broncobowsher
Contributor
Does this shop also have a rule they won't fill any tank more than 20 years old?
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Must have snorkels?Does this shop also have a rule they won't fill any tank more than 20 years old?
One more:Sounds like the shop has made a gross assumption on a topic that they know nothing about. There are certainly drawbacks to a FFM, but most can be overcome with training.
The few risks I have identified: (I have the card and have had the FFM down to 135ft)
1. free flowing if you orient your head/exhaust valve upward.
2. loss of breathing gas if the seal isnt good around your face.
3. SMB deployment from depth can be tricky of you are used to orally inflating.
Depending on the FFM and how you train, even this isn't required. At least with the OTS Guardian, you can pull it up to allow the reg to be in your mouth while still maintaining the seal for the rest of your face on the FFM, allowing you to still see and use it as a functioning mask. It feels a little weird, and looks a lot weird, but it is easy to do after practicing a couple times and works well for OOA situations if you don't have a backup mask for whatever reason.One more:
Breathing from a donated reg will require you to doff the FFM, which will add stress to an OOA situation. You should practice this frequently with a buddy.
NoAre FFM a good way to start nervous children/youths in scuba?
I wouldn't think so, I'm no psychologist, but i would think you'd want to solve the issues at hand directly. I think snorkeling is a good way to start to introduce towards scuba, and then a discover scuba courseAre FFM a good way to start nervous children/youths in scuba?