Diving Equipment

PhilF

PhilF

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I have seen a bit of diving kit in a french chandelry magazine.
Its a small tank and reg, but I cant find mention of it in UK anywhere
Looks like a cool bit of kit

peinture.proship.fr/obj/fiches/securite-681.htm

Any Ideas or thoughts, for bottom scrubbing perhaps

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The link did not show the picture - I am guessing its a small pony cylinder with regulator.

I have just purchased a set of scuba gear and only intend to use it for work under the boat but still intend to have pro tuition before I take the plunge.

I know one of the difficulties is to maintain neutral bouyancy and so I think, even for under boat work such as freeing props, a BCD would be required. Although I am purchasing a small 3 litre pony cylinder for short duration dives.



<hr width=100% size=1>Paul
 
You won't need a BCD to free a prop.

old Buddy harness & Back plate.
3 lts Cylinder
A Desent DV
Wet suit
Correct ammount of lead on a weight belt.


Andy

Dive Skipper / Ex Commercial Diver.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.taurusdiving.co.uk>http://www.taurusdiving.co.uk</A>
 
Advice please:-
Is the old buddy harness and backplate just a harness to hold the backplate that holds the 3 ltr cylinder? I could not find the exact thing on google.
What is a DV?
I bought a complete outfit from Ebay including BCD, regulator, lead belt etc. My only purpose for this will be to clear prop fouling or do underwater boat inspections. I am now purchasing a 3 litre pony cylinder as the 12 ltr one I have is a bit big. I am having the equipment checked etc but it all seems fine.
I have spent about 20 minutes underwater with scuba gear on with an instructor to date without any problem.
What training would you suggest, if I a, only doing very shallow dives for the boat?
Will I still not need a BCD to make it easier to control buoyancy, even though I am only shallow? Or is it never needed for such shallow dives.
All help appreciated.




<hr width=100% size=1>Paul
 
The most difficult area to control your buoyancy is in the top 10m. This skill is essential to be able to work as you envisage.
For your own safety get at least the lowest level of qualification, otherwise you may become yet another statistic and get real divers a bad name.

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Then how can you control buoyancy without a BCD?

I am confused.

At no time was I not going to get trained before using this equipment - I was simply asking what level of training was recommended.


<hr width=100% size=1>Paul
 
In the old days (before BCDs) divers used a lifekacket as their buoyancy device, and the cylinder was strapped to your back ona small backpack. Today the bcd does both and is much easier. The pony is normally not strapped to the back, but slung in a pocket or suspended from a ring on the bcd. I would have considered a 7ltr cylinder more appropriate for what you want to do anyway. In UK there are three systems that you can join for the training:
BSAC, PADI and (cant remember name of the third). IMHO BSAC provides the most comprehensive training. PADI the most universal qualification at the highest price (PADI=Put Another Dollar In).

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I will get the open water.

However say i have my props snagged and am alone with the family - water is calm. Surely then its safe with a rope on connecting me to the boat to dive and free the prop? All I am going to use the equipment for is under the boat stuff and there are emergency times when i can see that there is little choice but to dive alone albeit being connected to the boat.

Secondly, I am really confused about the advice on a BCD. I am being told I do not need one and I am alos being told that I need to control buoyancy - can someone please give me a clear answer on this?

<hr width=100% size=1>Paul
 
Thank you.

So you are saying that a BCD, even for under boat stuff, is a good idea - yes?

There seems to be differing opinions on this and as a total novice the advice is confusing. My logic is that for ease of working under the boat it makes sense to have my buoyancy controlled - it will stop me banging up against the boat etc as I work....but I do not know because I have never done it.

Thank you for the training advice. I belong to a boat and sub-aqua club with diving instructors I know well - I will be taking all the advice and training there.

I have ended up with a 12 litre cylinder and I am now getting a 3 litre - will those two do? I reckon if I cannot clear the fouling in time with the small cylinder at least I have the big one to fall back on.



<hr width=100% size=1>Paul
 
the BCD is the only variable buoyancy available so you do need it really if you wish to work under the boat at all.
alternative often used is to anchor boat with 8 ft of water under the hull and 'overweight' using standard weight belt. You then walk around on the bottom to work on the hull / props.

<hr width=100% size=1>madesco madidum ..../forums/images/icons/smile.gif
 
Having your buoyancy correct is going to make the work a lot easier, and you will not waste as much effort just trying to stay where you want to, so you wont use as much air, thus a bcd will make life easier. However the bcd inflation is normally from the cylinder, and the 3 ltr will soon be exhausted. On some you can manually inflate as well, and that would be the most obvious answer, but using a cylinder sized to the task would be better. agree that the 12 is probably too large for this task, but would be surprised if the 3 is going to be big enough (hence recomendation for a 7).

3 ltr cylinder is normally used as either an emergency supply, or to contain a different gas (nitrox) for use during a decompression stop in order to reduce possibility of bends.

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Thank you for the clear answer ... the earlier advice on this thread was that a BCD was not needed for work under the boat - just a old buddy with backplate and DV.
This was why I was confused.

My next question - whilst on a roll ...

I have a dry suit with air valve at the top together with a fleece - this seems more suitable that a wet suit for cold UK waters - is this more difficult to use than a wet suit. I realise you need to get rid of the air but the reward of warmth seems to make its use worthwhile.

How long could I expect to get out of a 3 ltr cylinder when working under the boat? About 15 minutes or longer?

<hr width=100% size=1>Paul
 
My bcd allows me to manually inflate as well as top up from the cylinder. Although I appreciate that once under water any top up will be via the cylinder.

Would this change your view on the 3 ltr?

<hr width=100% size=1>Paul
 
hi gludy

I had as bit of trianing before using the stuff - tho in reality they start taking you down to 5m plus quite quickly - like after the first morning, and at that point it is serious stuff, bit frightening for me and i'm not that bothered anyway.

I think more impiortant with poncing about with a boat to make sure you get the buoyancy thing right, otherwise you get whacked on the head by boat above. Gloves, wetsuit, slipon dive shoes highly advisable near barnacley hull. Tie tools onto self or boat with lanyard.

Important - unless in emergencies, choose a really flat calm day to inspect

Really important - flick lots of switches off to make v sure that nobody can accidentally turn engine on.

For saefty minded chap with reasonable funds such as yerself, i wd also suggest Kollision Kit - repair kit for hul leaks which works underwater. think Force4 sellem, or someone on the web

good luck.

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ok, rope gets caught round props and you pass out for some unknown reason, will your wife be able to jump in and free you before your limited air runs out - just a question, its not doom and gloom , just safety

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