April 2008    Download the Entire Issue (PDF)

Vol. 23, No. 4   What's this?

Readers’ Dive Tips

from the April, 2008 issue of Undercurrent  

Sy Halberg (Cranberry Lake, NY) says, “When gearing up, my wife Corky and I always thoroughly wet the tank bands on our BCDs before tightening them. If this is not done, the band could loosen when the diver enters the water. Once I witnessed a diver’s tank slip out from his BCD underwater and another diver lose her tank while exiting from a shore dive.” This is an especially good tip to follow when your gear has been stored for a while and completely dried out, because dried tank bands will expand when wet and can cause tanks to slip.

To protect the glass faces of dive computers, gauges and consoles, Don Gensler (White Salmon, WA) recommends two-inch transparent shipping tape. “This gives excellent protection against boat and coral scrapes for well over 100 dives. Use a sharp knife or razor to trim the edge where display meets frame, then your finger to work the bubbles out..” To remove glass scratches and haze, Gensler takes a diamond whetstone and dampens it with water and a drop of detergent.

We publish good tips when we get them, so keep them coming to EditorBenD@undercurrent.org.