Tank Valve Training

[Seb]

After reading of accidents where divers did not have their air turned on, I wondered why we are never taught to find and turn on the valve to the tank itself? I can't think of any reason to not turn it on underwater, and it is actually easier to turn it on yourself when floating. I think if I were early in a dive and was out of air I would check that valve.

I sometimes just take off the bc entirely as an exercise, and I have removed it during dives when I thought there was a problem with it, such as when a fold of fabric gets caught betweeen the tank and hardpack. We have hand signals for loose and slipping tanks, a thumb falling out of a fist. ( If you know ASL go ahead and laugh, it works for us!)

 

[BadFish]

I dont know about the rest of you but part of the training i do does involve having your air turned off and turning it back on.

 

[The Chairman]

Some of us have reduced flexibility for one reason or another precluding us from turning tanks on and off without taking our BC off first.

The concept of BWRAF (Begin With Review And Friend) which ultimately stands for..

BC
Weights
Releases
AIR
Final check

Following this should eliminate the air problem entirely. I has for me!!! If the tank valve is turned all the way "on" and then backed of 1/16 of a turn, then the OW diver should NEVER have a roll off situation to deal with. Finally, the diver should take a couple of breaths while watching the gauge, to make sure there are no restrictions or partially opened valves. I also use my inflator valve to ascertain the connection of the LP hose to the valve.

 

[Scubaroo]

I have had a AOW buddy turn my air off during a buddy-check. Discovered it standing in about 4' of water on a shore entry as we were about to slip under - put the regulator in my mouth, took a couple of breaths to make sure it was working, lo and behold, no air. He didn't know which way to turn a valve on - my air was already on, he just started screwing the knob until he found a direction in which he could turn it a lot (OFF!).

Methinks not enough attention is paid to gas management in OW and AOW training - I know I can't reach my valve while wearing my BC, but as NetDoc said, not everyone is flexible enough to do so. Maybe some yoga would help me I agree with Seb, more emphasis should be placed on gas management in general (other than being shown to hold your console continuously throughout the dive to watch your SPG), including the ability to check your own valve.

 

[BadFish]

I do agree, there really is no excuse for jumpimg off a boat with your air turn off.....with that in mind, i've done it........

That really should be one of the things you check during your check out pre dive.........Tehn again before making entry check both your regs (i.e. take a breath) and check your P.S.I.

 

[Wendy]

Originally posted by NetDoc
If the tank valve is turned all the way "on" and then backed of 1/16 of a turn, then the OW diver should NEVER have a roll off situation to deal with. [/B]

I'm sorry, could you explain to me why?

 

[The Chairman]

OK Wendy,

I am not sure which portion I need to explain.

According to my training with compressed gas cylinders (While employed as a lab technician at the College of Chemistry, U of Florida and then later when I became a certified welder)... they should be opened fully, but NOT left against the "open stop". You should turn the valve back a smidgen, so that if you fiddle with the knob, it feels "loose". A valve that has been tightened open or tightened closed feel the "same". If you refrain from forcing the valve to be "tightened open" and back off of it a tad, you can easily tell if the valve is open or not. Loose = open, and tight = closed.

As for the second part... an OW diver should NEVER EVER be in a situation where their valves could be rolled off. Never. Ever. That is the definition of an Open Water Diver. Anyone who ventures in to a confined area should be trained and able to handle a valve roll-off. The only way for a roll-off to occur is if you are bumping the ceiling with regularity. An open water diver should NEVER EVER have a ceiling. Never. Ever. I have not taken those courses, so I stay out in the open water. I hate to tempt fate. I did tempt a Kate once, but thats another story...

 

[Uncle Pug]

Valve drills are a beginning exercise in DIRF...

Being able to manipulate all valves including the center isolator while remaining motionless in a hover is considered a necessary skill.

I personally find it is easier using a bp/wing and definitely easier when using doubles.

 

[Wendy]

Ok, I was confused, the way it was written I thought you were saying that a smidge turn back would prevent a roll-off.

I dive with my tanks turned all the way on, I don't do that 1/4 or smidge turn back thing. I don't have my knob cranked hard on, but just on all the way.

 

[Seb]

I have had helpful people "check" my air before jumping off the boat and they "helpfully" turned it off! I find when in the water a slight lift of the tank with the left hand brings the valve right to my hand for turning on.
All that said, I still do a buddy check before diving, it's just like flying an airplane - do your checkout!

As for "roll off", I have a hard tiume buying this one.