How common are DIN valves and steel tanks at vacation dive outfits?

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GaryBDavis

Contributor
Messages
174
Reaction score
21
Location
Andice, Texas
# of dives
50 - 99
I just switched to DIN regs and valves. I have the yoke adapter for my reg but prefer DIN. Same for the steel tank as I prefer the negative buoyancy. Is it worth calling ahead to try and at least get a steel tank or is it wishfull thinking?
 
Really depends on where you are diving. In the Caribbean, I have rarely seen a steel cylinder let alone a DIN valve. When I lived in France, our club cylinders had Pro-valves. In the South Pacific there were both. These days I always ask ... do the same but no mater what plan to take your adaptor.
 
In the Western Hemisphere (Carribbean), steel tanks are pretty uncommon, but are available at select dive ops/liveaboards....steel tanks WITH DIN VALVES are even more rare though, unless you hook up with a tech oriented outfit. On almost all my dive trips where I obtained/reserved-in-advance steel tanks, they were YOKE valved steel tanks.
 
My last trip to Curacao they had DIN valve and aluminum tanks. I did ask before showing up to see what they had.

If you do not like using your adapter, you should be able to buy a kit to turn you regs back into the yoke configuration. It is very easy to switch back and forth. I had my shop tech show me how the first time just to be sure what I was doing.

So if the spot does not have DIN I just switch over to yoke before I leave and I don't have to worry about an adapter.
 
I have not had issues with DIN valves, but then I have not dived anywhere in US. Most dive destinations uses ALI cylinders with yoke insert on a DIN pilar valve. I do own a DIN/yoke convertor if I ever need one.

DIN is the way to go IMO. The slightest bump on a yoke stage could cause it to move, this is why DIN is a must for cave/wreck.
 
The slightest bump on a yoke stage could cause it to move, this is why DIN is a must for cave/wreck.

I think it would take more than the slightest bump with 200bar behind it. Has anyone tested this?

Either way, Yoke still has an unnecessary protrusion for impact and entanglement.
 
I think it would take more than the slightest bump with 200bar behind it. Has anyone tested this?

Either way, Yoke still has an unnecessary protrusion for impact and entanglement.

I'd agree with you, with the reg pressurized, it will take a lot more than a slight bump to rupture the seal between the reg 1st-stage and the tank YOKE valve...YOKE is plenty secure for the typical recreational type dive (not for cave or wreck penetration diving though).
 
Have seen it happen. If the pressure will keep it in place, why is it not suitable for wreck/cave?!?
 
Have seen it happen. If the pressure will keep it in place, why is it not suitable for wreck/cave?!?

Can you tell me more about what sort of pressure it took? I guess it is on the face.

I would think that the yoke's additional 2" of vertical clearance and the entanglement potential would be enough to require DIN for serious diving.
 
https://www.shearwater.com/products/swift/

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