Sticking HP gauge

[DEEPLOU]

Web Monkey The bad part about rental gear is that you have no idea what you're getting.

You can get a regulator that looks like it just came out of the box, but is actually completely corroded inside and may stick open, closed, leak or do any number of bad things.

If you think you like SCUBA, you should start buying your own stuff, so you know what kind of shape it's in. I'd start with a regulator and gauges or computer.

If you want to save some money, you can buy used, since a first-class used regulator that you have serviced properly will work just as good as a it did when it was new. The only possible catch here is that some manufacturers provide lifetime free parts, but only to the original purchaser.

Terry


Quote:
Originally Posted by griffindm

I was looking for some more experienced insights here on the reliablity of equipment and rental gear in general, as well as suggestions on other things to learn from the experience.

Thanks.

Best insight on rental gear is: don't.

Aside from reliability, which you have no idea how it was maintained (if at all), you don't know what diseases the last guy to barf through that regulator had.

Get your own gear, get new stuff unless you know the person you are buying used gear from, you don't know how its maintanience has been (like rental). And often times if you buy second hand and immediately get it overhauled, you might just have well bought a new regulator.

 

[pt40fathoms]

Best insight on rental gear is: don't.

Aside from reliability, which you have no idea how it was maintained (if at all), you don't know what diseases the last guy to barf through that regulator had.

ROFL, Thats just about the best sales pitch for the "mouthpiece condom" I have ever heard! The LDS I work with sells tons of those "condoms" to traveling divers every winter. I have, up till now, considered them a gimick. But thanks to your very graphic and funny way of putting it, I have just changed my mind on them. Of course buying your own gear is still the best option.


Still laughing............

 

[DEEPLOU]

ROFL, Thats just about the best sales pitch for the "mouthpiece condom" I have ever heard! The LDS I work with sells tons of those "condoms" to traveling divers every winter. I have, up till now, considered them a gimick. But thanks to your very graphic and funny way of putting it, I have just changed my mind on them. Of course buying your own gear is still the best option.


Still laughing............

Actually that was originally told to me as the best reason to buy your own gear.

 

[farrakhan]

Am I alone in noticing that it is the people who complain the loudest about the cost of purchasing scuba equipment, are also the ones who scream the loudest when the rental gear or cheaper alternatives are rented or purchased fail on them. I treat my gear like my life depends on it because most of the time it does. 130 Feet is no time to be second guessing the quality of your gear.

My advice as a dive operator, never ever accept gear that looks bad. My trick is to go into the shop and see what the dive master is using and mention you were thinking of purchasing that exact kit but have never had an opportunity to try one out. Nine times out of ten you will end up with the divemasters gear (usually well maintained) and he/she can deal with faulty SPG's, sand in the regs, and any other problem that may come with rental gear.

Personnaly rental gear should be inspected visually by the dive center any time it is rented and serviced at least once a month.

My two cents.

 

[DamselDiver]

OOA situations are probably the most frightening emergency new divers might encounter. Good initial training, and diving experience help divers better handle these situations. Griffendm and his buddy handled a potentially deadly situation with calm and resolve, a credit to their training and OW instructors.

As far as gear goes, rental gear must always be inspected completely and the diver must be familiar with the arrangement and operation of any ufamiliar gear before getting in the water with it.

If I could take only one piece of gear on a dive trip, it would be my regulator. I like having complete confidence in my air source.

Enjoy the water and stay safe

Cheryl

 

[hecker-the-wrecker]

We are going to Maui this winter and I was actually thinking of leaving my stuff at home. After thinking about the "barfing disease infested diver" that used the rental before me. I think i'll take the chance of bringing my new stuff. So clean...........

 

[GrierHPharmD]

I'm a new member here, and a recent OWD diver as well (11/03). On my 5th OW dive, done in the Bahamas in September 04, I had a OOA incident at about 45 feet that gave me a start. I was diving with rental gear, which IMHO looked a lot worse than anything I have used before. At first they gave us reg sets without depth gauges, which we returned, asking for sets with full gauges. Admittedly, my experience was limited to gear rented on an into dive in Grand Cayman, my local dive shop, and a dive in Crystal River, FL. It was my first OW salt water dive, with lots of distractions in the surroundings, and I failed to check my pressure as frequently as I should have. Fortunately my buddy was right with me, and when I started drawing hard we shared air via his octo to 15 foot without incident. My HP gauge still showed plenty of air left, and my octo alternate was equally dry. After following the group below back to the boat, the DM in the group had me switch to his octo at the boat safety stop. I was drawing a lot of water from his octo. After head tilting and tongue blocking unsuccessfully to keep the water at bay, I chose to surface at that time. I had already spent 5 minutes at 15 foot following the group from above back to the boat combined with my time at the stop. At the surface, an inspection showed that his octo mouthpiece was cracked 1/2 way through.

I've learned to check my gauges more frequently and suspect trouble if air consumption is not following to pattern. I also began checking my gauges by pressuring them and drawing them down with the air off just to make sure they work going down as well as up. I was pleased that my training paid off in keeping my head and thinking, rather than making a panicky response, and that my buddy was equally rational. I was probably the most upset on the condition of the DM's octo than anything else that happened. I did report the incident to the cruise ship that sponsored the dive shop, as well as to PADI, which certified the shop.

I was looking for some more experienced insights here on the reliablity of equipment and rental gear in general, as well as suggestions on other things to learn from the experience.

Thanks.

Thanks for the report. I'm glad to hear that you and your buddy kept your heads, remembered your training, and had a safe outcome.

I'll chime in with the others above in saying that it might be a good time to consider an equipment purchase. I bought mine after a BC malfuntion in training, and have never had the slightest regret. Owning your equipment and keeping it maintained can provide wonderful peace of mind.

Safe ascents,
Grier

 

[griffindm]

Thanks for everyone's input. Like Chris above, I actually own my own gear, but decided not to take it cruising for a single day dive. I won't make that mistake again. I'll at least take my own regulator and spg/computer. The regulator I had purchased was new, but from a 2nd or 3rd tier vendor. I plan to get myself a new top tier reg before I dive again. I like that comfort in knowing my life-support equipment is top-notch.

My viewing the posts here at Scubaboard has definitely made me a more informed diver. I hope to continue to glean useful 'nuggets' of information from the more experienced divers here.

Regards,

Dave Griffin

 

[ScubaNorth]

Sounds like a lot of folk have had bad experience with rental gear. I own and I rent at times. I can't say I share any of these nightmares but I have one suggestion. If you rent please treat the gear as if your life and maybe someday my life depends on it. I have seen many divers treating rental gear like trash because it belongs to someone else. A reg full of sand? I can guarantee the DM or shop employees didn't put it there. Think of the expense you and i would have if they had to tear down and rebuild every reg after every use. Oh and if you see someone abusing rental gear let the shop employees know to check the gear out (unless you are into direct confrontation with other divers which I don't think is a good idea).

P