Kensei
Master Fin Sharpener
If a tank was visually inspected on say June 15th and passed, does this visual inspection expire on June 1st or June 30th of the following year according to the rules?
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last day of month that is punched out on the sticker
That would mean that the VCI is valid for 13 months which isn't the case. The VCI expires at the beginning of the month and the end of the prior month.
As I understand it, the VCI suggestions are not based on any law, but have become an accepted unofficial practice in the Scuba business. Anybody can do what they want with them with impunity.
Michael
I have been an inspector since the mid 80's and the sticker expires in 12 months, the end of the month prior to the month of the inspection.
There are no laws governing the VCI in the US, you can do whatever you want and who you choose to do the inspection for you and what they are willing to do. I do what I believe is right and what is according to standards using logic and common sense to ME.
The VCI program is not law, rather it is an attempt by the scuba industry toself-regulatetax.
12 months ... 12 months and 2 weeks ... 12 months a 3 weeks ... or 13 months. It's really irrelevant and an "extra" week or two isn't a safety issue.
In practice, inspectors will sticker the tank with the month/date that the tank is being inspected. Fill operators will then fill that tank through the end of the month 1 year from the sticker date. That is how it works in practice which is what the OP asked.
Has anyone EVER had their tank not filled if the VIP is due THAT MONTH? Let's say you go to get a fill today (10/29/21) your sticker is punched 10/2020. Any shop I've ever used will fill that tank. Most will let me know the VIP expires shortly. Next week they wouldn't fill that tank. They would require a new VIP first.
I'd be curious to hear if anyone has had a different experience.