Catastrophic BCD Failure questions

[foob]

On a side note, replacing inflator hose is relatively easy. Cut zip ties and pull off. Use soapy water to insert new hose. And zip tie again.

Don't be afraid to do the changes yourself.

It's like fixing your car. Sure for more complicated things or you don't have the tools or opportunity cost, pay a shop. But I've found doing it myself is the only way to ensure quality work.

 

[happy-diver]

Equipment does not fail people fail

Know your gear or you may fail too

 

[TravisD]

Why did your instructor have to tow you back?

 

[JackD342]

Sounds like they forgot to add the zip-ties. If is very unlikely that one would break, much less two.
And if they had just loosened up and allowed the two parts to separate, the "rings" of zip-ties would have still been on your gear.

So not only did they forget the ties, but they also didn't leak test after doing the work, or they would have caught the error.
Raise a stink with them when you get back in town.

 

[Rooster59]

Anytime someone else works on your gear, double check everything yourself.

 

[Bob DBF]

Anytime someone else works on your gear, double check everything yourself.

Or wander over to the dark side and DIY.


Bob

 

[Centrals]

Corrugated Hose Clamp Kit, each (Qty 2 required) | Dive Gear Express®

I use two zip ties myself.
There is NO excuse from the technician.

 

[Compressor]

Glad You are ok.
As other have said inspect your gear carefully but since uou are new you may not have known how to.
Something that has not been mentioned: next time, dump your weights if you are struggling. You will become positive buoyant.

 

[Diving Dubai]

Glad everything turned out okay, and hope the little scare hasn't put you off

I know it's easier to say (type) than perhaps think about in the middle of a drama but here's some friendly advice to help in teh futuer

1 Remember when you assemble your gear to fully check it. Inflating your BCD fully than squeezing it (checking for leaks) and testing all the dumps. It probably would have identified this on the surface. Your second check is your buddy checks - inflating and testing in front of buddy

2. Like other said remember dumping weights is the first action on the surface if you're sinking - run through the what if and what do I do actions in your head and practice removal in water at the end of a dive

3. Keep your reg in, if you need to call out, keep hold of it and then re-insert it. If you had started sinking having air gives you more time to get out of your gear

4. Run back over all your OW basic skills in your head and remind yourself of them, its easy to forget about them after you've had to do them and continue to practice them - not just mask clear etc, but inflator connect/disconnect reg remove and replace etc. they're al skills that might be required one day and its better to have these skills automated then to be in a panic

 

[Graeme Fraser]

Glad everything turned out okay, and hope the little scare hasn't put you off

I know it's easier to say (type) than perhaps think about in the middle of a drama but here's some friendly advice to help in teh futuer

1 Remember when you assemble your gear to fully check it. Inflating your BCD fully than squeezing it (checking for leaks) and testing all the dumps. It probably would have identified this on the surface. Your second check is your buddy checks - inflating and testing in front of buddy

2. Like other said remember dumping weights is the first action on the surface if you're sinking - run through the what if and what do I do actions in your head and practice removal in water at the end of a dive

3. Keep your reg in, if you need to call out, keep hold of it and then re-insert it. If you had started sinking having air gives you more time to get out of your gear

4. Run back over all your OW basic skills in your head and remind yourself of them, its easy to forget about them after you've had to do them and continue to practice them - not just mask clear etc, but inflator connect/disconnect reg remove and replace etc. they're al skills that might be required one day and its better to have these skills automated then to be in a panic

^this^, and just embellishing on point 1) fully inflate your BCD at the beginning of your kit check, leave it whilst carrying out reg tests, then go back to the BCD to make sure it's still fully inflated before checking dump valves. Hopefully that extra few minutes before deflating will be enough to test for any small or less apparent leaks.