Do you "wet" your tank band?

[Charlie99]

I never wet the bands on my Seaquest Pro QD. The one and only time I had a tank slip was after I hastily repositioned the band just before jumping in with an AL72.

My camband has a permanent kink at the 7.25" point from diving AL80 tanks, and when I repositioned the band on the tank, the buckle probably slid back to the kinked point and didn't hold on the 6.9" AL72. No biggie, though, since it came off just at the end of the dive and the extra strap over the tank valve held everything in place while I climbed back aboard.

For most BCs, wetting is not needed if you adjust the camband properly.

Charlie

 

[fdog]

If I don't, I'll find myself with my BC off underwater re-tightening the tank band. Usually because the tank has exited the band. Very embarassing.

BTW, when dry, the force used to close the cam is impressive; it is adjusted as tight as possible. It will still slip as soon as it gets wet.

If wet, and adjusted to the same closing force, it is very solid.

This is the second tank band I've had on this BC. I'd love to find one that I don't have to do this to!

All the best, James

 

[Seawitch2]

I had "runaway" tanks the times I did not wet the tank bands on my new Diva LX. I was told by instructor that it is highly recommended yuu wet the bands on new BC's, since they tend to stretch when they get wet. So far, this has proven to be true in my case. Once the bands on my BC got "seasoned" they no longer stretch and have not had a problem if I don't wet them ( still do anyway).

My 2psi

 

[mempilot]

All the time, except for when I don't. But then I think I usually do before the second dive if I forgot to before the first dive.

 

[LUBOLD8431]

On newer nylon cambands, I do always. Once they get a little old, its not needed. Yes, I have experienced slippage when not wetted when cambands are newish...

 

[Damselfish]

had a Scubapro BCs years ago that needed a dip but haven't had that problem with others since.

 

[fdog]

Age of the band hasn't seemed to matter for my BC. The band I'm using now is about 6-8 years old with about 150 dives. The other one is newish, about a year old, and maybe 40 dives. Both will still slip if dry.

Guess my BC is just a whiner.

All the best, James

 

[Tommed]

I have a seaquest Pro QD+ BC and I have had a problem with slippage when the camband is dry so now I always wet the band.

 

[Scubaroo]

The only slippages I've experienced have been with new cam straps - I don't bother now and don't have a problem. Mind you I use an STA, and two camstraps are better than one IMO.

 

[Uncle Pug]

Nope... never do (my Halcyon 27# wing has two cam bands with SS cams and octogrip rubber on the bands.)

But then I never undo them unless I am changing out a tank and by then they are already wet.