What would you attempt to fix without surfacing?

[Trailboss123]

It may be worth considering thinking about how you'd attempt to fix a problem before trying it underwater the first time under pressure.

I think, as divers, we should constantly be thinking about how to deal with and resolve issues we might face. I know I do. That is one of a number of reasons why I am on Scubaboard-- There is so much to learn from others, no matter your experience level. It has been my personal experience (whether diving alone, buddied, or as a dive professional working with students or new divers) that "most" issues are dealt with much more safely and efficiently below the surface (if you are already there)- rather than surfacing and trying to deal with it there. There are always exceptions- I had one such exception, where I tried to resolve it below the surface and determined that it just made more sense and was easier and safer to surface and deal with it there (drysuit related). I have not read the other thread that was referred to at the beginning of this post- So, I may not have proper context. Context matters- especially where this post is concerned.

 

[TMHeimer]

Pretty much everything that "can be" fixed without surfacing.

Yeah, same. My inflator stuck a couple of times (shallow dives), so I just continued, orally inflating. It's something to think about I guess, as I have a hard time thinking of any equipment problems I've had UW, and my stuff is old as the hills.

 

[PfcAJ]

Depends on the dive.

“Nothing” to “anything I can get at with an adjustable wrench, screwdrivers, and Allen keys”.

 

[Dirty-Dog]

As others have indicated, it would depend on the circumstances.
Adding to this... what have you fixed without surfacing?

 

[Roger Hobden]

I assume the question is specific to a recreational (non-tech) dive, using the typical single-tank recreational gear setup, because when surfacing immediately is not an option, a tech diver might consider a repair that a rec diver would not.

Given those circumstances, I can't think of any true gear malfunction I would attempt to repair underwater. If the failure involves being unable to breathe from a reg, then reg donation between buddies is the first order of business. Then call the dive and ascend.

Point taken. See my edit of the OP.

 

[Trailboss123]

As others have indicated, it would depend on the circumstances.
Adding to this... what have you fixed without surfacing?

That is a much better question!
For me and not necessarily me, personally, but helping others = Dropped weights/Weight replacement; Drysuit inflator hose not connected/connecting it; BC inflator hose not connected/connecting it; Mask replacement (big ass lobster rocketed backward and knocked it off of a dive buddy on a night dive at 40 feet); shoulder dump valve on BC stuck open due to being tucked under the BC shoulder strap; Fin loss and replacement; Severe mask squeeze; Complete Mask Flood...

 

[Trace Malinowski]

Depends on the dive.

“Nothing” to “anything I can get at with an adjustable wrench, screwdrivers, and Allen keys”.

As AJ says, you can attempt to fix anything. But, that can be stuff not even mechanically related. I've used wetnotes and touch contact to try to fix relationship issues underwater with former girlfriends. It sucks when you take a surface problem into a dive with you.

Writing something like, "Look. I love you. I don't want to have a bad dive ... I'm sorry. Fight over?" coupled with the right look from behind a facemask and the right touch contact signal and you might be back in business.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

https://thumbs.gfycat.com/DetailedSameBluewhale-mobile.mp4

 

[JamesBon92007]

Just off the top of my head, I can unscrew my second stage if it is free-flowing and disconnect my BC power inflator hose if something got stuck there. I suppose there are several minor things that could go wrong but I'm thinking that they are probably the same things that should have been checked before jumping into the water, or, for that matter, leaving on a dive trip. In 49 years of scuba diving I've had close to zero things go wrong but I'm pretty neurotic about maintenance of my gear, and I was the same way with my boat.

 

[divad]

I had a tiny, but audible leak @ left post. I had seen a video of Trace Malinowski fixing that under water, so when I got into shallow water I shut down L post, drained the regulator, re-tightened and turned on the gas . Leak went away. Thanks TM for the video, and no,..... I did not die from watching it.