Regulator Set Up question

[Burnster]

Hi Frank-you are a long way from home !!
I didnt do any of the dives in UK havent donned a dry suit yet-working up to that.I am afraid I am a warm water diver only at the moment-tried Loch Fyne once in a 7mm semi dry in November.......... but it didnt agree with me ;-)
All my dives have been in the Maldives thus far-but heading of to Grand Cayman in March 07 for a fortnight-really looking forward to it

Have a great time in the Keys !!

 

[mirrocraft]

its not had to se your regs. up. i can under stand the worry about it. and wanting help because its so expencive i would have the dive shop show you how and then youll look at your seld and say wow thats easy but you live you learn

 

[agilis]

Hello Burnster

I do not mean this as any kind of criticism. In fact, I think it was commendable that you ask for assistance. I find one element in your post totally shocking, though.

How is it possible to be certified on any level, even the most basic, without thorough instruction in very elementary things like setting up the standard elements in a scuba system, including first and second stage function, fittings, valves, bc connections, hp hoses, lp hoses, attachment methods, relevant saftey issues, how these things operate, etc. I'm not talking about technical stuff here. I am amazed and even frightened that it is possible to be given an AOW certification without demonstrating these fundamental abilities. These are not skills, really, just basic but essential information. It's not your fault. I do, however, think that anyone who certifies a diver as AOW without ensuring a solid foundation in these vital areas is a criminal moron.

 

[Burnster]

Hello Burnster

I do not mean this as any kind of criticism. In fact, I think it was commendable that you ask for assistance. I find one element in your post totally shocking, though.

How is it possible to be certified on any level, even the most basic, without thorough instruction in very elementary things like setting up the standard elements in a scuba system, including first and second stage function, fittings, valves, bc connections, hp hoses, lp hoses, attachment methods, relevant saftey issues, how these things operate, etc. I'm not talking about technical stuff here. I am amazed and even frightened that it is possible to be given an AOW certification without demonstrating these fundamental abilities. These are not skills, really, just basic but essential information. It's not your fault. I do, however, think that anyone who certifies a diver as AOW without ensuring a solid foundation in these vital areas is a criminal moron.

Hi,
Thanks for your message-you raise what are valid points-I also may not have been very clear in my post.I am fully aware of how to connect regs to Tank, BC etc how to do checks to make sure equipment is functioning.
What I have not been shown is how to take a newly purchased reg , first stage,pressure gauge etc and fit them together ensuring that they are in the right configuration and also not stripping threads etc as has been pointed out in previous replies.

I guess my view on this is it is akin to passing your driving test but not necessarily being a mechanic.

To my knowledge (PADI) none of the requirements of any of the courses I have done OW/AOW demand or require any technical or servicing abilities for equipment-maybe they should but they seemed only to need you to understand how to put already assembled individual pieces of equipment together not know how to fill a tank,assemble a reg from its compnent parts and carry out servicing etc.

As I say , maybe it is a good idea, not sure but would be interested if any others have views as to whether this should become part of the most basic diving courses either on a voluntary or involuntay basis.

Best Wishes


Alan

 

[agilis]

I see your point, Alan, about driving a car but not being a mechanic. My reaction was based on my training, long ago, for basic scuba. We were required to set up evrerything from scratch, and issues of cleanliness, dangers of petroleum based products, the need for things to be free from moisture and contaminants, proper tightening protocols, o ring functions, common errors, the need for extreme care, and so on were stressed before we were allowed to enter the water. An instructor watched as you put your gear together, something we had read about and watched being done repeatedly. The idea was not unlike packing your own chute in jump school, or learning your weapon's every part and function before firing it. I realize, though, that there was a heck of a lot less gear involved 30 years ago.

That military model is, I suppose, completely out of step with present attitudes and methods. Still, I can't help wondering about some of these issues when I read, on this board and elsewhere, about occasionally fatal or near fatal incidents that sound to me like they may have developed because of a lack of understanding and familiarity with equipment, leading to fundamental errors, panic, etc. I've also talked to divers who possess various plastic cards and countersigned log records, but who have, in my opinion, the skills of someone with the equivalent of what we used to call "resort certification".

