Don't let LDS damage your new gear

harakiri · July 5th, 2009, 10:49 PM

So I just wanted to have a bit of a rant. Went for a morning dive yesterday with an LDS I'm new to. I needed to hire out a BCD along with inflator hose from them but I had all my other equipment (all brand new).

My main reg has a new mouthpiece that I installed, but I left the ziptie a little long. The dive shop owner installs the inflator hose, then says he'll cut off the ziptie excess. No problems I say.

But then he brings out a huge box trimmer and begins to aggressively cut away the excess part of the ziptie. He cuts off the excess but also puts a couple of small cuts into my reg. I don't even have time to stop him.

I felt pissed at the time that he'd done this to my reg but let it pass because the damage was minor and I could probably polish out the scratches.

But after I got home and spent 30 minutes cleaning and soaking my gear, I realise that I was stupid in trusting the LDS to "fix" a non-existent problem given the care I take in looking after my gear (done according to manufacturer guidelines). Now I look at my reg and realise I should have never let the dive shop owner touch my gear to start with.

If I had purchased regs from this shop (they sell Oceanic), I wouldn't have 100% confidence with them servicing the gear. I can't trust a shop that isn't willing to treat their customer's equipment (regardless of source) with the best of care.

Thankfully, I will be able to service my own regs after completing a training course. I'm never letting that dive shop, nor any other dive shop touch my equipment ever again.

Moral of the story: Don't let an LDS touch your new gear, and insist on doing any minor "fixes" yourself.

Maybe I sound like I "baby" my diving gear, but I take pride in looking after all my expensive gear (snowboarding equipment, computers, cameras). Thanks for reading through my rant!

Jupiter31 · July 5th, 2009, 11:06 PM

Maybe "don't let THIS LDS touch your gear" is a better way to put it as not all are as dumb as you described.

I don't see the connection regarding how the LDS might service your regs- some idiot was a little too "strong" in cutting away a zip tie; put a few scratches in your reg - assume from your post, just some scratches in the metal - no big deal; they make you look like a more experienced diver.

Sorry it happend, but its not the end of the world.

harakiri · July 5th, 2009, 11:24 PM

Heya Jupiter31,

Yeah, that would be a more accurate title. Definitely not end of the world. lol
Just angry about how everything happened so quickly. I know that my regs are gonna get a bit scratched up over the few years, but it will be because of my own doing.

Web Monkey · July 6th, 2009, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harakiri

My main reg has a new mouthpiece that I installed, but I left the ziptie a little long. The dive shop owner installs the inflator hose, then says he'll cut off the ziptie excess. No problems I say.

But then he brings out a huge box trimmer and begins to aggressively cut away the excess part of the ziptie. He cuts off the excess but also puts a couple of small cuts into my reg. I don't even have time to stop him.

I felt pissed at the time that he'd done this to my reg but let it pass because the damage was minor and I could probably polish out the scratches.

You could stop back and tell him you want him to change part he damaged for free. On the other hand, if he's trimming zip ties with a knife, chances are he doesn't have any of the other tools he needs to service your reg either. Zip ties should be installed and trimmed with a zip-tie tool that both tightens and cuts off the tie with no damage to anything.

I'd just call it a "learning experience" and find a different service facility.

Terry

rockjock3 · July 6th, 2009, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Web Monkey

Zip ties should be installed and trimmed with a zip-tie tool that both tightens and cuts off the tie with no damage to anything.

Huh, is that your hands and a pair of diagonal snips? That is the only zip-tie tool I have ever used.

harakiri · July 6th, 2009, 12:37 AM

Hi Terry,

I didn't realise that you can get a special zip tie tool. Thanks for that info!
This is why I love ScubaBoard. I learn something new every day.

I'm not going to go as far as demanding a new part since the damage is just cosmetic. But like you said, I'll put it down as a learning experience.

Web Monkey · July 6th, 2009, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockjock3

Huh, is that your hands and a pair of diagonal snips? That is the only zip-tie tool I have ever used.

This isnt' a great picture, but they all look similar.

A squeeze properly tightens the tie, then on some, another squeeze cuts it off flush, on others twisting the tool cuts it off.

Terry

diversteve · July 6th, 2009, 12:47 AM

TytonTwyster Cable Tie Tension Tools - HellermannTyton

undersea Kat · July 6th, 2009, 05:47 AM

Personaly I just use nail clippers to trim off my zip ties. They have always worked for me!

awap · July 6th, 2009, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Web Monkey

You could stop back and tell him you want him to change part he damaged for free. On the other hand, if he's trimming zip ties with a knife, chances are he doesn't have any of the other tools he needs to service your reg either. Zip ties should be installed and trimmed with a zip-tie tool that both tightens and cuts off the tie with no damage to anything.

I'd just call it a "learning experience" and find a different service facility.

Terry

Perhaps the proper zip tie tightener and trimmer would be a good barometer for selecting a shop to service your gear???? Then again, I suspect the biggest problem is not the tools but the technicians. Don't let the fancy tools fool you.