inspect your own tanks

[Crush]

Dear all,

If I wanted to be trained to inspect my own tanks (i.e., annual visual inspection of interior); how long is the training, what does it typically cost, are there different recommended training agencies, and what other considerations are there that I have not thought of? I have access to an endoscope-like inspection device at work.

 

[=C=]

How to Become a Certified SCUBA Cylinder Inspector | eHow.com

 

[H2O 70]

SDI offers a VIP course.

International Training :: Get Certified :: Visual Inspection Procedures :: English

Once you complete the course, you should be able to order the SDI/TDI inspection stickers.

My buddy and I were talking about this yesterday. The shop that we used to be affiliated with was a PADI/SDI/PSAI shop. Not a single person there, to our knowledge, was certified to VIP tanks by any agency. They simply dropped $500 and ordered a bunch of waterproof shop stickers. Now I have SDI/TDI VIP stickers on my tanks and I've had shops frown at them because they 'don't come from a dive shop'. To get the Agency stickers, you need to take the course. To get shop stickers you just have to have money and order them. Food for thought.

As the for the gear, you can go to Home Depot and get yourself an LED 24" rope light. You'll need to get a mirror small enough to fit in the tank neck to really look at and inspect the threads. I haven't found one locally and had to order it online.

One thing to consider is so once you take the class and you know what to look for, what are you going to do if you find rust and stuff?

I suggest getting VH Oxyhacker.

Vance Harlow's OXYGEN HACKER'S COMPANION From AIrspeed Press

It covers O₂ cleaning of tanks and other cleaning things.

 

[redacted]

One catch: Make sure the shop(s) you use for fills will honor your inspections.

 

[Slamfire]

How much would the eddy current testing equipment cost? I've had tanks pass the hydro, the vis and then fail the eddy.

 

[Hawkwood]

The PSI Tank Inspection/Refresher Course held during Divescapes in Calgary last October was $225.

For me, that's the cost of 15 inspections, that include air.

 

[Crush]

Thanks, all,

I have found a local place (safety supply shop that fills air for the fire department) that will throw in a free vis each year if I come to them for fills.

Done deal.

 

[Crush]

The PSI Tank Inspection/Refresher Course held during Divescapes in Calgary last October was $225.

For me, that's the cost of 15 inspections, that include air.

Sounds good. Calgary is a three-hour drive for me (one way) and I am only looking at the cost of ownership of one pony, not a set of tanks. I think that I'll pay for the vis getting done locally.

Thanks, though!

 

[Scared Silly]

Eddy current equipment is thousands of $$. You would be better off just buying all new cylinders. Also at least in the states now the eddy current test is only required at the time of hydro for 6351 cylinders and the hydro shop must do test the and mark the cylinder accordingly. Of course what "rules" a dive shop makes up is an other matter.

I have been doing my own inspections for 6 years now. I did the course through PSI / PCI there are other options. Also if you really want to learn the in and outs Certified Training Company - Hazmat Training Seminars offers a seminar as well but it is more for those doing the requal testing.

 

[H2O 70]

And isn't Eddy Current only for AL tanks?

Stay with Steel and never have to worry about Eddy Current.