How do divers not realize their air isn't on?

[cpace]

Another problem is overly "helpful" boat attendants. I like to set up my own gear and turn my air off for the trip out in the boat then turn it back on just before putting on BCD. More than once someone has started goofing with my air just before I enter the water. At least once my air was turned back off.

 

[rhwestfall]

 

[rhwestfall]

 

[divad]

Right - I'm guessing these folks didn't have buddies.

I didn't have that training for OW. Take mask off, yes, but not air off. However, I'm starting with a volunteer dive team at an aquarium, and they said after a few weeks they put you through a "panic test" underwater. I'm interested to see what my reaction to things are!

Just don't panic. If they **** it up, your relatives will become rich........... but think of all the relative fondness you'll receive.

 

[Silty Sam]

After I set up and test my gear on the boat, I will shut the air off to conserve the battery in my AI transmitter.

After it's off, I always dump the pressurized air into my BC to inflate it a bit. That way if I ever do forget to turn it back on, and the boat crew member helping us into the water also doesn't see it, I'm still going to bob to the surface and have time to realize there is a problem.

And yeah, on a hot drop, it gets checked several times...

 

[scubadada]

Before you step off the boat, inflate your aircell and take a couple of breaths from the reg (pref. both) watching your SPG. If the needle goes down, you air is off. Then hold on to your junk and step off. I'm sure "inflate" and "hold on to your junk" was in OW but I forget if our instructor mentioned the SPG needle or I picked it here on SB or from a DM somelace.

No, we didn't have "air off". That would be a bad idea in an OW course.

You don't always want to put air into your BC. Many of the drift entries in SE Florida are quick, negative entry dives. Simply pre-breathe your reg to check if your cylinder is on.

 

[BRT]

I'm sorry, I'm not sure what you mean. I'm guessing the "No!" is in response to my question about being air in the tank?

And when you say pre-breathe... what does that mean? Like breathing with it on the boat? I always have it in my mouth and breathing before I get to the end of the boat to stride off.

Breathe deep and fast while watching your pressure gauge. If it even twitches something is wrong.

 

[Darnold9999]

Its the only thing I do every time 3 breaths while watching the gauge just before splashing. Every time - really every time - no exceptions. Have caught the valve off twice in 700 plus dives and both times were me in a rush.

 

[MrBigfins]

Precheck, check, and recheck. I have donned a tank with gas off, but never entered the water with it off.

As for air off in OW, we did that skill in both pool and open water exercises.

 

[Marie13]

Yeah, my instructor never mentioned doing a breath test while looking at the gauge. Probably would be a good idea for them to teach that. I know I'll do it from now on in.

My instructors taught it.