Spare parts... what do you suggest?

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Diver DennisP

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Location
Chicagoland
In planning our trip, I started to think about what spare parts we need to have "just in case". Do you guys have any suggestions other than the obvious...

extra straps for fins and mask
O-rings for regs
Batteries for whatever needs 'em

Thanks
Dennis
 
Definitely an extra mask.

Two that go with you in your truck:
nitrox o-rings for tanks (if you're diving nitrox)
a tire inflator you can hook to your scuba tank
 
Dennis,

Start with getting a neoprene and Velcro mask strap, you will wear it out before it breaks. Also, get spring straps for your fins, again, they will not break. Alternatively, for boat diving just get a pair of full foot fins.

As for spare parts, here is a great article, it may be a bit overboard, but it is comprehensive:

Taken from here:
Nitrox, Wreck, Trimix, Technical Diver

Spare Parts and Tools
by Joel Silverstein​

Over the past few years I have used every imaginable type of spare parts kit, yet none of them ever really satisfied me. When I was working with my dear friend Capt Billy Deans I noticed that he was wearing this belt pouch, and no matter what needed to be fixed - it was in that pouch.

I was doing an article for Sub Aqua in 1996 and the pouch became the subject of discussion. I had Billy inventory what was in his; I have added some things and subtracted others over time. Take a look at what we carry, and design your own around this system.

The pouch we use is made by L.L. Bean — (click picture to go to LLBean) it is a modular system — a center pouch with an add-on on each side. There are other companies that make these like Eddie Bauer, and some of the camera bag companies. Find what works for you. The nice part is you can wear it while working, or just carry it on your shoulder when transporting it. Plus, it fits most anyplace.

blackbag.jpg


On the Belt
Titanium Buck Knife in its own holster.
Super Leatherman Tool in its own holster.
Cellular phone clipped onto the belt.

Main Pouch
2 - 9-in-1 hex key sets one in metric, the other for standard sizes
4 tappet wrenches 3/8 x7/16, 1/2 x 9/16, 5/8 x 11/16, 3/4 x7/8.
(The open face and thin wall characteristics of the tappet wrenches make them ideal for working in confined areas)

1 metric tappet wrench 13mm x 11mm for Poseidon hoses
1 adjustable 8 inch Stainless Steel wrench
1 5/16 nut driver for hose clamps
1 needle nose Vise Grip
1 7 inch Stainless Steel Vise Grip
12 nylon tie wraps
1 metric allen key to fit the OMS din to yoke and screw adapter.

Secondary Pocket in Main Pouch
1 hemostat
1 stainless steel pick
1 bronze flat bladed O ring extractor
1 stainless steel suture removal scissors
1 Swagelok caliper
1 small tube of Christo-Lube oxygen compatible lubricant
1 small pad of coarse scrubbing material
1 battery removal tool (25 cent coin) from Cochran and battery polisher

Secondary Pouch Right Side First Pocket
Assorted Sharpie indelible pens — regular and fine point
1 white paint stick
1 certification card
1 $20 bill
1 #1 pen with the Little Mermaid™ wraparound (easier to grasp in cold water).
1 Canon Sure Shot waterproof camera - loaded with 200speed slide film. Perfect for grap shotsand accident documentation, as well as snaping up interesting gear configs, or that once in a life time picture.

Secondary Pouch Right Side Second Pocket
1 calculator
1 small notebook
1 Sunto M2 compass
1 roll of 3M black electrical tape (Don’t use the cheap stuff)
1 roll of 3M white electrical tape (Don’t use the cheap stuff)
12 inch piece of black surgical tubing
1 8 by 12 inch sheet of waterproof paper

Secondary Pouch Left Side First Pocket
Suntan lotion
1 roll of teflon tape
1 roll of 3M green electrical tape
1 container of mask defogger
1 12 inch piece of nylon cord

Secondary Pouch Left Side Second Pocket
Assortment of adaptors, low and high pressure plugs, wing nuts, flat washers, O-rings for valves, and hoses, a mask strap, and extra mouthpieces for standard and poseidon regulators.
 
Most shops have the basics. We found a decent mask at a decent price for my wife when hers broke. The mark up on small parts is reasonable on the island and makes luggin extras questionalble.
I still take batteries and one for the dive computer(s). A few straps and a bag of zipties.
If you dont work on your own gear (regs/inflaters) then tools will just add to the travel weight.
Then there is the argument of fixing things on location. To be honest, I dont bring my kit on location (to the site) for fear of theft. I have not been a victim but it is a reality so nothing stays in the truck when we dive (cept water bottles).
Heck, I may even want to lift the kit mentioned above, but then I'd have to carry it home.;)
 
An extra LP or HP hose. Seriously. I'll never go anywhere without one now. You never know what can happen. It was really windy one day last week in Bonaire and I had my rig setting on the back of the truck getting ready to dive and looked away for one second to grab for my mask and WOOSH! CRASH! BANG! OH F**K!!!! My rig fell and did a frist stage plant on the ground. Snapped my LP hose for my octo right off. Luckily my 1st stage wasn't damaged...just the hose but it taught me a lesson about a) never look away for one second and b) you can never be over prepared with spare bits. I was thankful that the dive shop had lots of spare hoses...and a yellow one to boot to replace my broken yellow hose. (I love my yellow LP hose...)

