Visual Inspection

**trekkindave** · 08-12-2008, 15:03

Is there anything specific that a shop looks for in a visual inspection sticker??

I have seen some generic stickers on leisurepro.com... what is stopping someone i buy a used tank from from getting one of those stickers and slapping it on there to make it look like it is actually inspected?

Also...

If one was to fill their own tanks through a compressor (a high quality breathing air compressor, not a sear's special garage compressor)... then how important is the visual inspection on an aluminum tank?

**monant** · 08-13-2008, 07:05

I am not sure of everything an inspector looks for but from a safety stand point the tank should be inspected every year. As we all know, a dive shop will not fill a tank without a current VIP. If a tank passes the yearly VIP, then the only thing the VIP accomplished was allowing the tank to be filled. If the tank failed the VIP then the safety of the person filling the tank, all those in range if the tank should rupture, and the diver were protected.

I'm sure there are studies showing the best interval for a VIP in order to catch the majority of problems before safety is a real concern; an inspection every year vs. every two years or even every six months.

I have seen these generic stickers as well. If I ever become certified to perform VIPs I would buy them. I really do not know if they are a "controlled item". You could probably have your own printed at most printing companies.

However, the bottom line is safety trumps other considerations in a leisure activity and if I'm not mistaken DOT requires the yearly VIP.

**ScaredSilly** · 08-13-2008, 09:38

Sorry, you are mistaken on the DOT requirements. DOT requires a requal every 5 years (requal == hydro & visual inspection). The VIP is an american scuba industry "standard".

If you are filling your own cylinders with your own compressor you are free to do whatever makes you happy - no hydro and visual inspections are needed.

As for what a shop looks for. Typically the date of the last inspection and often who did it. Some shops will not recognize particular inspections. Pretty any twit can print up an inspection sticker and slap it on a cylinder. This is one of the problems with the whole program, exactly who is doing the inspection and what are their qualifications.

**mchain** · 08-13-2008, 10:12

I noticed in my LDS the other day that they had a sign on the wall saying that they do not honor VIP stickers from online retailers. They even named a few. In order to get fills from them you would have to get the tank inspected again.

**MSilvia** · 08-13-2008, 10:29

I've seen a local shop refuse to honor stickers from entities they didn't trust, but otherwise they've been pretty open to different inspectors.

If I walked in expecting a fill on a tank with a shop no one had heard of, or with a sticker from an inspector they hadn't heard of, they might not honor it, but if I said, for example, that the mystery inspector was a buddy of mine who had been doing his own tanks for years, and who just renewed his credential at the Sea Rovers show last March, they'd probably give me a hard time about it, but would likely take my word for it and fill the tank.

**awap** · 08-13-2008, 10:36

Originally Posted by mchain

I noticed in my LDS the other day that they had a sign on the wall saying that they do not honor VIP stickers from online retailers. They even named a few. In order to get fills from them you would have to get the tank inspected again.

They are just doing what they can to make the customer suffer a bit for doing business with an online retailer. I'd avoid them if I could. Just stupid.

**BoomerNJ** · 08-13-2008, 10:44

Leisure Pro is notorious for being shady, IMHO... I have heard of several complaints with them. If you look them up on this site or scubaboard.com you will see what I mean... This is just what I have heard from other people & read online, so if I am wrong, well then I'm wrong...

**BoomerNJ** · 08-13-2008, 10:47

Originally Posted by awap

Originally Posted by mchain

I noticed in my LDS the other day that they had a sign on the wall saying that they do not honor VIP stickers from online retailers. They even named a few. In order to get fills from them you would have to get the tank inspected again.

They are just doing what they can to make the customer suffer a bit for doing business with an online retailer. I'd avoid them if I could. Just stupid.

I agree with this also for the most part & with msilvia too. If nobody has heard of the name on the sticker I can understand, it's the lds's a$$ on the line liability wise too...

**monant** · 08-13-2008, 11:40

Originally Posted by ScaredSilly

Sorry, you are mistaken on the DOT requirements. DOT requires a requal every 5 years (requal == hydro & visual inspection). The VIP is an american scuba industry "standard".

If you are filling your own cylinders with your own compressor you are free to do whatever makes you happy - no hydro and visual inspections are needed.

As for what a shop looks for. Typically the date of the last inspection and often who did it. Some shops will not recognize particular inspections. Pretty any twit can print up an inspection sticker and slap it on a cylinder. This is one of the problems with the whole program, exactly who is doing the inspection and what are their qualifications.

Since the DOT requirement is a VIP every 5 years do you suppose the driving force for the yearly requirement is for profit, liability, or a stricter self imposed industry regulation to prevent the government from becoming too involved in the industry?

**No Misses** · 08-13-2008, 14:42

Quotes from multiple posts

DOT requires Hydro & VIP every 5 years. False. DOT only requires a Hydro every 5 years for portable cylinders.

If you have your own compressor you do not need VIP or Hydro. False. You need Current Hydro (<5 yrs) in order to transport the cylinder (DOT = Department of Transportation). You are correct when you state that you do not need a VIP. This is a dive industry requirement. There is no law stating that you need a VIP.

The Visual Inspection Process looks at:
Condition of external surface (number and size of pitting)
Current Hydro Stamp y/n
Condition of internal surface (debris, Pitting, corrosion)
Condition of valve (burst disk, dip tube, threads)
Condition of Cylinder threads
Inspection for neck cracks

These are all valid inspection points that every diver should be concerned about. IMHO

P.S. I use PSI printed VIP stickers with my insp# written on them.