report a NAUI dive center?

[lobbolt]

I recently bought a new AL tank at a shop and got it filled at another dive center that conducted NAUI courses. I'm not sure they're a NAUI center because they do not have the PADI thing with 5 stars etc. When I was about to dive I noticed that there was a weird smell to the air, and pressed the purge for a while to see if I could get rid of the smell. When the smell didn't go away I took off my regulator which had less than 20 dives on it. The sintered filter is noticeably now a dark shade of grey. The oriface around the valve on the tank also acquired a black oil slick, which I had wiped away. If this center is indeed a NAUI center, should I report them to NAUI? Not only am I pissed off by them, now I figure I need to get my regulator and tank cleaned and inspected, when they're still quite new. It kind of worries me what their students are breathing when taking their classes...

 

[ZoCrowes255]

Could be a bad filter in the compressor or their was some sort of exhaust near the intake. Take it back to the shop and see if they make everything right (reg repairs, refund etc.) if they don't then you have the right to get angry.

 

[Web Monkey]

It's not a question of "reporting" the shop, since if their air is actually contaminated, they could fill hundreds of tanks before anybody looked into it.

You should tell the shop about the problem, so they can check their compressor, since they probably don't want to kill any of their customers.

Then you should take your tank somewhere else and have it checked, disassembled and cleaned.

It's possible there's nothing wrong with the air in your tank, and there was some contamination around the valve and/or your regulator. Or maybe it really is bad air.

As far as PADI/NAUI goes, the absence of a PADI sticker does not mean they're NAUI. They could belong to any of dozens of agencies, or none at all.

Terry

I recently bought a new AL tank at a shop and got it filled at another dive center that conducted NAUI courses. I'm not sure they're a NAUI center because they do not have the PADI thing with 5 stars etc. When I was about to dive I noticed that there was a weird smell to the air, and pressed the purge for a while to see if I could get rid of the smell. When the smell didn't go away I took off my regulator which had less than 20 dives on it. The sintered filter is noticeably now a dark shade of grey. The oriface around the valve on the tank also acquired a black oil slick, which I had wiped away. If this center is indeed a NAUI center, should I report them to NAUI? Not only am I pissed off by them, now I figure I need to get my regulator and tank cleaned and inspected, when they're still quite new. It kind of worries me what their students are breathing when taking their classes...

 

[skeet]

Check the NAUI website or send them an e-mail. If its NAUI it will most likely not have the PADI emblem with the stars on it.

 

[FIXXERVI6]

I saw some fills at a shop where the guy was doing a lot of tanks and his filter blew out, some of the charcol got into a lot of the tanks before he caught it, he was cool about it free clean ups with free rentals for the dirty tanks and all, but maybe something similar at that shop?

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

I recently bought a new AL tank at a shop and got it filled at another dive center that conducted NAUI courses. I'm not sure they're a NAUI center because they do not have the PADI thing with 5 stars etc. When I was about to dive I noticed that there was a weird smell to the air, and pressed the purge for a while to see if I could get rid of the smell. When the smell didn't go away I took off my regulator which had less than 20 dives on it. The sintered filter is noticeably now a dark shade of grey. The oriface around the valve on the tank also acquired a black oil slick, which I had wiped away. If this center is indeed a NAUI center, should I report them to NAUI? Not only am I pissed off by them, now I figure I need to get my regulator and tank cleaned and inspected, when they're still quite new. It kind of worries me what their students are breathing when taking their classes...

First off, this has nothing to do with the certification agency affiliated with the shop ... if the problem is with bad air in the fill, then it's a compressor problem.

What you should do is contact the shop ... immediately ... and report your concerns. Any reputable shop will treat their customers right, which in this case means cleaning any cylinders/regulators that were contaminated by bad air (if indeed that is the problem). The sooner they know there is a problem the better ... because in the meantime they will continue filling other people's cylinders which only makes it worse. Call them ASAP and describe the problem.

Someone suggested taking your cylinder to another shop ... that may be wise. On the other hand, without knowing the reputation of either the shop where you got the air or that of the shop you would take it to, you may just be complicating things by getting involved in the competitive games that shops often play with each other. If the air smells, I would recommend taking it back to the shop where you got it filled first. If they don't smell it, THEN get a second opinion (ASAP) before taking further steps.

I would always recommend giving a shop the opportunity to address the problem first ... and if they don't do so to your satisfaction, THEN take the problem to a different shop. If they do not address the problem completely, THEN contact the agency that certified them to report the problem.

By following that sequence, you assure your best chance of getting the problem resolved promptly and properly.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[MikeFerrara]

As others have pointed out it has nothing to do with the agency. Well unless the agency provides compressor repair as one of their services to members. I wonder why the diving public refuses to understand that diveshop members of agency retail associations are customers of the agency and do not work for or report to the agency. This isn't a McDonalds frachise.

Back to the air...

Most shops have their air tested periodically. Many have it tested quarterly though I have heard of shops doing it less frequently. Air testing is all well and good but first of all there are contaminants that the air tests won't catch. They only test for certain things. This has recently happened and been verified by other labs. I don't remember the name of the contaminant but I can point you to more info if you're interested.

Second...and this is the big one...a compressor can fail at any time. ie I test my air today...all is well...and tomarrow something breaks and I fill your tank with oil...or its a very hot day, the oil overheats, breaks down and you're in trouble (something that happens in warm climates like florida where compressors are often outside even).

Good compressor maintainance and an alert/knowledgeable (hard to find in a minimum wage employee but what will you pay for a fill?) oporator can help to prevent or spot problems but there aren't any garantees.

When buying gas...

Feel free to ask about the oporators analysis program and even ask to see certificates if they don't have them posted.

Ask to see the compressor. You can't see everything by looking at it but if it looks a wreck it might be. If you don't see filter stacks...ask. I have heard of shops running without filters or with inadequate filters.

Smell the air and ispect the valve before you leave the shop. There are lots of nasty things you can't smell or see but it doesn't hurt to check.

Always be alert to how you feel during a dive. Filling tanks without complete testing of the gas in each fill (not possible really) and taking it underwater has it's risks, get used to it.

 

[Tom Smedley]

Agencies are only concerned with standards violations. However, most facilities agree to have their air tested as a stipulation of being a "training facility" bearing the name of the agency. Getting bad air is primarily between the customer and the manager of the shop. Take the contaminated tank in to them and they should appreciate the heads up and make it good. If they don't - find a new shop.