Other than that...just the basics in my "oh s**t kit":

Spare O-rings---lots of them. I went through 11 tank O-rings in Bonaire last week :mad:
Fin strap(s)
Mask strap
Spare clips
Zip ties
Batteries for computers and dive lights
Multi-pupose dive tool
Sudafed
Ibprophin
 
This brings new definition to Weight Belts. :rofl3:

Seriously, I don't think you really dive with this, and some things (cell phone) wouldn't survive the dive. :(


If you don't work on your own equipment regularly, you can minimize your spare parts requirement. I've been in many of the dive ops/shops and most are able to work on and have parts for all the common things that might need repair. I work on mine, so besides the normal hand tools, I bring complete rebuild kits, IP gauge, 2nd adj tool and other misc things. But no where near what Joel takes. :shocked2:

I've never needed to use them on my own equipment.

Remember, your not going to the boonies, nor on a liveaboard for a week. If something happens, your only 15-20 minutes away from a dive shop. You'll only loose one of your 4-6 dives for the day. So, just take the basics for you.

I have found quite a few marginal yoke 0-rings on the tanks. My old Sherwood would work fine with them, but many of the newer regs were much more finicky. Dive Ops have spare O-rings, I just put a couple in the glove box just in case.

Dennis,

Start with getting a neoprene and Velcro mask strap, you will wear it out before it breaks. Also, get spring straps for your fins, again, they will not break. Alternatively, for boat diving just get a pair of full foot fins.

As for spare parts, here is a great article, it may be a bit overboard, but it is comprehensive:

Taken from here:
Nitrox, Wreck, Trimix, Technical Diver

Spare Parts and Tools
by Joel Silverstein​

Over the past few years I have used every imaginable type of spare parts kit, yet none of them ever really satisfied me. When I was working with my dear friend Capt Billy Deans I noticed that he was wearing this belt pouch, and no matter what needed to be fixed - it was in that pouch.

I was doing an article for Sub Aqua in 1996 and the pouch became the subject of discussion. I had Billy inventory what was in his; I have added some things and subtracted others over time. Take a look at what we carry, and design your own around this system.

The pouch we use is made by L.L. Bean — (click picture to go to LLBean) it is a modular system — a center pouch with an add-on on each side. There are other companies that make these like Eddie Bauer, and some of the camera bag companies. Find what works for you. The nice part is you can wear it while working, or just carry it on your shoulder when transporting it. Plus, it fits most anyplace.

blackbag.jpg


On the Belt
Titanium Buck Knife in its own holster.
Super Leatherman Tool in its own holster.
Cellular phone clipped onto the belt.

Main Pouch
2 - 9-in-1 hex key sets one in metric, the other for standard sizes
4 tappet wrenches 3/8 x7/16, 1/2 x 9/16, 5/8 x 11/16, 3/4 x7/8.
(The open face and thin wall characteristics of the tappet wrenches make them ideal for working in confined areas)

1 metric tappet wrench 13mm x 11mm for Poseidon hoses
1 adjustable 8 inch Stainless Steel wrench
1 5/16 nut driver for hose clamps
1 needle nose Vise Grip
1 7 inch Stainless Steel Vise Grip
12 nylon tie wraps
1 metric allen key to fit the OMS din to yoke and screw adapter.

Secondary Pocket in Main Pouch
1 hemostat
1 stainless steel pick
1 bronze flat bladed O ring extractor
1 stainless steel suture removal scissors
1 Swagelok caliper
1 small tube of Christo-Lube oxygen compatible lubricant
1 small pad of coarse scrubbing material
1 battery removal tool (25 cent coin) from Cochran and battery polisher

Secondary Pouch Right Side First Pocket
Assorted Sharpie indelible pens — regular and fine point
1 white paint stick
1 certification card
1 $20 bill
1 #1 pen with the Little Mermaid™ wraparound (easier to grasp in cold water).
1 Canon Sure Shot waterproof camera - loaded with 200speed slide film. Perfect for grap shotsand accident documentation, as well as snaping up interesting gear configs, or that once in a life time picture.

Secondary Pouch Right Side Second Pocket
1 calculator
1 small notebook
1 Sunto M2 compass
1 roll of 3M black electrical tape (Don’t use the cheap stuff)
1 roll of 3M white electrical tape (Don’t use the cheap stuff)
12 inch piece of black surgical tubing
1 8 by 12 inch sheet of waterproof paper

Secondary Pouch Left Side First Pocket
Suntan lotion
1 roll of teflon tape
1 roll of 3M green electrical tape
1 container of mask defogger
1 12 inch piece of nylon cord

Secondary Pouch Left Side Second Pocket
Assortment of adaptors, low and high pressure plugs, wing nuts, flat washers, O-rings for valves, and hoses, a mask strap, and extra mouthpieces for standard and poseidon regulators.
 
Not sure its considered a "spare part" but if you have a flashlight, camera or anyother sealed item bring Silicone Grease for the o-rings
 
Our first trip to Bon I took enough parts and tools to re-build a 1963 Ford pickup truck.

Since then I take the bare minimum and anything that is unique to my rig - for instance, a little box of various o-rings, some bungee cord, a couple of bolt-snaps, roll of tape. And, as much as I dislike them, a small adjustable wrench.

If anything craps out at the dive site it is no big to spend an hour running to Carib Inn for replacements, then back diving - maybe just hop in at Carib Inn... Bruce has most anything you could need, at about the same price you'd pay at home.

I don't wanna be a pack mule when I go to bon.
 
nitrox o-rings for tanks (if you're diving nitrox)

...and plenty of them. We has several leaky ones in Bonaire last year. It's a pain to be at a dive site and realize that you have a leaking o-ring and no replacement. Sure, you can take the tank back and swap it for another one but it's a lot easier to just swap one and go diving.

It goes without saying but you also need a pick to change them.
 

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