Search results

I think I understand the point Storker is making. I do believe it is safe to dive without a BC under the conditions some of us (who actually dove quite a bit without BC's) described in our posts. Basically, you need to be CERTAIN that you can 1.) Control your depth without one, 2.)...

Yikes! Between 1976 and 2007 I cannot understand how I did not perish, based on that PADI statement ;). We began diving without BC's, octo's and dive computers. I was the the high tech diver in my group: I had an SPG! The rest relied on J-valves. Well, I had a J-valve too... does that...

Hi tarponchik, This is easy to answer. Mainly, my feeling is that on a boat you have extra helping hands besides the kind husband. And Kona boat diving spots in Kona are not "surf spots". You are at moorings with generally mild sea conditions, which is the attraction of Kona diving. 1.)...

Less than 1% since 1976. Of course, when solo diving I often "lose myself" in the beauty and wonder of my surroundings, so does that count? :rolleyes: :coffee: Seriously, all my buddy separations, and there have only been a very few, resolved themselves within a minute or so with my buddy...

You've gotten some good advice, and sorry for the late reply. As a dedicated shore diver my reply may surprise you: Please consider boat diving if you do not feel that your wife can support the weight of a tank on her back on dry land. Even Mahukona will require her to climb up a short ladder...

Great advice so far. My opinion is that if you are taking a big dive trip, why not assemble a complete spare reg set? I know it may sound extravagant, but if you consider it may prevent missing a dive (or entire DAY of diving), it may be worthwhile. While you can fairly quickly swap out a...

Yes you can swap them on your own. When removing/installing the hoses on the 2nd stages, be sure to use two wrenches to prevent "spinning" the connection on the 2nd stage, which houses the orifice. For all connections, finger tight plus just a little "tweak" with a short-handled wrench is...

I'm still not clear which entry point Diana used. I'm just assuming Paniau (Village End); I don't know the conditions that evening but in general the wind drops/dies near the time of sunset, and I do not think it was rough that evening; I do fully agree that 3' waves coming straight in to the...

Very sad. For those unfamiliar with this particular dive site, it is quite popular for an extensive, healthy reef that is a short swim from shore. It has lava tubes, swim-throughs, garden eels out in deeper water; in fact, by coincidence my avatar picture is take at Puako in about 60' of...

The wind was reported incorrectly. It will get gusty and windy at that location, but even 25 - 30 mph would be pretty "frisky" and most divers would not go out; also much above a 3' swell makes entry and exit "sporty" due to the shallow reef. This is quite sad. I have known Diana casually for...

I have been unable to detect any performance difference in my MR-22 by using the port adapter and 3/8" hoses, and likewise have detected zero performance difference between the standard length 1/2" hose and 40", 48", 60" and 72" length 3/8" hoses. No difference at all between 1/2" and 3/8"...

To test the regulator after servicing it you need to be able to pressurize the first stage to full working pressure. Most of us who service our own regulators use a scuba tank to do that. Shops have a compressor and banks of storage tanks. Also the air you use needs to be clean. Even if a...

Never heard of it. My guess is that you'd be buying a $5 paper weight, but maybe someone else has heard the name

Clean fresh water is the best and is really all you need; my rule is if I wouldn't drink it, I will not soak my regulator in it... well, I often drink coffee, and sometimes beer and wine, hot chocolate too... but they would probably not be good soaking agents.... Oh, never mind. Fresh water...

Welcome to the "club". Go here for the conversion parts to make your -109 a Balanced Adjustable, for the price of $40, and also any other bits and pieces that might need replacement...

For me it is as simple as deciding on a turn pressure and maximum depth / time for the dive. Most of my dives are reef dives, from shore, using AL80's and usually not exceeding 70 feet. Make the initial descent, continue out to the reef's drop off, decide whether to explore to the left or...

Hi Eric, I'll bite. What I look for these days is a regulator that I can easily find service kits for, either because the manufacturer makes the kits available, or there are enough kits floating around that access is not a major problem. HOG, Zeagle and Dive Rite are probably the easiest...

Another vote for calling Northeast Scuba Supply. I have not checked recently, but I have ordered service kits for the MR-22 and MR-12 from them in the past. And as mentioned above, the Aqualung SEA/Cousteau might use the same filter, and appears to be the correct HP poppet... and the service...

I use a Scubapro Mk5 / -109 (converted to balanced) as my "pony" regulator. A Mk2/R190 would be a great choice, as would a Conshelf... lots of good, basic, workhorse regs out there. My feeling is simple and "bomb-proof" is the main criteria for a "pony" regulator. A lot of regs will meet...

Does the Zeagle ZX (probably the 2nd stage that came with the Flathead 6) freeflow at all when not in your mouth? What I mean is does it slightly "hiss" when there is no back pressure, or does the problem only occur when breathing from it (and the other 2nd stage). It sounded from your...