missed a dive. buddy-check problem?

[utnapistim]

hi,

We went for two boat dives yesterday and i missed the second one.

I was the last to go in and while the guys were waiting in the water i tried to inflate my BC before the giant stride. I kept the button pushed for about three seconds, then put the hand to my back to check the BC was inflated enough.

It wasn't; I pushed the button again - same result.

Then, I tried to inflate the BC orally, and asked for someone on the boat to check if it was inflating.

Then I told the guys in the water to go without me and took my gear down. As I tilted it to the side I noticed water coming out of one of the overpressure valves; It turns out the valve was unscrued; I screwed it back and it worked just fine.


In my opinion, this should have appeared during the buddy-check, but what we usually do is check the inflate/deflate buttons (for a second or so) and then the BCD is 'ok'; we don't actually check it's inflated; Also some guys on the boat skipped the check completely.

What other things can you miss during a buddy-check? How do you normally do it?

waiting for replies ...

 

[kent_1848]

I usually inflate my BC enough that it is noticable. Then again, I usually put it on in the water, so I want it to float (it is integrated). I know this isn't always going to be possible, but everywhere I have dove so far it has been.

 

[Tigern]

I dove with a girl I work with about a week ago and missed the fact that she hadn't attached her LP hose to her PI. I saw her put weight on, I saw her turn the air on and check her regs. I watcher her oral inflate her BC and watched blow up. But I did it while I was standing about 4 feet away so wasn't paying close enough attention to the matter. We giant strided in to a shallow area (under 12 feet) and she went to inflate a little more and oops..no air. Thankfully nothing bad happened. Gave me a wakeup call though that I should pay more attention

 

[Diver0001]

What other things can you miss during a buddy-check? How do you normally do it?

That's an easy one to miss.

The human factor is the weak link in diving -- even (especially) during the buddy check.

R..

 

[moneysavr]

hi,

; It turns out the valve was unscrued; I screwed it back and it worked just fine.


for replies ...

Hi New diver you learned something today, Trust yourself and not some guy that is just thinking about his dive, You should Always set your rig up,even if they have a DM to do this on a boat dive, re do it or go over it the whole rig!
Trust no one! Start from your tank,air valve,tank strap,hoses,reg, Octo,air,BCD add air too it to test and look and listen for any leaks.
Dive safe!
Brad

 

[CameronMartz]

What other things can you miss during a buddy-check? How do you normally do it?

waiting for replies ...

In order to truly test all of the failure points of a BC, I initially orally inflate the BC (wing in my case), then jam the inflator until the overpressure valve pops. This lets me know that the OPV is functioning, the LP hose is functioning, the inflator is functioning, and the BC has no punctures.

If you do not inflate the BC all the way, you will miss leaks from the bladder or the fittings that you can easily catch before hitting the water.

Cameron

 

[utnapistim]

Hi New diver you learned something today, Trust yourself and not some guy that is just thinking about his dive, You should Always set your rig up,even if they have a DM to do this on a boat dive, re do it or go over it the whole rig!

i'm allways setting up my own rig, but since it was the second dive of the day i just changed the tanks and slipped the thing under my seat, and didn't bother to check it.

i got careless i guess

In order to truly test all of the failure points of a BC, I initially orally inflate the BC (wing in my case), then jam the inflator until the overpressure valve pops. This lets me know that the OPV is functioning, the LP hose is functioning, the inflator is functioning, and the BC has no punctures.

If you do not inflate the BC all the way, you will miss leaks from the bladder or the fittings that you can easily catch before hitting the water.

i do that but not allways and it's more like a playing with my gear than actually checking; I guess I'll have to start doing it religiously ...

thanks



Other ideas? (not necessarily related to the BCD).

I saw some divers in Malta checking the tank straps (see if the tank is stable on the BC) and now I do that also.

still waiting for comments

 

[Web Monkey]

I always but a bunch of air in my BC before entering the water, while watching my SPG. This proves that the tank valve is fully open (the SPG doesn't drop during inflation), the tank isn't empty(you can see the tank pressure) and the BC will actually hold air (I fill it until I can feel it start to squeeze me).

Although I haven't done any dives where we needed to hit the water negative and descend immediately, I'd probably do it the same way, then vent the air before hitting the water.

Terry

hi,
Then I told the guys in the water to go without me and took my gear down. As I tilted it to the side I noticed water coming out of one of the overpressure valves; It turns out the valve was unscrued; I screwed it back and it worked just fine.

In my opinion, this should have appeared during the buddy-check, but what we usually do is check the inflate/deflate buttons (for a second or so) and then the BCD is 'ok'; we don't actually check it's inflated; Also some guys on the boat skipped the check completely.

What other things can you miss during a buddy-check? How do you normally do it?

waiting for replies ...

 

[Jamdiver]

I do that also Utnapistim.
I check my tank straps religiously before a dive to ensure that they're holding the tank securely and won't slip.
Wetting the tank bands before slipping on the tank does help.

It can't hurt to check and believe me it's quite distressing to feel your tank suddenly slipping on your walk out to a shore dive.
It's even more disconcerting if it happens underwater!:11:

 

[Jamdiver]

Generally for my buddy checks I follow the acronym/mnemonic BAR as it was taught to me.

B = Buoyancy

-Check direct feeds are working for the BC and drysuit if used. (inflate BC via button and orally)
-Check dump valves are working for the BC and drysuit if used. (Test all the dump valves)
-Establish how buoyancy is controlled.

A = Air
-Taste/test air from reg to determine that it's free from odour or taste
-Monitor the contents/(pressure) guage for movement whilst doing this.
-Check octopus function and practice removing octopus from body and also let your buddy do the same to your octopus.

R = Releases
-Check how release work on BC (Cummerbund,waist strap, chest strap etc.)
-Check how weights are relased and their location. (My BC is weight integrated and i'm always sure to point out to my buddy how to release them in case of emergency)
-If being worn check dry suit direct feed release.
Source -BSAC, student workbook. OT5