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In diving, as in other activities, the equipment is safety! Some tips to maintain it, and optimize its use,dictated by my experience (if you do not know why, I know … and sometimes at my expense).
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Systematically rinse your material with clear water after use to avoid corrosion and alteration of neoprene by the formation of salt crystals.
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Allow the material to dry in the open air,to avoid the formation of mold.
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Mark his material by his initials, with indelible marker.
The main equipment
1. Palms, mask and snorkel
It is necessary to know some tips to choose well and use your equipment "PMT":
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The snorkel is recommended,in order to be able to save air on the surface or to cope with unforeseen situations, such as swimming over long distances with an empty bottle.
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When first using a new mask, always clean the ice with a new mask with toothpaste to remove the silicone it has been coated for preservation, and whose presence in a thin layer facilitates the formation of fogging.
- To avoid fogging formed by condensation, spray anti-fog, then rinse once.
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To adjust the strap of the mask, do not tighten the skirt on the face; the pressure of the water will naturally hold the mask on your face. The addition of a fabric sleeve on the strap facilitates handling under water, especially with gloves.
2. Wetsuit
The combination is necessary to limit the heat exchange between the water and the body, and protect the latter from possible aggressions (bites, cuts, abrasions …)
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For drying the suit,use a specific hanger that will prevent the formation of folds in the neoprene
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Adapt your wetsuits to water temperatures. Wet combinations can be used from 10 ° C to 32 ° C; their thickness ranges from 1.5mm to 7mm. For dives at temperatures below 10°C, use a wetsuit or surveste on the main suit.
- You can use neoprene tops to modulate the thickness of combinations at a lower cost, if temperatures can vary
- A lycra top is very useful in very hot waters, so as not to use a wetsuit, but to protect yourself from unwelcome contacts and sunburn.
Regulator & Mano
The regulator reduces, through its two stages, the high pressure delivered by the cylinder to supply it to the ambient pressure.
- The first membrane stages have more moving parts than piston parts, which makes their revision longer and more difficult; however, this system reduces internal corrosion by preventing water from entering the system.
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The compensated first stages make it possible to maintain the same breathing comfort when the pressure of the bottle drops during the dive; they are not necessary for the rescue regulator,but almost unavoidable for the regular diver, who often dives beyond 20 meters
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In the DIN system,the regulator screws into the faucet. In the caliper system, the regulator is pressed against the seal. In this system, it is not necessary to tighten the caliper too much, the pressure delivered by the bottle ensuring a perfect seal by pushing the inner seal. With the caliper system, always provide emergency O-rings to avoid unpleasant surprises once on the boat.
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In order to be able to use your worldwidehardware, it is betterto opt for a DIN system equipped with a caliper adapter,which will allow to use all systems; the reverse does not really exist yet. In addition, the DIN system is more reliable, the seal cannot leave its housing
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In case of diving in cold water, it is necessary to use an anti-icing kit; this is all the more important as the volume of decompressed air is important, as by the use of a waterproof suit parallel to a large inspiration, in water at the temperature below 10 ° C.
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Before diving, test the regulator by performing three ventilatory cycles; when inhaling, the pressure gauge needle should not move.
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Regarding themaintenance of the regulator, always rinse it thoroughly with clear water,as soon as possible after use, by closing the first floor with its cap,under penalty of damaging your regulator; never let an unrinsed regulator dry, keep it always wet
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Never use an air regulator on a nitrox bottle
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Regarding the overhaul of the regulator, schedule it every one to two years,or after intense use over six months to a year, or if breathing becomes difficult.
Stabilizer vest
The vest allows you to control its buoyancy by adding or purging air, thus changing its volume and the resulting Archimedes thrust.
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Check the position of the strap on the cylinder, about 1/3 of the valves. The fabric collar that passes around the faucet should be horizontal.
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Check that the strap of the stab's is tight,to prevent the bottle from slipping.
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Pass the fabric collar of the stab' into the faucet, to make sure not to lose the bottle in case of a problem of tightening.
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Regarding the choice of the stab': for leisure dives, opt for an ADV jacket,with short straps, eliminating if possible any buoyancy on the front by placing the envelope at the back, and by marrying the contour of the hips. The inflator pipe must have a mouth inflation device (allowing to disconnect an inflator that locks)
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Before diving, always test the quick purge and overpressure valves,and the impermeability of the stab' by inflating it.
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Add clips for the second air source and for the pressure gauge.
block
The block is made of steel or aluminum,at a working pressure of between 150 and 200 bar. For technical dives, it is necessary to carry two bottles joined together by a manifold (specific faucets)
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Aluminum bottles are much lighter than steel ones and often require a 5kg lester for a 12 L bottle.
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Place the bottle lying down to prevent it from falling; make sure, however, that it cannot ride.
Other equipment elements
1. Dive computer
It makes it possible to measure the diving time, the depths, and thus to avoid any decompression accident by an integrating calculation.
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Prefer a computer whose stack can be directly changed by the user
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Protect computer screen from scratches with wide transparent tape
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For security, double the computer with a stopwatch; the knowledge of the maximum depth of the dive when planning and the use of a table allows to have an alternative in case of malfunction of the computer.
2. Safety signalling systems
These are visual systems to allow a safe rise to the surface and return to the surface boat:
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To lighten your suitcases when transporting by plane, replace the weight of the parachute (700grams) with a simple fishing lead, usually sufficient.
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Equip the stab' with a whistle and possibly a mirror for autonomous dives, which will be useful in case of ascent very far from the boat.
Accessories
1. Knife/Pruner
The knife/pruner is mainly used to cut any wires or cables in which the diver has become entangled.
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Prefer a pruning shear (for cables on wreck) or a z-knife (hook cut wire for fishing nets) that will take up little space, and will have a real function. They must be accessible with both hands,so rather placed in the safety triangle.
2. Equipment attachment systems
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Remember to use a stretch strap for the camera,attached to a D ring of the stab'
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place a clip or hook for the octopus, to avoid letting it hang in the water.
3. Diving lamps
Diving lamps are mandatory for caving dives,in wrecks,or for night dives.
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Provide an emergency chemical lamp,in case of failure of the diving lamp, or in case of emergency for partially open wrecks not requiring a lamp
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Regularly recharge NiMH batteries that discharge very quickly
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If not used for a certain period of time, remove the O-rings and batteries,to be stored in an insulated plastic bag
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Always check the joints after openings (absence of sand, hair, etc. on the seal, to coat with silicone)
4. Other accessories sometimes very useful
Useful accessories include:
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a slate to communicate underwater
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a waterproof bag for the boat, to store fragile material
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a net with equipment for the boat, to regroup its equipment and not lose anything
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a diving bag for the equipment to be boarded in the plane, with stainless closure and castors
5. Cameras, camera
Some general tips on the maintenance and use of cameras:
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Always clean O-rings after openings, to avoid sand, particle, hair
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Grease silicone seals to prevent them from drying
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Rinse the box with clear water after each dive to avoid the formation of salt crystals; never allow an unrinsed device to dry.