Dive World Austin says they do not maintain rental equipment until it fails

[ZenDiver.3D]

"I kept track of my air but it I was pretty low after about 5 minutes or so."

why is anyone arguing with this statement?

I believe that having rental equipent that is maintained and works properly is not too much to ask for

Absolutely, DB.
Our gear is serviced at the beginning and end of every season. We break it all down. We carry save a dive kits adn an extra set of gear on every boat. I think it is more than reasonable to expect solid functional equipment, as opposed to "this isn't a huge problem, just dive it," equipment....

If you can't give out good working equipment, don't rent it out.
I do not rent equipment unless they are on my boat. I have Zeagle bc's and regs, and also Apeka regs. I like my gear and don't want it out of my sight. this also helps us take care of our gear.

OP, you do have some good advice in this thread. I personally would say buy your own gear. You know it will be taken care of, but until then, shop around and make them hook up gear to a tank before you leave the shop.

 

[Lake Travis Scuba]

Did you watch the entire video? Obviously not...

Because they cut TWO regulator hoses. not one. First they cut a HP hose, which took forever to drain, then came back and cut the LP hose.

the LP hose is what took two minutes to drain.

I forwarded through the video until the end, and missed the second hose cut and I stand corrected. The small orifice of the HP hose slows down the release of air whereas the large passage of the LP hose blasts the air rapidly. I missed the second cut, my error.

The point that this is not a serious problem as posted by Rat Pix is entirely wrong. The gauge in question was releasing air rapidly and was cause to end the dive. The gear he had was in poor working condition and should not have been released from the shop. The OP was clearly expressing his opinion as a consumer about the quality of the equipment and the service he received from the shop. New divers expect the gear to be in working condition when it is rented. Although gear can and will have failures it is the responsibility of the shop to maintain working equipment just as it is the responsibility of the diver to check the equipment when renting.

 

[redacted]

While the shop clearly porked the pooch here, a renter needs to do a fairly simple inspection of the gear they are renting to prevent this from happening. See the inspection sticky in the regulator forum. Also, assemble the gear at the shop and check it out. Do the vacuum check. Then turn the tank on and listen. Bit leaks are obvious. To detect small leaks, turn the tank off and watch the SPG for a few minutes. If everything is good, there should be no pressure drop. A bad connection between the tank and the reg often causes a slow drop. A twist of the 1st stage will often effect or even stop such a leak, letting you know where the problem is. When I encounter such a leak with my own gear, I usually dive it anyway if the leak is stopped or slowed by the twist of the 1st stage. Your decision if you are renting.

Don't leave the shop with their gear if you are not satisfied with it.

 

[cbrich]

in which case, it is the diver (or his mindset) that is the safety risk. a lot of rental seconds i've breathed have had real stiff cracking pressure, easy breathing is a _relatively_ new luxury in diving; but the OP made it sound like a blown o-ring had nearly dried his tank in 5 minutes, which WOULD have been an incident.

You so called "easy breathing" are NOT a relatively new luxury option, in fact they have been around for a long time, several decades. I remember looking at the MK25/S600 back in 2001, and the last time I looked at the Scubapro website, and the local dealer, they still make this regulator, with some cosmetic changes. The G250 second stage, which is being copy by chinese companies, has been in production since the mid 80's, you were not even born then. Don't talk about relatively new, like you are an experience diver, when in fact you are a relatively new diver.

Everyone is the Austin dive community knows who you are, since you have made a name for yourself.

 

[Lake Travis Scuba]

Everyone in the Austin dive community knows who you are, since you have made a name for yourself.

:geek::laughing:

 

[fire_diver]

It is ultimately up to the individual diver to inspect thier gear prior, and to call the dive if problems arise. Rental gear can be crap depending on the shop, but it is usually perfectly safe. If the OP saw the original reg had problems and dove anyway, shame on him. If the OP felt the reg had breathing issues and continued the dive, shame on him. WHEN THE OP SAW AN EQUIPMENT FAILURE yet continued to dive, SHAME ON HIM. If you are having such an over-heating problem that you are vomiting, END THE F@#$%ING DIVE!!

If you are given crappy gear, give it back. Be a mature enough diver to know when to call a dive, even if you havent gotten wet.

 

[chrispete]

in which case, it is the diver (or his mindset) that is the safety risk.

Um, wow. I would say that the shop's inability to maintain their rental equipment would be the main safety risk here, but that's just me and my starry eyed view of the world. In this particular case the OP tried THREE TIMES before he got working equipment out of the shop, I think that proves that he didn't exactly have a "suicide by SCUBA" mindset or anything.

 

[James R]

I would also add Tom's to that list.

He probably would have as well, if he were welcome there as a customer.

Everyone is the Austin dive community knows who you are, since you have made a name for yourself.

This is for sure.

Evan, the dive community is pretty small. Every time you run your mouth (eg slamming a business), people notice and remember. There's a reason people don't want to be around you or dive with you. Think about that and stop running your mouth (or fingers posting online) so much. If you start using your ears more than your mouth, people might give you another chance and not think you're such a buffoon.

 

[MikeSK]

Would you buy a car that you knew had no brakes? Same basic principle. Its defective.

Even with a down economy, people are still taking trips, and in the case of the OP and friends, renting gear. Mouthpieces and O-rings dont cost that much. Even if you get them in bulk.

I mean...if its to much money/work/stress for the LDS to fix an o-ring..how are they gonna handle getting their arses sued for faulty equipment.

the onus is on the LDS..not the renter. Yes, renter needs to inspect the gear, but there's an inherent trust that the LDS is providing quality gear.

To the OP..if your a semi-serious diver (IE more than a couple times a year) please look in to buying your own gear. At a minimum you want your own Reg/computer or gauges/Octo. And of course the standing mask/fins etc. And a proper fitting wetsuit. Get a farmer john/jacket setup for different water temps

 

[scubashawn123]

Oh and here is a stupid question, what is LDS? !

LOCAL DIVE SHOP (LDS)