Aug 8th MAG boat dive...

[Anti-Hero]

I've never been asked for a card of any kind when lugging a set of doubles into a shop. When I'd bring singles in I'd get carded all the time.

 

[mikemill]

The nitrox section of my class went something like this:

"Something something fO2, something something ppO2 MOD, something EAD but END, something something M-O and carbon dioxide, something CNS/pulmonary oxygen toxicity, something something dark side, something something complete."

I don't recall tank wraps or stickers being discussed. I have heard of people around here getting hassled over stickers, but none of the shops I've been to in the bay area or Monterey have ever made a fuss over my bare tanks.

Are sticker requirements typically discussed for Nitrox cert?

And people bash PADI

We did talk about stickers/markings/etc.

 

[msbrew]

I even remember the sticker discussion from the class. in fact, thats about all i remember

 

[Gombessa]

And people bash PADI

We did talk about stickers/markings/etc.

This document (GUE) (and this one (UTD)) explains the gaping holes in my education:

1.7 Cylinder Marking Standards
1. Dive cylinders should be free of unnecessary stickers and markings. They should bear a current Visual Inspection sticker and Hydro test sticker, as detailed by current country-specific regulations. VIP stickers (if required) should be placed so as to create minimum distraction fromthe MOD markings.
...
5. ... No additional Nitrox stickers, or indication that the cylinder does not
contain air, are required.
...
2.1.3.10 Equipment Requirements
Each student should have, and be familiar with, all of the following required equipment:

1. Tanks/Cylinders: Students required to use dual tanks/cylinders with a dual outlet isolated manifold, which allows the use of two first-stages. Students also need one decompression tank/cylinder of Nitrox 35. The cylinder should not be smaller than approximately 30 cubic feet / 4 liters and no big larger than approximately 80 cubic feet / 11 liters. Cylinders must be free from any unnecessary decals/stickers or cylinder wraps.

I'm curious though, what's the standard taught by PADI/NAUI/SSI/etc.? Do they encourage tank wraps? Mandate them? Require affiliated shops to enforce them?

 

[Brewski]

Fact is the PADI Enriched air diving manual does say that Enriched air cylinders have standardized stickers and/or tags, and color coding generally accepted by the international dive community. these markings assure that you can readily identify an enriched air tank...

Note these are not required by law, and if you don't want to have your tank wrapped that's fair. but don't cry when the shop of your choice refuses to fill a non wrapped tank.

 

[Anti-Hero]

If a local shop refused to fill my tanks because I didn't have some unnecessary wrap, it would be the last time my shadow darkened their door step. And I'd probably publicly bash them on all the diving forums I belong too as a form of protest. There are plenty of shops to patronize if one doesn't suit your needs.

 

[Brewski]

I have no previous exposure to the GUE or UDT teachings. I am curious why they choose to differ in this area. If the sport diving community has agreed that obvious markings are a good idea. why would the Hogarthian based agencies not. Just to be conterary? Yes I have read that the stickers can trap salt and encourage corrosion, but so can the large adhesive MOD stickers commonly used.

 

[Anti-Hero]

I have no previous exposure to the GUE or UDT teachings. I am curious why they choose to differ in this area. If the sport diving community has agreed that obvious markings are a good idea. why would the Hogarthian based agencies not. Just to be conterary? Yes I have read that the stickers can trap salt and encourage corrosion, but so can the large adhesive MOD stickers commonly used.

GUE says that tanks are to have no extraneous markings as a means of proper identification. For instance, if you have a tank cluttered with useless stickers and markings it may make important markings, such as MOD or Mix less visible.

 

[Gombessa]

but don't cry when the shop of your choice refuses to fill a non wrapped tank.

Why so? Is it actually an international standard? I have no idea since I've 1) never had an issue getting nitrox fills without stickers and 2) I've seen nitrox-filled tanks locally and in Australia, Bahamas, UAE and other dive locations that don't have any kind of identifying wraps. My sample is probably small, but it certainly isn't doing a good job of convincing me that there is any real standard being complied with!

I am curious why they choose to differ in this area. If the sport diving community has agreed that obvious markings are a good idea. why would the Hogarthian based agencies not. Just to be conterary?

My understanding is that you don't always need to have EAN in your cylinder. It could be trimix, it could be pure O2, it really depends on what you choose to fill for the dive you want to do. As such, the sticker isn't always correct, and even when it is, simply saying "Nitrox" isn't imparting a lot of useful information. [shrug]

 

[Anti-Hero]

Why so? Is it actually an international standard?

Nope, it's a completely arbitrary "suggestion." - There is no standard.