Strategies if an o-ring pops at depth

[Tortuga68]

it would also render unnecessary a visual inspection of the tank-which might have been called for if it was allowed to completely drain

Sorry I still don't get it, can you explain further please?

 

[captain]

This is a technique that I've only recently heard about (I read it here on SB) and something that I'll start doing - thanks.

J

There once was a time when regulators did not have purge buttons. It never seemed to cause problems.

 

[Tortuga68]

Great story coach, next time start with 'Once upon a time...'

 

[InTheDrink]

The whining component to this board can be trying. Sarcasm is indeed the lowest form of humour if indeed it can be called so.

I'm finding the information and tips here very helpful, including counter-reasons, so unless you've something constructive to add - and 'Great Story Coach' isn't one of them - please refrain from the childish and indulgent comments.

TIA,
J

 

[*dave*]

Sorry I still don't get it, can you explain further please?

Pretty universal policy for dive shops:
If the tank is drained, it would require a visual before being filled again.

 

[Tortuga68]

Pretty universal policy for dive shops:
If the tank is drained, it would require a visual before being filled again.

Thanks for the clarification. Can't say I've ever run across that policy, only time or "known condition" like Luxfer say http://www.luxfercylinders.com/downloads/docs/scubaguide.pdf

unless you've something constructive to add - and 'Great Story Coach' isn't one of them - please refrain from the childish and indulgent comments

Sorry coach!

 

[Hatul]

Raja Ampat 2007, my DM/Guide has his tank valve O-ring extrude resulting in a major leak on initial descent to 12m depth (he had a yolk/A-clamp tank valve and I had just switched over to a DIN valve for this dive). I donated my long hose, shut-down his tank valve, showed my SPG reading 190 bar (like you should always do during a S-drill), and we elected to continue the dive gas-sharing at 9m for 30min touring an absolutely gorgeous reef.

Cozumel 2006, my adjustment knob on the second stage blew-out resulting in a catastrophic nonfixable free-flow, on a single-tank dive in 6m of depth, during a weightbelt lead check. Switched to my bungied back-up reg around my neck and then modulated/feathered the tank valve behind my head while doing a CESA. (Should be a skill regularly practiced starting in basic open water IMHO).

The idea of continuing to dive while sharing air does not sit right with me. Granted it's a shallow dive, but now if the air supply fails you're both out of luck. If for some reason you can't quickly surface it's the end of both of you.

Adam

 

[vladimir]

The idea of continuing to dive while sharing air does not sit right with me. Granted it's a shallow dive, but now if the air supply fails you're both out of luck. If for some reason you can't quickly surface it's the end of both of you.

Adam

In the unlikely event of another gas supply failure, a CESA from 9 meters shouldn't be considered unduly risky. Presumably they monitored their gas supply and maintained adequate reserves to deal with an entanglement. If they had an entanglement and a gas supply issue, I guess they'd be screwed, but that's a lot of "if"s.

 

[Kevrumbo]

9m deep, 28deg C water with no current, crystal clear viz on a colorful Indonesian Reef teeming with abundant fish & invertebrate life --yeah the risk was worth it. . . !

 

[boulderjohn]

The only time I ever saw an O-ring failure under water, it was with a DIN valve.

Perhaps a description of the affair will be helpful in terms of what can be done.

It happened to the DM early on a dive in Cozumel. (I know it is usually yoke there, but not with Adora.) He was suddenly in a huge mass of bubbles. I was the closest to him, and he already had his BCD (Transpac) off when I got there. I helped him hold it in place while he worked. He first shut off his air. Seeing this and showing more foresight than you might otherwise attribute to me, I decided he might need another air source, so produced my alternate for his use. (He only took one breath while doing what follows--he clearly expected not to need my air at all.) He took his first stage off, saw that the O-ring had extruded, put it back into place, and replaced the reg on the valve. He turned on the air and resumed breathing.

He put the BCD back on, checked his air supply, and paused a while in thought. He finally decided he did not have enough air to complete the dive in a safe manner, and he returned to the surface to get a new tank while we hung out below. He returned in a couple of minutes and we went on with the dive.

Based on that experience, I do not think an O-ring problem at depth will generally require heroic measures to enable one to reach the surface.