Yes everytime, nothing wastes more time on a dive than having to help your buddy reposition their tank because they forgot to wet their bands first.
Do you "wet" your tank band?
- Thread starter mars2u
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Charlie99
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Not to mention the weird looks you get as you reposition the tank by coming up behind your buddy, gripping the tank between your knees, then grabbing your buddy and his BCD and moving him around to reinsert the tank into the camband.ColdH20diving:
Or there's the other method where he lays flat on the bottom and you kneel on him.
Great photo ops! :banana:
Curly
Contributor
I don't think I've done it since taking basic OW, although on second and third dives, it's always wet anyway, so I suppose I do it about half the time. The cam locks on my tank straps are really good -- never had a problem.
chuckrt
Contributor
always use scubapro bands and you do not have to wet them and they don't slip. (unless you change the size of the tank)mars2u:
chuckrt
SA-Diver
Contributor
Mine seems to get wet on every dive.
scuba-sass
Wreckmaniac Extrordinaire
I do wet mine. And for those of you who have noted that "it's just not convenient", what are you doing about your own hydration? When ever I dive, a big water bottle goes with me. A few squirts from this is all it takes for a little "tank slippage insurance".
Happy Diving,
Scuba-sass
Happy Diving,
Scuba-sass
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It really depends on the rig. Different manufacturers use different grades of webbing on their tank straps. There are also a variety of cam buckles out there that are better or worse for tightening down your tank bands effectively.
Dual straps help, but they're not a universal solution ... BCDs with stiff webbing and plastic buckles can still have a problem (was working with someone just last night who's had this problem recently on a very expensive, dual strap BCD).
For those who say it's impractical to pre-wet your straps, there's an easy solution. Pack a small bottle of water for this purpose ... you don't need to "dip" your BCD, just wet the tank strap.
That said ... most of the time I find people who have this problem really just haven't been shown how to properly mount their cylinder and don't tighten the straps properly. Once we've gone through the procedure and they've practiced a couple of times, it ceases to be a problem.
... Bob (Grateful Diver)
Dual straps help, but they're not a universal solution ... BCDs with stiff webbing and plastic buckles can still have a problem (was working with someone just last night who's had this problem recently on a very expensive, dual strap BCD).
For those who say it's impractical to pre-wet your straps, there's an easy solution. Pack a small bottle of water for this purpose ... you don't need to "dip" your BCD, just wet the tank strap.
That said ... most of the time I find people who have this problem really just haven't been shown how to properly mount their cylinder and don't tighten the straps properly. Once we've gone through the procedure and they've practiced a couple of times, it ceases to be a problem.
... Bob (Grateful Diver)
My tanks have dual stainless steel bands and I've never had a problem with them slipping. :54:
I've never had an issue with the nylon bands either, but I think a lot of that comes down to ensuring that they are good and tight to begin with.
I've seen many new divers say their bands were tight and I come behind them and pull an extra 1/2 inc of webbing up because they didnt have it square to the tank or something.
I've never had an issue with the nylon bands either, but I think a lot of that comes down to ensuring that they are good and tight to begin with.
I've seen many new divers say their bands were tight and I come behind them and pull an extra 1/2 inc of webbing up because they didnt have it square to the tank or something.
scubaguy90250
Guest
I dont wet my tank bands, but , then again I use "scubapro" quick release buckles. They have steel buckles. I use them on a HP steel 120, which is quite heavy, for almost 4 years now, and have NEVER had a slippage yet.
:sappy:
:sappy:
peterjmaerz
Guest
My old Seaquest Quickdraw's single band slips relentlessly, even when yanked as tight as I possibly can, and this after 200 dives. Slipped out altogether a few weeks ago. Wetting beforehand definitely seems to help the problem. We'll see how I do with the dual bands on my new Transpac II.
Best,
Best,
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