Useful skill I have never, ever attempted

[paulwall]

So, on my many many dive trips this year, I have seen divers of all skill levels - from dangerously unskilled to "should no longer have legs - more of a fish than man".

So, naturally I have seen, oh 4 or 5 divers with their tanks slipped out of the bands. Normally this occurs on or near the boat, but once or twice, the tank is loose at the end of the dive.

So, here's my unlearned/untried skill: How hard is it to replace the tank and tighten the straps (which obviosly stretched when wet) in the water column (not kneeling on the bottom, both divers in mid-water). Is it doable, given that one diver may be less than able to maintain trim with a loose tank, and someone pushing and pulling on their tank strap?

Should it only be done at the surface in case the affected diver loses his reg? Should the affected diver have one hand (or both) on his reg and octopus in case of unneccesary yanking?

Or should it be done kneeling safely (in sand) on the bottom with the affected diver assuming the "horsey-style" position?

Does the assisting diver then unthread the cam buckle to tighten the strap, or do you just let it stay loose?

Fortunately, the only time this happened to my buddy was on the boat before we jumped in, as the cam buckle caught on something and pulled open as he stood up. I fixed that one, but left all the others up to the DM.

Please discuss.

 

[Vtdiver2]

I have seen, oh 4 or 5 divers with their tanks slipped out of the bands. Normally this occurs on or near the boat, but once or twice, the tank is loose at the end of the dive.
So, here's my unlearned/untried skill: How hard is it to replace the tank and tighten the straps (which obviosly stretched when wet) in the water column (not kneeling on the bottom, both divers in mid-water). Is it doable, given that one diver may be less than able to maintain trim with a loose tank, and someone pushing and pulling on their tank strap?

Yes, it can be done, as I've done it. It isn't easy, and if you can kneel on the bottom, it would give you leverage and make it easier.
When I had to do it, we came upon a solo diver who was trying to hold his tank in the band with one hand and hold a dive flag with the other. Needless to say, he was getting frustrated. Where we were was covered in Zebra mussels, so I didn't take him to the bottom because I was afraid either he or I would get cut on them. I had my buddy take his flag and we stayed about 10 ft above the bottom. First I got behind the diver and loosened his tank strap up. Then I motioned for him to get horizontal. With his head slightly below his body, I was able to slide the tank up just enough it wouldn't hit his head. Then I got beside him, and tightened up the strap, bracing against his body for leverage. It took awhile for the whole process, as bouyancy and leverage issues kept us moving about. It probably looked like we were fighting or something to a casual observer.
We were just starting our dive and he was ending his. When we got out of the water he was gone, but there was a thank you note on my windshield.
C-Dawg

 

[Charlie99]

I've reattached tanks a few times on the bottom and once at a safety stop.

It was much easier to do it "doggie style" while they laid face down on the bottom.

As I recall, the one time I reattached a tank in midwater it was more like I reattached the diver&BC to the tank. I held the tank motionless between my knees and manhandled the diver by the shoulders to move him and the BCD down onto the tank.

 

[fairybasslet]

A DM did that for my son in a water column. That was pretty cool.

 

[LI Diver]

Good question Paul I would like to see how this turns out as well, I've only had 17 dives but witnessed this last week in the keys on a shallow dive. A gentlemen and his wife were behind me while finning along a pc of structure and I happened to look back to see her tank floating above her they didn't even know until I alerted them. They resolved it at depth but I did not hang around once I saw they had a handle on it. I was with my son, another diver and a guide who was getting ahead of us. Maybe double straps is the way to go? Can they be added to a unit w/one strap???

 

[Mr.X]

So, on my many many dive trips this year, I have seen divers of all skill levels - from dangerously unskilled to "should no longer have legs - more of a fish than man".

So, naturally I have seen, oh 4 or 5 divers with their tanks slipped out of the bands. Normally this occurs on or near the boat, but once or twice, the tank is loose at the end of the dive.

So, here's my unlearned/untried skill: How hard is it to replace the tank and tighten the straps (which obviosly stretched when wet) in the water column (not kneeling on the bottom, both divers in mid-water). Is it doable, given that one diver may be less than able to maintain trim with a loose tank, and someone pushing and pulling on their tank strap?

Should it only be done at the surface in case the affected diver loses his reg? Should the affected diver have one hand (or both) on his reg and octopus in case of unneccesary yanking?

