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Encouraged by the dive-trip operators that I travel with, I have been a “Preferred” DAN member for several years. This year at renewal time, I noticed the former three levels of DAN coverage with “Preferred”$$ in the middle (flanked by “Guardian”$$$ and “Master”$) has been replaced by...

I dive sidemount off boats. Some boats have walk-through transoms, some have step-over transoms, some have narrow stairs or ladders with railings. I usually find a way to wear both sidemount tanks and get into the water. When getting out of the water, I usually “hand-up” or hang the right tank...

I just returned from a ver pleasant dive trip aboard the Turks & Caicos Explorer II. There was a crew of 6 (captain, purser, engineer, chef and two mates). The crew members were scuba instructors. The first thing that impressed me was the energy and passion of the crew. The food and...

I was disappointed in having what I considered “an excessive bubble” in my drysuit when I ascended. This sometimes made it difficult to stop at 15’ or 20’. The SiTech vent valve has received lots of praise. So, I decided to replace the original Apeks with a SiTech. I fabricated a tool to help...

I’m a Great Lakes wreck diver. I was just presented with the opportunity to stay in Kitty Hawk the first two weeks of November. This is my visit to this area. I’m seeking information about diving-perhaps the Hatteras area. I notice that the dive charters appear to end in September or October. If...

I just got back from my third trip to Buddy Dive, Bonaire. I noticed that backmount doubles, side mount BCD’s and tanks were available for rent (DIN valves). Blended trimix was also available. I also saw a rebreather being used there for the first time. The boat diving is still 100’ max but...

Hi All, I love the fit and other characteristics of the Scubapro Spectra dive mask. I've had over 100 dives on it and the silicone tab that holds the strap buckle tore open. I like the mask and saw no reason to retire it so soon. I removed the silicone tab and drilled two holes in the...

I picked up a couple of steel 72's with mfg dates in the '70's and have ¾" NPS threads. Hydro's are 2017 and are not 'plus' rated. I want to use these for sidemount and purchased left and right modular DIN valves. Of course the burst disks for the DIN valves are too high for these tanks. I...

Hi Old Divers, I just passed the 70 year milestone and things are still going well. For the first 5 years of diving I had only one c-card. I didn't get a third card for another 30 years. Now I have several and some people have begun labeling me a 'card collector.' I have taken lots of...

I dive sidemount off a boat. My preference is to kit up and walk off the back of the boat. With two Worthington LP85's and ballast, I'm supporting about 80#. I noticed that there is an FX71DVB cylinder made by Faber and marked BSE71 rated at 3442PSI. The catalog lists the FX71 as 25# while...

I have a 109 that I sent it to Scubapro to upgrade to a balanced adjustable. Upon using the regulator, I noticed that the breathing effort would change during the dive. It has never been what I would characterize as dangerous. In some cases with rapid or full inhalation the valve would open...

OK I will admit 'wrong doing' up front. I went to a resort and did a bunch of group diving but I also did a bunch of solo diving. My solo dive training training stressed that redundant air be used. I had a second regulator but the only tanks available were aluminum 80's. That just seemed like...

I have been open-water sidemount diving for about two years now. I love it for beach diving and for boat diving. However, I have not used it for travel to the Caribbean resorts, where the typical setup is a back mounted single 80. I have the Hollis SMS75 which could be configured as a single...

A very old habit from backmount days: I record my tank pressures before I descend the anchor line and then again when I reach the surface and later calculate SAC rate for each dive (it amuses me). In sidemount configuration, it takes me an uncomfortably long time to retrieve the wet notes from...

I was the typical casual scuba diver (<20 dives a year) until I retired. Then I kicked it into high gear (>100 dives a year). My goal now is to experience new adventures, new challenges and continuous training and improvement of skills. I now regularly solo dive (with the certification). I...

A week after my 68th birthday, I joined a bunch of youth in a TDI Advanced Nitrox/Deco course. I handled the 7 dives better than I expected. Actually, hauling the tanks up and down the boat ramp was the greatest challenge physically. The mask-less swim in 41F water was my least favorite...

Hi Folks, I went ice diving last weekend with my club and I had one of my usual problems when using my drysuit. When I don't have an ascent line (like a boat mooring or other references) I often have difficulty coming up the water column and making a nice controlled ascent and stop at the...

My canister light has the normal toggle switch with a rubber boot that fits over it. There are some canister lights that have a waterproof piezo switch installed. Has anyone on the forum ever swapped a normal toggle for a piezo switch?

I have an Aqua Lung mask with the Cardanic buckle system. It is my favorite mask but a pin in the Cardanic buckle was damaged while on the boat. I am still diving with it, with a temporary repair, but I would like to purchase a replacement Cardanic joint. Could someone help direct me? Thanks

I am committed to convert to sidemount. I immediately liked the features of the Hollis SMS75 so I purchased one. On the SMS75 the inflator can be attached to the left bottom of the wing or at the left shoulder. It came attached to the bottom. Mounted at the bottom, the inflator seemed to...