal, extra hoses are the only save for a spg (or second stage).

 

[String]

Id just dive it if its leaking from the HP hose > SPG connection (as is normally the case being just an o-ring).

The amount of leakage is negligible especially given the orifice size of a HP connection.

 

[JKPAO]

I carry a spare gauge with hose. also spare lp hose and complete reg.
I don't want to miss a dive if I can help it.
The parts are fairly cheap compared the cost of a charter.
See you topside! John

 

[redacted]

I carry a complete spare reg, ready to go. I don't intend to miss a dive due to a regulator problem.

 

[KGNickl]

I use AI wrist computer, worst case scenario for me would be to remove the transmitter and hookup my big bulky console. Used to have a backup computer as well, but I sold it because it was heavy and bulky. Going to pick up another backup puck style computer soon enough for a backup.

Also chances are that if your diving with friends 1-2 of them have a backup they might just lend you for the day.

 

[Tom Smedley]

Gas leaking from the swivel connection on your high pressure hose is most likely coming from the spindle. I don't bother carrying the small o rings but carry spare spindles instead. Takes a couple of minutes to change one.

Gas coming from pinholes in the rubber of the hose means a leaking hose. This is no big deal until the leak gets bad. Then replace the hose.

Just carry a spare regulator with octo and spg and you already have a spare everything.

 

[Daz]

Gas leaking from the swivel connection on your high pressure hose is most likely coming from the spindle. I don't bother carrying the small o rings but carry spare spindles instead. Takes a couple of minutes to change one.

Spindle = Spool, yes?

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Yes I carry both orings and spindle. I also carry a spare guage and hose diving local. Flying I make sure I know where the nearest lds is. Although I have taken the spare guage and hose in the reg bag. Does not take up much room. I even took a spare first stage to Bonaire.

 

[TSandM]

I actually had an SPG go bad on me in Cozumel . . . started leaking into the face. No problem the first day, but then the water began growing stuff and obscuring the face so I couldn't read it. It was great fun running around the city, looking for a dive shop that sold regular old SPGs. Several had them in consoles, but I really didn't want to pay a couple hundred dollars for a bunch of gauges I didn't need and wouldn't use!

For home diving, my save-a-dive kit has spindle o-rings in it, spare HP and LP hoses, a spare second stage, a spare computer, spare dry gloves (and a wet set in case of ring problems), and a spare mask. But it doesn't have a spare SPG. Hmm.