tank banger

[cyclone]

Originally Posted by moosicman

what in the world is this.....???

I have mesh protection on my tank. So, I use my knife to bang my tank.

[RonFrank]

This thread is too funny. For the person that asked about safety devices, before you get onto ANY boat going into the open ocean, or a big lake, don't walk, but RUN and get a Safety sausage. The bigger the better.

We lost a couple on the Grove last July. It required two coast Guard boats, two police vessels, four dive boats, and a Helicopter to find them. If they had safety sausages our boat would have seen them immediately upon inflation of the SS. A signaling mirror is also a good idea.

This IMO should be Mandatory dive gear for open ocean boat diving.

[RonFrank]

Originally Posted by cyclone

I have mesh protection on my tank. So, I use my knife to bang my tank.

I assume this is so you don't damage the sides of the pool when you are diving?

[Chad]

Originally Posted by RonFrank

This thread is too funny. For the person that asked about safety devices, before you get onto ANY boat going into the open ocean, or a big lake, don't walk, but RUN and get a Safety sausage. The bigger the better.

We lost a couple on the Grove last July. It required two coast Guard boats, two police vessels, four dive boats, and a Helicopter to find them. If they had safety sausages our boat would have seen them immediately upon inflation of the SS. A signaling mirror is also a good idea.

This IMO should be Mandatory dive gear for open ocean boat diving.

A signal whistle is also a good item to have.

[MSilvia]

Originally Posted by RonFrank

I assume this is so you don't damage the sides of the pool when you are diving?

Awww man, you almost made me spit beer all over my keyboard! You should warn a guy before making a crack like that.

[dallasdivergirl]

Originally Posted by MSilvia

Awww man, you almost made me spit beer all over my keyboard! You should warn a guy before making a crack like that.

ok....so I wasn't the only one cracking up over that one.

I was loving the one about the guy that had some one cutting the tank banger off of his tank.

[texarkandy]

OK - I'm gonna "bump" this old thread.

After reading all the posts from the anti-tank banger crowd, I just don't get it. I've seen the same subject on SB with the same old criticisms of tang bangers.

We have tank bangers - they come in handy - (no, we don't go around being obnoxious & banging our tanks all through the dive.) There are occassions when it's handy just to get your buddy to look over at you so you can give them a hand signal.

(aside from that - there are many ways to be an obnoxious diver - just having a tank banger doesn't make you one)

Some say "just use your knife or some other metal object" - but that means you have to get that object out first from wherever it's attached or pocketed to use it - then put it back after you've rapped on your tank, & of course should you be fumble-fingered & drop it then you have to go get it or it may just be gone forever.

Why bother with all that when you can just have a simple inexpensive tank banger you can reach back & pop.

I'd think a sub-duck would be much more annoying to other divers (not too mention cost) As for an audible emergency surface signaling device, we have storm whistles ($5) clipped up high on our BC's: Storm Whistle, Accessories: Signaling, Trident, Storm Whistle
(very loud!)

If a tank-banger & storm whistle makes me a newbie-dork or cheapskate in the eyes of some, so be it. We like 'em.

[character157]

OK...the tank banger may be annoying but I did have use for it twice...I got the attention of a dive buddy to show him something-I used it once and he swam over. I try never to use it unless its important. Also, I put it on the tank before loading up the car and it kept the tank from rolling around...it was an easy on hand solution to a rolling tank. Not my favorite dive tool but it did work.

[CompuDude]

Originally Posted by texarkandy

If a tank-banger & storm whistle makes me a newbie-dork or cheapskate in the eyes of some, so be it. We like 'em.

For the record, I am NOT a member of the "tank banger haters alliance".

As long as you're not obnoxious with them, I see absolutely no harm, and at least some value in them. They're not perfect, and in a perfect world would be completely unnecessary, but there are times that they fit the bill perfectly in this imperfect world.

I have tank bangers on most of my tanks. They live there, quietly ready should I choose to reach for them. Which is pretty rarely. But it's not like they cost a fortune.

[diver 85]

Originally Posted by Capt Hook

Pretty much a waste of money.

unless you see something----my wife will not dive without hers, a lime green one that's about 15 years old...........