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Did you obtain your basic open water certification and receive a c-card? If so, then you’ll be able to take an advanced open water course with another dive operation / instructor.

First, you can’t go wrong with either the Apeks or SP choices you’ve made, The Apeks XTX200 is actually the reference to the second stage, although in the US market if refers to both stages; normally it is paired with the FSR first stage. This set up compares to ScubaPro’s Mk17 / G260...

The buoyancy characteristics and length differ between the AL80 and ST100 may play a role. Many divers who dive in cold water using drysuits prefer a steel cylinder over an aluminum. Some divers prefer the ST100 because it is shorter and doesn’t hang below their rump. A downside to the...

There is a bit of a misconception here regarding obsolete vs a tech trained, more accurately not trained, to work on a particular unit. When a new person goes through a tech course with SP they learn how to service the regs that are in the latest catalog, meaning only the current regs that are...

Years ago I wrote a paper on pregnancy and diving because I always told the answer was no due to the lack or research. There has been some research, most in retrospect, yet I don’t remember seeing anything about diving after childbirth. I recommend asking this question to,DAN...

Dr. Neal Pollock, formerly with DAN Americas, noted repetitive dives have not been a clear contributor to DCS and many divers experienced the malady on the first dive. He also mentioned there are documented cases of caisson workers who experienced the bends on Monday more so than the rest of...

It is simply called an alternate second stage on the BCD inflator / corrugated hose. Quite often people use the brand name, such as Air2 for SP, AirSource for AL, or SS1 for Atomic, so forth.

DIN is the same in Europe and North America. Get a DIN to yoke adaptor for not every place uses DIN valves. Scubapro offers a nice DIN to yoke adaptor, although a bit pricey yet worth it.

A soft rubber piece mentioned above works really to remove the cover.

It is possible the technician didn’t put enough lubricant in the bushings of the Mk25. It may stop making noise over a few dives or it may not; you’ll have to dive it to find out. I’ve learned to use plenty of cristo lube in the bushings when servicing Mk25s. If the the noise does not stop...

since you already own a couple of Aqualung regs go with another one such as the simple, yet durable, Calypso. It is similar in performance to the ScubaPro Mk2 / R195 regulator. I used both for rental regs and each held up well. With the Calypso you can get the same type of second stages for...

There are some good remarks above such as liability and obtaining tools. I personally chose not to skimp and purchased the proper or equivalent tools. It made life much easier when servicing. I personally got a lot out of SP’s reg course and still do when I renew. Joining rslingler’s course...

You can ask the fill station operator / shop to fill the cylinder to the pressure rating of the shop when you drop them off. I’ve seen some places over fill them by a couple of hundred psi then let them cool down so the pressure reaches the working pressure of the cylinder, or fill the cylinder...

Pink has several advantages, no one will take it. For years I used a pink snorkel for teaching and no one took it, everyone knew it was mine. It eventually broke and I had to get a new one. In the book Deep Decent, Fatal Depth, or Last Dive, one of those three, a diver had a pink alternate...

I wouldn’t say the G260 is “better”. Only the user can define / determine what “better” means. What I do like about the G260 over the S620Ti, for my diving, is the lack of a separate friction washer for it is part (the blue plastic piece) of the diaphragm cover. The G260 has a metal barrel...

From a servicing point of view it is nice to work on. It is definitely an improvement over the later S-series, as in it is easier to break down, re-assemble, and tune. So far, everyone whom I know that dives the S620Ti really like it.

Twice I have seen people get smacked in the face by the face plate when they opened the valve even though they were told to turn it away and turn the wheel/handle slowly. Not all SPGs have the plug in the back. It is not unheard of for teachers, instructors, professors to pass on...

Years ago I was told by many to change the battery in my computer yourself and don’t worry about getting the kit with an o-ring. Big mistake, my computer flooded. I’ve seen it happen to other people who followed that advice.

Not sure where you are in MT. Check with Shane in Billings with US Water Rescue. I’ve worked with him and can say he is very competent and worth dealing with. He also has a strong tech and psd background along with experience diving in MT.

I was living and working for OF in 2004 when Ivan hit. Going through the hurricane was one thing; dealing with the aftermath was a worse. Working at OF consisted of long days, 07:00 to 18:00 or later if working the night dive.