My tank leaked down!

[SBelle]

Ok, question from a new guy, but first some background. I went on my first post-cert (which was done in a local lake) dive trip (3 days of diving) back in May (Florida, 2 days off Miami Beach and one day out of Key Largo). The first two days we dove off a private boat. Day 3 was with a charter out of Key Largo. On my second dive of that day, I was getting ready to roll off, looked at my SPG, and saw 1200 PSI. My air was on; it appeared that my tank had leaked off quite a bit of air. All the gear for dive 2 had been set up by the boat captain right after we came up from the first dive. We can only guess that he left the air on after setting up the gear, and it somehow leaked down during the ride to the second dive site.

So, here's the question -- what's standard operation on these charters that set up gear for you? Air on and leave on, or check air then turn it back on until you're ready to splash in? It seems like a quick check, then turn it off would make more sense and avoid something like this, but I'm just wondering what others, do.

Thanks!

[CompuDude]

Originally Posted by SBelle

Ok, question from a new guy, but first some background. I went on my first post-cert (which was done in a local lake) dive trip (3 days of diving) back in May (Florida, 2 days off Miami Beach and one day out of Key Largo). The first two days we dove off a private boat. Day 3 was with a charter out of Key Largo. On my second dive of that day, I was getting ready to roll off, looked at my SPG, and saw 1200 PSI. My air was on; it appeared that my tank had leaked off quite a bit of air. All the gear for dive 2 had been set up by the boat captain right after we came up from the first dive. We can only guess that he left the air on after setting up the gear, and it somehow leaked down during the ride to the second dive site.

So, here's the question -- what's standard operation on these charters that set up gear for you? Air on and leave on, or check air then turn it back on until you're ready to splash in? It seems like a quick check, then turn it off would make more sense and avoid something like this, but I'm just wondering what others, do.

Thanks!

Usually you can hear a small leak like that, but not always (especially on a crowded, noisy boat). There is also the risk of something moving and pressing on an inflator button or reg purge. So yes, I would agree that's best to hook up, check pressure, and then turn off if you're not planning to go in right away, rather than leave a fully rigged system on and pressurized for an extended amount of time. Might be a good idea to purge the air out of the system so you don't glance at the gauge and assume the air is on... or be darn sure you don't forget to the turn the air back on before splashing.

[Travelnsj]

I always try to set up my own gear. I take my my Regulator to my room at night, soak it and dry it out and the next AM return it to be hooked up, usually by me. If the DM wants to hook it up even during the SI I am standing right there and turn the valve on and check my pressure. I then turn it off and when I am ready to suit up turn it on again and check before I put my arms in the BC. Why? I switched my tank one time, went to the front of the boat for lunch a DM came behind me and switched the tank again. 60' no AIR...always check you air!

This can happen to anyone who does not check you air before you jump in. I was once diving with a Padi course director in Palau, 10 minutes and 80' into the dive I felt hands grabbing me from behind! He dove on an empty tank. He said I gave him a new Birthday! That is a mistake never to be repeated! Always check your AIR!

[Sansho]

For the casual diver, having someone else switch tanks in between dives is probably viewed as a nice service. However, there are some, like me, who are anal about anyone else touching their equipment.

I take a quick intake on the regulator while watching the pressure gauge, before entering the water. If the valve isn't open all the way, the gauge will move south.

[Rileybri]

Originally Posted by Sansho

For the casual diver, having someone else switch tanks in between dives is probably viewed as a nice service. However, there are some, like me, who are anal about anyone else touching their equipment.

I take a quick intake on the regulator while watching the pressure gauge, before entering the water. If the valve isn't open all the way, the gauge will move south.

It was drilled into my OW training to check my gauge before entering the water. I cant not do it now!

[SlvrDragon50]

:/ Id prefer to do my own equipment.. If its the thing that keeps me alive, I want to be sure first hand that it is in top notch condition.

[FishFood]

It's also possible that the tank leaked air before it ever got on the boat. Rental tanks aren't the best tanks and often can have leaks in the valve/neck area. If possible, it's a good idea to check your tanks while you can still swap it out for another - IE, when the crew is first loading the tanks on the boat.

[mchain]

I'll let someone change tanks for me but I usually check the tank pressure right after and then double check the valve is back open before I splash.

[abcitydiver]

No arguments on any of the above posts, but something else occured to me. Lets say there is a small leak in your equipment set up, and you have just been hooked up to a new tank, you do a quick pressure check and turn the valve back off. Just before doning and entry you turn the valve to open, check your pressure which looks great, and back roll in.
The problem is you're going to have that air leak start right up and possibly greatly cut short your dive. If you had left the valve open from the time you initially set up, you might have the heads up before the dive and time to find and fix the leak. Just another side to the coin.

[character157]

I dont feel right if someone sets up my gear for me...its a little bit of my OC showing though but its how I dive. If there is a problem I want to know right off the bat.