Suggestion Equipment malfunction forum?

[Scuba]

It would be useful to have an equipment malfunction forum under the Accidents and Incidents heading. We can learn of possible defective gear. Possible gear failure modes. Reasons and conditions under which it failed. The answer may well be improper maintenace or operation, not necessarily defective equipment.

Gear recalls could also be posted.

 

[Skip Parker]

Or perhaps a forum dedicated to scubas related news items, which would, of course, include recalls...

 

[android]

Put it in the Equipment forum and called it "Rusted & Busted"

 

[redacted]

My impression is it would not get used very much unless we started reporting small leaks, freeflows, and busted straps.

 

[Wristshot]

Not so sure about that. My Oceanic computer started acting up in Cozumel in July. Upon my return, when I turned it on it went into an unstoppable alarm mode. I had to figure out how to remove the battery to shut it off. I took it to the LDS where I had bought it, and they sent it back to Oceanic. They told me they had seen the alarm scenario once before. The said that Oceanic would probably just replace the unit. That is what happened, but I have no idea what the "problem" was. If we had a forum for that sort of thing, I would have posted asking if anyone else had seen the problems or if anyone had any info about what the root cause was.

I have considered starting a thread, but I have been too busy and too lazy. If there was a forum. . . who knows. (I would still be busy and lazy but I might have been more motivated)

Remember that a forum doesn't have to get tons of posts to be useful.

Wristshot

 

[Scuba]

Such a forum could be very useful.

It is important for divers to be aware of how gear can fail. How to prevent it. How to overcome a failure. In my OW class I was told that modern regulators are designed to fail open, freeflow. Later I found out that they do not always work as they are designed to, and can fail shut - no air.

Customer feedback. For obvious reasons manufacturers would not be thrilled about such a forum where their defective products are exposed. But it could be useful in providing actual use product feedback. Allowing them to guage extent and promptly fix the fault if necessary. Many people with minor product issues, such as small bc bladder leak, choose to repair the bladder instead of returning it.

Divers can learn of defective and inferior quality products to avoid. A safety issue from the divers perspective.

It can help steer manufacturers towards greater diligence before product release, and quicker response in addressing product issues.

And even the small stuff can be important underwater. Regs shouldn't freeflow. Is it a product defect causing an inordinate number of freeflows in a particular reg, or other? Wings, hoses, connections shouldn't leak at all. Straps shouldn't brake. Connections shouldn't easily disconnect, inadvertently.

 

[MikeFerrara]

Malfunctioning equipment forum?

We already have forums that are malfunctioning. I hope it doesn't happen to the equipment forum too.

 

[Ted S]

Funny stuff Mike! As you can see the moderators are already reviewing this suggestion and we will let you know our thoughts.

 

[Scuba]

That is funny Mike. I won't ask you which one is one of those forums. LOL Heck, maybe its the whole dive industry thats malfunctioning? LOL

Thank you for the update, Tech Admin.