Or should it be done kneeling safely (in sand) on the bottom with the affected diver assuming the "horsey-style" position?

Does the assisting diver then unthread the cam buckle to tighten the strap, or do you just let it stay loose?

Fortunately, the only time this happened to my buddy was on the boat before we jumped in, as the cam buckle caught on something and pulled open as he stood up. I fixed that one, but left all the others up to the DM.

Please discuss.

Interesting question. With my students I always have them wet fabric tank bands before getting in the water. Once the bands are clamped I have them physically try to slip the tank out by grabbing the backplate and cam band clamp. Then I try. If it slips...redo. This is a great exercise which reinforces the fact that dry fabric stretch in water and that tanks slip. I haven't had one incident yet. However...a majority of folks do not do this and hence your observations.

On a dive boat (if divers are under my watch & I am playing divemaster) I will try to wet every fabric tank band before a diver goes in and during pre-dive checks I will test tank bands for tightness and geometry. Geometry meaning that any band clamped on an angle will loosen in the water. Those that balk at my procedure...tough luck. Eat it buddy. I let their buddy have a go at putting a tank on in open water + try it in a current! It's a pain, but it can be done poorly. Generally, the assisting diver won't have enough force unless they have a stable platform, or something to brace against. If it happens early get them on the boat.

My two cents are: an ounce of prevention

 

[miked]

Hi Paulwall,

Is it doable mid water-yes. By me-don't know.
The situation:

A few years ago, in Coz,I noticed the tank of another diver, some 20+ feet ahead of me, loose and sliding down through the tank strap. I caught up to him, just as the first stage, fortunately, hooked onto the tank strap. I held onto the tank and the diver while my "buddy du jour" got the attention of the DM, who returned to us. I pointed to the problem, the DM took a hold of the tank and, in midwater, reset and reclosed(?) the band and buckle. As the DM wound up between me and the diver, I did not see the details of the process.

It was rental gear, and the buckle/band setup was not familiar to me, so I didn't even attempt it,so as to not make the situation worse.

Take care,
Mike

Ps: I am such a slow typist-and had a phone to answer as well, that all the other replies got posted while I was hunting and pecking.
Nonetheless, I hope this adds to the other replies

 

[joe rock]

Interesting question. With my students I always have them wet fabric tank bands before getting in the water. Once the bands are clamped I have them physically try to slip the tank out by grabbing the backplate and cam band clamp. Then I try. If it slips...redo. This is a great exercise which reinforces the fact that dry fabric stretch in water and that tanks slip. I haven't had one incident yet. However...a majority of folks do not do this and hence your observations.

Mr. X, I was taught the same way. On a first dive with a new dive buddy as I was wetting my BC he said "they teach you funny things" I didn't say anything, as we entered the water, his tank went south and I had to reattach before descent.

BTW, it was a pain to do so!

 

[Wayward Son]

I've never done it, but one of my dive club members witnessed it done in Coz this year. Their DM had his tank come loose, said the DM removed his BC, repositioned the tank, tighened the cam, & put it all back on. In the water column, not on the bottom.

I expect that it would take some practise to do this without a fair amount of stress & frustration

 

[rixemailfl]

Been there done that!!

My instructor and buddy I have dived with the most all stressed wetting your strap before setup. This has helped me from having this happen.

My buddy & I were on a dive trip to the Bahamas diving with a group of thrown together divers from all over. We hit the water for a wreck dive and I look over to my left across the deck of the wreck and there is a lady finning along & her tank is slipping down. Her buddy/hubby is in front of her so he doesn't see. I signal my buddy & we head over to assist. I get her attention & we start correcting the situation while my buddy goes to retrieve her buddy/hubby. We did the correction on the deck of the wreck & everything went fine.

On the bus back to the hotel we find out that this lady is... Now get ready for this...


A DIVEMASTER!!!


Ok so no big deal right, you learn your lessons and grow in knowledge and become a better diver because of it.


Next day we're diving a wall on the Tongue of the Ocean. You know where it drops off to like 6000 feet deep! Finning along enjoying the marine life, looking at the reef sharks about 30 feet below us when we look up about 15 feet ahead of us & what should we see????

Same team of DIVEMASTER & HUSBAND & guess what. Her tank is loose and slipping almost out of the band.

We signaled the DM & let him handle that one!!!