Pre-dive routine?

[Dive-aholic]

Sorry for the highjack, but I was about to ask this also. What do you do if you see a leaky pressure gauge or 1st stage? Do you get out of the water and take off all your gear and change the o-ring or do you just note it as a thing to fix after the dive? Do you do these checks on a dive boat? ...

I get out of the water and change the o-ring. I've seen a small leak in a 1st stage completely blow out. I'd rather that happen on the surface than in the water. Better safe than sorry. I will listen for leaks before getting in the water, but you can't always hear them, that's why the bubble check in the water.

Apart from the normal BWRAF, I always pre-breathe my reg and watch the needle, then two quick bursts on the power inflator...just in case I didn't inflate... as I'm about ready to jump in...

One long burst is better than 2 quick bursts. I know a diver who did the quick burst thing and threw his bc into the water (plan was to don in the water) and it sunk to the bottom (fortunately only 40' in clear water). I also know of another diver who did the quick burst thing and died in 12' of water. He jumped in, turtled and couldn't reach his valves or flip over. Buddy was in the parking lot talking to someone else. I do one long burst on the way to the water every dive.

 

[limeyx]

As far as the bubble check goes, if you find bubbles (that you don't expect like Matthew does) you have to decide how much bubbling is going on and how it compares with the dive you have planned.

Sasquatch, I had the same experience you did . . . Trying to do what I was originally taught in OW irritated everybody I dove with. Now I have an excuse -- DIR people are EXPECTED to be a PITA

you can also reseat a bubbling 1st stage reg (done it more than once)
you might get water in it, which isn't best though.

 

[mdb]

Turn on air... Check gauge....And cuz its happened a time or two and is annoying coming back to boat... make sure AF is working...Back roll....
K.I.S.S....

Mike: The KISS element is most important.

 

[TSandM]

As I think back on how I've performed predive checks and briefings over the last few years, it amused me to realize that the next to shortest brief and predive check with instabuddies was with Lynne and Peter doing a night shore dive at Ulua about 4 months ago.

Charlie -- it was two to one, and I hadn't made the conscious decision just to go ahead and be annoying yet

 

[Diver Dennis]

Mike: The KISS element is most important.

Agreed.

 

[alo100]

BWRAF and some v. good advice I picked up here, from magazine too.

I'm so glad when I see the topic is brought up here.

 

[waynne fowler]

On land:
Pre dive SADDDD brief (Using the checklist in the wetnotes)
Mod S and Mod V
And last a head to toe inspection of each others gear

In the water:
Bubble check
Full S drill

After the dive:
Dive team debrief... maybe even a beverage if we arne't driving

Too much?

Ben forgive me for being a bonehead... er.. whats a "Mod V" drill.

BTW.. your scooter fund seems to have stayed at that $2000 mark for a while if I'm not mistaken

Edit... see how much of a bonehead... duh! "V" = valve. I've never claimed to be bright... good thing huh?

 

[Halthron]

Yeah, V for valve . A modified valve drill is simply reaching back to ensure you can reach your valve if you need to. There won't be a DIR diver drowning because the valve is off, they should all be able to reach and open the valve if necessary (never mind the above water pressure check).

 

[Ben_ca]

Ben forgive me for being a bonehead... er.. whats a "Mod V" drill.

BTW.. your scooter fund seems to have stayed at that $2000 mark for a while if I'm not mistaken

Edit... see how much of a bonehead... duh! "V" = valve. I've never claimed to be bright... good thing huh?

Yuppers Valve.... Scooter fund is on hold for a little bit... going warm water diving with the PPD (Phil Paradise Divers ;0) )

 

[Diver1313]

i was always taught the Lovely Burger With Relish And Fries...Look over equipment Buoyancy, Weights, Releases, Air adn Final Ok which includes hand signals a dive briefing and i have always done this and always will...it is better to have a thorough check even if your buddies are getting impatient or annoyed...lives can be at risk if people arn't careful and i am not willing to risk mine ro anyone else's lives i am diving with because i havnt checked.