Getting Back in the Water, but have an important question

[DaleC]

Humm... Perhaps You should talk to your Inspector training agency.

From PSI/PCI:

The aluminum cylinder cracking issue came to light in the early 80’s. The dive industry has been slow to understand the facts surrounding the actual issue. They were however quick to learn that cylinder sales can be brisk by citing the perceived danger. Many dive business employees use the adage “we are using industry standards to be safe” which simply do not exist. Industry practices may exist but are wildly interpreted and carried out by individuals who assume they are knowledgeable following a “Salty Sea Dog’s” method of inspecting cylinders; after all, he has inspected cylinders for 25 years! We often hear from those less informed that aluminum cylinders should not be used after 10, 15 or even 20 years. Aluminum cylinders do not have a limited lifespan! They are valid for continued service as long as they pass required inspections and tests in accordance with the Federal Government. Aluminum cylinders produced for the diving industry in 1972 are valid for service today as long as they pass required inspections and tests...

PSI-PCI - Cylinder Inspections and Ethics

and:

Some air stations no longer fill cylinders made from 6351 alloy. While that is a personal decision, it may be a poor business practice. A few dive business employees have told cylinder owners that 6351 alloy cylinders have been recalled. NO, scuba cylinders have been recalled. Others state that the cylinder must be condemned outright. Such statements border on fraud and it is illegal to condemn a cylinder without proof that it is damaged beyond allowable limits...

PSI-PCI - A short Review of 6351 Alloy Aluminum Cylinders

 

[Wolfie]

With 12 tanks for 3 people you should be fine going to any quarry. If any one try's inspecting your tanks just tell them what kind they are. That would be the full kind or the empty kind.

 

[beaverdivers]

Ninety percent of cylinder accidents occur at the fill station during fills.

 

[redacted]

Ninety percent of cylinder accidents occur at the fill station during fills.

Interesting point (assuming it is correct) but so what??? Are you saying the fill stations need to be better designed to protect operators from such accidents? Are you saying that fill stations should deny service even when a tank meets all established standards? What?

BTW, looking at Athens Scuba Park site, it looks like they also refuse to fill old Aluminum tanks so maybe the OP got lucky this time. We really need to know what the markings are - manufacturer and first hydro.

 

[windapp]

In my opinion, anybody filling a tank has a right to refuse to fill it for any reason. If a scuba tank ruptured, it would essentially be a very powerful bomb. However, if someone refused to fill a tank with up-to-date hydro and visual, and you payed admission to go there, it would only be proper to refund the cost of admission for you and your companions.

 

[ktomlinson]

You should have either been refunded your entry fee or comped the rental fee for the tanks unless they had the notice posted where you paid for entry. I had two old al80's that I got rid of just so I wouldn't have to deal with the hassle, although they had been tested and passed too.

 

[Paladin]

Conversely, there is a shop in my area (as Jim Lapenta noted) that will fill any aluminum tank that has passed its tests but absolutely refuses to fill steel 72s.

To the OP: What brand are your tanks? Catalinas never used the bad alloy and any Catalina, regardless of age, should be accepted by any dive intelligently-run shop.

 

[socaljohn]

off thread sorry...

Conversely, there is a shop in my area that will fill any aluminum tank that has passed its tests but absolutely refuses to fill steel 72s.

Dang I saw a note like that on another thread and thought he had it backwards...what is the rationale for not filling steel 72?

 

[Paladin]

off thread sorry...


Dang I saw a note like that on another thread and thought he had it backwards...what is the rationale for not filling steel 72?

He claims he's heard of steel 72s letting go at the neck. Nothing I could say had any effect. He absolutely refuses to fill steel 72s, regardless of how fresh the hydro is.

 

[TequilaBrad]

Would you be willing to reproduce the list here? And could you tell us which of the tanks on the list are yours? It'd add some context to the conversation.

There's been some misinformation spread around over the years about this issue ... and different shops tend to take different positions. It boils down to shop policy, which is hard to know before actually visiting the shop.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

Bob, the photo copied list is a full 4 pages long. I just found the info online, here is the article
Notice No. 94-7; Safety Advisory; High Pressure Aluminum Seamless and Aluminum Composite Hoop-Wrapped Cylinders