 

[Burnster]

I see your point, Alan, about driving a car but not being a mechanic. My reaction was based on my training, long ago, for basic scuba. We were required to set up everything from scratch, and issues of cleanliness, dangers of petroleum based products, the need for things to be free from moisture and contaminants, proper tightening protocols, o ring functions, common errors, the need for extreme care, and so on were stressed before we were allowed to enter the water. An instructor watched as you put your gear together, something we had read about and watched being done repeatedly. The idea was not unlike packing your own chute in jump school, or learning your weapon's every part and function before firing it. I realize, though, that there was a heck of a lot less gear involved 30 years ago.

That military model is, I suppose, completely out of step with present attitudes and methods. Still, I can't help wondering about some of these issues when I read, on this board and elsewhere, about occasionally fatal or near fatal incidents that sound to me like they may have developed because of a lack of understanding and familiarity with equipment, leading to fundamental errors, panic, etc. I've also talked to divers who possess various plastic cards and countersigned log records, but who have, in my opinion, the skills of someone with the equivalent of what we used to call "resort certification".

I think you are absolutely right, I do feel concerend that I have no idea about the things you mention and if there was a minor repair needed on any of my equipment on a boat or at a dive site, I would have no idea where to start . I would certainly sign up for a course that would give me the sort of insights you are talking about ,regarding what is in essence life saving/taking equipment depending on its proper functioning.There does not seem to be(to my knowledge here in the UK) well advertised or promoted courses or facilities where a non professional diver can get even some basic understanding of the kit he is diving with.I searched high and low on Amazon etc for any books-but found nothing and the guidance that came with the equipment from the manufacturer was it should only be looked at by a trained professional-there was not even any basic assembly instructions.

Whether or not making this type of knowledge mandatory for certification would reduce numbers looking to qualify for the various agencies I do not know, but maybe it should be offered as a specialist option alngside the other various ones like UW photography, Nitrox, Wreck diving etc.

If anyone has any info on courses or good books/manual on the basics I would love to be pointed in the direction(I am in Scotland in the UK )

Thanks

Alan

 

[agilis]

I don't know how things work in Scotland/UK, but I'd be surprised if the major accreditation organizations didn't offer ($) specialty courses that address your interests and concerns. There are probably a number of good instructional books that cover some of this, and a literature search should produce some up to date material. I personally can't suggest anything recent, but I'm sure there are useful publications out there. A dive club with experienced divers is probably a good place to go for information and help of all sorts.

Off the topic completely, I notice that your location and board name are connected with one of my favorite poets, Robert Burns. He may no longer be as well regarded as he once was, but I still read his stuff from time to time, a glossary at my side. I'm always amazed by the number of words in West Indian patois that have their origin in Scotland. I wonder how many drinkers of the stuff know that Cutty Sark means a short shirt.

 

[Burnster]

I don't know how things work in Scotland/UK, but I'd be surprised if the major accreditation organizations didn't offer ($) specialty courses that address your interests and concerns. There are probably a number of good instructional books that cover some of this, and a literature search should produce some up to date material. I personally can't suggest anything recent, but I'm sure there are useful publications out there. A dive club with experienced divers is probably a good place to go for information and help of all sorts.

Off the topic completely, I notice that your location and board name are connected with one of my favorite poets, Robert Burns. He may no longer be as well regarded as he once was, but I still read his stuff from time to time, a glossary at my side. I'm always amazed by the number of words in West Indian patois that have their origin in Scotland. I wonder how many drinkers of the stuff know that Cutty Sark means a short shirt.

Hi thanks for the comments, I am joining a dive club locally so hopefuly as you suggest some of the members there can help out.

You are absolutely right Robert Burns was born a few miles away from where I live, near Ayr in the West Of Scotland, in fact my girlfriends parents live even nearer his birthplace.

His birthday(25th January) is still a well celebrated ocassion here in Scotland.I had no idea about the influence on West Indian Language....amazing what you learn in this sport thank you

 

[SparticleBrane]

whoops--opened my big mouth before reading everything--disregard my previous comment if you read it

 

[Burnster]

No worries, I should have made myself clearer in my post