Diving Budy a Rule or Law

[Scubapest]

I am planning a few trips to the north and need to know if Canada requires a budy for diving and if there are any other special regulations that I should be aware of? I live just over the border in Central NY. I'd like to try the Conestoga to start. Thanks!!

 

[Butch103]

Just a dam fine idea...especially if you are new to the area.....

Besides lots of buddies up here to dive with...show the "lowlights:...

 

[cobaltbabe]

Always good to dive with a partner. Never know when you will get hung up on something. Dive safe!!!!

 

[Walter]

Actually, it is a law in some areas. Most places, it is not, but there are exceptions.

 

[Bubble Boy]

Scubapest once bubbled...
I am planning a few trips to the north and need to know if Canada requires a budy for diving and if there are any other special regulations that I should be aware of? I live just over the border in Central NY. I'd like to try the Conestoga to start. Thanks!!

Check your cylinders before bringing them with you. If they were manufactured after Jan 1st 1993 they must be stamped with a "TC" and also have stamped the service pressure in bar.

I won't touch the subject of solo-diving but I would like to suggest that if you know when you are coming you post it and I am sure someone on the board would more than likely meet up with you to show you the wrecks. Sometimes there are goodies to see that the locals should show you otherwise you might miss them.

 

[Doppler]

Bubble Boy once bubbled...

Check your cylinders before bringing them with you. If they were manufactured after Jan 1st 1993 they must be stamped with a "TC" and also have stamped the service pressure in bar.

The regulations concerning the stamping of tanks for use in Canada are not applied to USA citizens diving in the "vacation" belt. Don't worry about it. I reguarly dive both sides of the boarder with US and Canadian divers and this has never been an issue... now a Canadian with US tanks trying to get a fill or a hydro is an issue... but that's another story.

Diving with a buddy... I think most charter operators will expect you to dive with at least one!

There's no law in Ontario on the subject.

 

[DivingGal]

As Doppler says, there is no law here about diving with a buddy. But it's always a good idea -- particularly if you don't know the site.

As for the Connie (as she's affectionaly known) -- give a shout here when you plan to go, and I'm sure some of the gang up this way will meet you for the dive.

You can always do a "two wreck" day -- and dive the Connie and the Rothesay. They're both shore dives, around a 20 minute drive apart.

 

[Scubapest]

Hands down to my friends in Canada! Your replies and information is greatly appreciated - but your warm welcome to team up with a Canadian buddy goes way beyond what was expected!! You're the best!

 

[Bubble Boy]

Doppler once bubbled...


The regulations concerning the stamping of tanks for use in Canada are not applied to USA citizens diving in the "vacation" belt. Don't worry about it.

The fact that many dive shop operators in the "vacation belt" might not follow the regulations does not make it right. The exemption for cylinders "leaving the country" was intended for vessels that had medical cylinders on board that may require recharging.

Play it safe and check the markings before travelling--just in case you get someone who does not want to take a chance and breaking the law. Some people still sell these cylinders in Canada....its amazing.

 

[seahunter]

Jeez bubble! Give the guy a break!

He won't even be able to find the pressure in bars on his tank.
At one time BAR appeared but now just the number (207, 184, etc) is stamped with no indication that it's the pressure rating.

You can be technically correct but practically a "pain in the ass".

No diver or retailer in the scuba business in North America has any influence over the manufacture or the stamping of scuba cylinders. You are right that tanks made since 1993 have TC and the pressure in BAR but that's not the divers choice. He probably has no idea what that's all about. Most store owners don't either. They just buy the tanks and then sell them to the divers. Whatever is current that year is what goes around the system.

Tanks that are older than 1993 are still perfectly fine to use (assuming of course they're in test).
So what was the point of adding one more unnecessary anxiety item to scubapest's list?