Am I over reacting on my bad BC???

[JennT.]

Ok, This was the first time wearing my BC outside of my OW certification. I just moved to Cali and did a simple lake dive for the first time before I take on the waters of Northern Cali. When I was doing my pre-entry checks and to fit weights into the BC my strap broke and I was unable to pull out the left side integrated weight belt. Immediately I was thinking of the what ifs??? What if I would have entered the ocean for the first time with surf? This would have been my first time wearing a wet suit (7mm) in that ocean! My inexperience is working against me! From research and your 2nd OW class I have learned that dumping your weights is the last means of buoyancy, but it is still a means. What if I was unable to maintain buoyancy in the surf along with my inexperience? I feel like this had the potential to be fatal, am I over reacting? I ask this because the dive shop that I bought ALL of my gear from is treating it very simple. They say "Well, this is a new line, so..." SO WHAT? is what I am thinking. They want me to just exchange it. Quite frankly I am scared silly now! Keep in mind that this isn't the first time I have had a problem with my gear and I have only been at this for 4 months and 1 dive. AY ya ya! Any suggestions, comments, concerns are welcome. Am I totally of base here?

Thank you,
Jenn

 

[MantaRey]

I wouldn't call it over reacting; personally I get kinda pissed when I drop down good money on something and it ends up breaking the first time. If it is an inherent design flaw I'd get a total refund. They should test that sort of thing before it's released to the public.

Buoyancy in surf is an interesting issue. First it'll be pushing you towards the coast so you'll have to swim against that. Now for vertical movement; technically it's the same as if you were in open water the only difference is the up and down cycling movement of the surf. Just keep calm and stick to conditions within your experience level.

 

[Ironhed]

yes your over reacting. calm down you have to be able to calmly deal with any situation that arises. sometimes gear can malfunction it seems to me you just got a defective product. that is why we do predive gear checks. even in the event it had happened in the ocean you need to be able to deal with problems with a calm head and never never panic. you will be fine just relax get the gear problems figured out on land or in controled environments. I always test new gear somewhere safe first and make sure everything works well before i go out spearing fish in 100+ deep waters. I personally like the zeagle equipment for bc's they are as rugged as it gets and the company really stands behind the product if you have any problems. I have no idea what you bought. bottom line you get what you pay for typically and regs and bc's should be the best you can afford.

 

[Ann Marie]

Hi Jenn,

Take a big deep breath.

Okay, which BC do you own? If you post that info. then you'll get more opinions.

Enroll in an Advanced Open Water Diver Course. That will give you some more dives with an instuctor and it is a lot of fun. You'll also get to do some different types of diving. Diving with an instructor under supervision in new environments will go a long way for increasing you skill and comfort level.

As far as the strap breaking... If you were in need of having to ditch weights, ditching weights from one pocket would go a long way in helping to make you more buoyant. Don't freak out on the what ifs. Get some more experience and you'll feel better in being able to handle what may happen in the water.

If you ever get down to So. Cal. let me know and we'll go diving!!

Ann Marie

 

[Wildcard]

It's good you are working into diving at an easy pace building confidence as you go. Part of diving is learning to deal with equipment issues. In your place I would exchange the BC for a carefuly inspected new one and try it again. If it is an issues again I would demand a refund. Id also think about finding a new shop to deal with if your not being treated well.
Good luck and dive safe.

 

[JennT.]

Thanks, the shop is telling me that their store policy is no refunds.....I am ticked! Yes, it is a design flaw. The quick release strap is the ONLY way to remove the weights and it came completely out of the housing unit.

I also have a hard time releasing air for a descent. I have to pull really hard on the line and a lot of times just dump air then fill up to decrease pressure in my ears. Just a slough of problems.

I learned that at the surface of a dive is when more fatalities happen. If I was potentially unable to dump my weights for any reason it could also be a fatal.

This just seems crazy to me!

 

[Doc Intrepid]

Jenn,

On one hand it sucks when an expensive bit of gear breaks. If you want to explore other options that may lead you to stuff that doesn't break as often or easily, but that's for another thread.

Ann Marie and Ironhed are right, though, that more diving experience will let you put that kind of failure into perspective - it isn't a nonrecoverable failure.

Take three deep breaths. Take your BC to a dive shop and have it repaired or replaced. It should still be under warranty. If you still can't get comfortable with it, eBay the thing. There are only about a million other options for you to consider, and I'm pretty sure we can find one that will provide the confidence that you require.

[HINT: don't pull really really 'hard on the line' to dump air. You'll pull the entire assembly out of the BC. I've seen it done. Instead, ignore the pull-dump feature and release gas via the oral inflator. More control, less hassle... YMMV.]

Big thing is to keep on diving as often as you can, always ensure that you dive to YOUR comfort level and don't be afraid to bail on any dive where you think you're getting over your head. Sometimes buddies have a way of trying to get you to go a tad faster than you are comfortable with, and then is the time to listen to that small voice in your head.

Also, additional classes will allow you to relax more quickly (being in the company of an instructor), and will offer you constructive tips and ways to increase your skill level while under supervision. In particular, the Rescue course is one you should make sure you take when the time is right.

Be safe,

Doc

 

[JennT.]

Thanks Guys! My heart is beating at more regular pace. I know I sound panicked but I am more ticked at this shop than anything. It has been one thing right after another. I actually tried to get a refund once when I realized the BC wasn't releasing air and they denied me. Now for this to happen I am wondering what is next. It is a Mares. I have heard good, but mostly bad. The shop is in Utah Ive moved to Cali and the shop wants me to exchange......I don't want to deal with them anymore.

Thank you again,

 

[Ann Marie]

Jenn,

Exchange the BC. It does no good to you as it is and who knows, after diving with one that is working properly you may find that you really like it.

If you don't want to deal with the dive shop that you bought it at, take it and the reciept into a different dive shop. They should at least be able to return it to Mares and Mares can make the needed repair/replacement.

Good luck!

Ann Marie

 

[PerroneFord]

Sounds like you need a new shop. ASAP. And maybe some advice from divers local to you about what equipment actually WORKS and is solid where you dive.

As Doc said, there is gear out there that simply won't fail like this. Take your time, do some research, and you'll find answers.

I do find it curious as many people who espouse these quick-release systems claim they've never heard of one breaking. Now they have a concrete example.