Trwmodela
Contributor
Ok, I keep hearing some divers talk about dropping their tank if they are having trouble at the surface. Your BCD should keep you on the surface unless it fails. We all know about dropping your weights FIRST.
I did read a report on a diver with a leaking low pressure hose that also contributed to a problem keeping his BCD inflated. You should be able to manually inflate your BCD if your tank is empty or your low pressure hose fails. But if your BCD fails to hold air then why would I drop my BCD & tank? To me your tank would provide some positive bouyancy at the surface and maybe the only piece of equipment besides your wet suit providing bouyancy. Dropping your tank even when empty of air makes no sense to me. I always dive with aluminum tanks and I believe the extra weigh from a steel tank would make a difference in bouyancy.
Tim
I did read a report on a diver with a leaking low pressure hose that also contributed to a problem keeping his BCD inflated. You should be able to manually inflate your BCD if your tank is empty or your low pressure hose fails. But if your BCD fails to hold air then why would I drop my BCD & tank? To me your tank would provide some positive bouyancy at the surface and maybe the only piece of equipment besides your wet suit providing bouyancy. Dropping your tank even when empty of air makes no sense to me. I always dive with aluminum tanks and I believe the extra weigh from a steel tank would make a difference in bouyancy.
Tim