Cylinder certification labels provide some degree of proof of VIP currency, Enriched Gas blending tolerances and Cylinder Gas contents. Cylinder certification labels are widely available on the internet. These labels can even be purchased freely through certification agencies or for the so inclined willing to spend the extra money and make the effort , fabricated at any graphic arts store.
In my opinion a quality, reputable inspection and certification center (read local dive shop via a graphic arts store) is willing to place their name and contact information on such labels. Note: it is also my opinion that a reputable dive shop or certification center does not pull scams causing the customer un-needed financial expenditure regarding cylinder certification.
Due to the accessable ease of aquiring certification labels many divers have taken to applying them at their convenience. Unfortunately many of these divers are lacking qualification or actual factual knowledge of the cylinder inspection process. As a consideration simply working in a dive shop does not guarantee the technician has the correct working knowledge or at the minimum; approved reference material to refer to.
My post is not to critize those who apply their own labels but rather to suggest at the very least to undertake some form of self education to the liabilities, practices, procedures and processes related to using such labels and cylinder certification.
The internet has a wealth of information at your disposal and to simply apply labels brings with it a element of risk acceptance. I refer you to the DOT, Compressed Gas Act (cylinder handling) and OSHA, to mention a few. Other countries will have their own laws and regulations, so check your local area and governmental laws.
Here I see the internet as part of the solution as much as it may be part of the problem. That and the individual who is looking to save a few bucks by applying their own acquired labels.
I also wish to bring to the attentiion of the average diver that dive shops are often looking for ways to save money and may not elect to advertise their name on these labels. While this not ideal it's a fact of life. Just as you would not procure breathing gas at a unknown qualitative source, you should still request validation of the shop or individual to perform cylinder certification.
Equally here I suggest that dive shops and those operating filling stations make a careful assessment when handling cylinders. If you feel the label has been applied with the intent to allow continued cylinder filling but lacking honest validation, then you should protect yourself, the business and to the greater extent the customer by requesting the cylinder be confirmed regarding it's certification. The customer may not like this but the time it takes to at the very least remove the valve and do a quick internal check may put all at ease and illustrate your professionalism - safety first.
There are cylinders in use that have been identified by governing authorities to be removed from service.Some from many years past. Some cylinders have not been opened for inspection in years, only being validated at time of hydrostatic testing. And even then! These cylinders remain in use because certification labels continue to be applied by unknowing or disregarded by non-observing individuals.
My suggestion is take the time to know the rules of the game, to protect yourself and those you dive with. For what it is worth I am in need of up-dating my cylinder inspection certification and will do so within the next year.
In my opinion a quality, reputable inspection and certification center (read local dive shop via a graphic arts store) is willing to place their name and contact information on such labels. Note: it is also my opinion that a reputable dive shop or certification center does not pull scams causing the customer un-needed financial expenditure regarding cylinder certification.
Due to the accessable ease of aquiring certification labels many divers have taken to applying them at their convenience. Unfortunately many of these divers are lacking qualification or actual factual knowledge of the cylinder inspection process. As a consideration simply working in a dive shop does not guarantee the technician has the correct working knowledge or at the minimum; approved reference material to refer to.
My post is not to critize those who apply their own labels but rather to suggest at the very least to undertake some form of self education to the liabilities, practices, procedures and processes related to using such labels and cylinder certification.
The internet has a wealth of information at your disposal and to simply apply labels brings with it a element of risk acceptance. I refer you to the DOT, Compressed Gas Act (cylinder handling) and OSHA, to mention a few. Other countries will have their own laws and regulations, so check your local area and governmental laws.
Here I see the internet as part of the solution as much as it may be part of the problem. That and the individual who is looking to save a few bucks by applying their own acquired labels.
I also wish to bring to the attentiion of the average diver that dive shops are often looking for ways to save money and may not elect to advertise their name on these labels. While this not ideal it's a fact of life. Just as you would not procure breathing gas at a unknown qualitative source, you should still request validation of the shop or individual to perform cylinder certification.
Equally here I suggest that dive shops and those operating filling stations make a careful assessment when handling cylinders. If you feel the label has been applied with the intent to allow continued cylinder filling but lacking honest validation, then you should protect yourself, the business and to the greater extent the customer by requesting the cylinder be confirmed regarding it's certification. The customer may not like this but the time it takes to at the very least remove the valve and do a quick internal check may put all at ease and illustrate your professionalism - safety first.
There are cylinders in use that have been identified by governing authorities to be removed from service.Some from many years past. Some cylinders have not been opened for inspection in years, only being validated at time of hydrostatic testing. And even then! These cylinders remain in use because certification labels continue to be applied by unknowing or disregarded by non-observing individuals.
My suggestion is take the time to know the rules of the game, to protect yourself and those you dive with. For what it is worth I am in need of up-dating my cylinder inspection certification and will do so within the next year.
