Mares Nemo Air Dive Computer
Mares Nemo Air Dive Computer
Manufacturer Mares has announced a recall of defective Nemo Air dive computers. The O-ring on the Nemo Air quick connector can fail, causing the dive computer to start leaking breathing gas, which poses a drowning hazard to the user.
According to Mares, "...this issue is covered by the EN250 norm, which requires a 0.3mm opening in the high- pressure hose fitting. As a result, the hose is designed to ensure a slow enough gas release; which should allow the diver to complete a safe emergency ascent."
The recall affects the following Mares Nemo Air dive computers:
- 414158 - Nemo Air dive computer
- 414159 - Nemo Air w/compass
- 44200771 - HP hose w/quick connector Nemo Air (spare part)
- 44200770 - Quick connector assembly female Nemo Air (spare part)
Owners of Mares Nemo Air dive computers affected by the recall should stop using the defective equipment IMMEDIATELY and contact an authorized Mares dealer or service center to have the defective O-ring replaced.
For more information, go to www.mares.com
Poseidon Besea W50 Diving Wings
Poseidon Besea W50 Diving Wings (above) and inner bladder (below)
Manufacturer Poseidon of Sweden and U.S. distributors Poseidon West, of West Lake Village, Calif., Poseidon Central, of Conroe, Texas, and American Divers Division, of Alexandria Bay, N.Y., have announced a recall of defective Poseidon Besea W50 Diving Wings. The inner bladder located inside the diving wing can break, causing the wing to fail to operate as a floating/buoyancy device, which poses a drowning hazard to the user.
Poseidon has received 15 reports of inner bladders breaking. No injuries have been reported.
The recall affects the following Poseidon Besea W50 Diving Wings: that contain inner bladders with batch number 5445:
Inner bladder with batch number 54
Tab on the Inner Bladder Showing the "5445" batch number
Owners of Poseidon Besea W50 Diving Wings affected by the recall should stop using the defective equipment IMMEDIATELY and contact Poseidon to receive a replacement inner bladder.
From the CPSC:
RECALL: Poseidon Besea W50 Diving Wings
June 23, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Name of Product: Besea W50 Diving Wings with Poseidon Inner Bladders
Units: About 300
Distributor: Poseidon West, of West Lake Village, Calif., Poseidon Central, of Conroe, Texas, and American Divers Division, of Alexandria Bay, N.Y.
Hazard: The inner bladder located inside the diving wing can break, causing the wing to fail to operate as a floating/buoyancy device. This poses a drowning hazard to divers.
Incidents/Injuries: Poseidon has received 15 reports of inner bladders breaking. No injuries have been reported.
Description: The recall involves the Poseidon inner bladders with batch number 5445 sold with the Poseidon Besea W50 wings. The inner bladder is located inside the outer cover of the wing. The batch number and "Poseidon" are molded on a tab located between the "legs" of the inner bladder.
Sold at: Poseidon dealers nationwide from September 2007 through June 2008 for about $366.
Manufactured in: Sweden
Remedy: Consumers who have wings that contain the recalled inner bladders should stop using the wing immediately and contact Poseidon for a free replacement.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Poseidon toll-free at (877) 673-4366 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or send an email to info@poseidoncentral.com
Ambient Pressure Diving Ltd. Rebreather Hoses
Ambient Pressure Diving Ltd. rebreather hoses crimped (above) and uncrimped (below)
Manufacturer Ambient Pressure Diving Ltd., of Helston, Cornwall, United Kingdom and U.S. importer Silent Diving Systems LLC, of Center Conway, N.H., have announced a recall of defective rebreather hoses sold on Inspiration, Evolution and Evolution Plus rebreathers. Due to the failure of the manufacturer (Ambient Pressure Diving Ltd.) to crimp the hoses, gas could leak or water could enter the rebreather unit posing a drowning hazard to the user.
The recall affects hoses with a smooth uncrimped collar and the following model numbers:
- AP300/15 ADV Supply Hose
- RB20/03 Oxygen Injection Hose
- EV20/03 Oxygen Injection Hose
- RB20/10 Buzzer Hose
- EV11A/1 Vision Handset Hose
- RB11A/1 Classic Handset Hose
- RB11/B Handset Hose
- AP300/10 ADV Hose
- AP300/38 ADV Hose
Owners of rebreather hoses affected by the recall should stop using the equipment IMMEDIATELY and contact Silent Diving Systems to receive a replacement hose.
Hoses with eight flats on the hose collar have been crimped and are not included in the recall.
Sold by: Silent Diving Systems nationwide from January 2007 through August 2008 for about $60. Re-breathers were sold for about $10,000.
Manufactured in: England
Remedy: Consumers with the recalled hoses should immediately stop using the hoses and contact Silent Diving Systems to receive a replacement hose. All known purchasers have been contacted directly by Silent Diving Systems regarding the recall.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Silent Diving Systems toll-free at (877) 336-4077 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.silentdiving.com
Pre-Dive Safety Check
How to perform a Buddy Check
One of the most important aspect of every dive is to perform a pre-dive safety check, which is known as a buddy check. Pre-dive safety checks are taught by most certifying organizations. You should always perform this check with your buddy before beginning any dive.
This pre-dive safety check has a few functions: you make sure that your buddy's equipment is working as it should. You should also familiarize yourself with your buddy's equipment. this familiarization will make you aware of how to release their weights, use their deflator, and use their alternate source of air, all of which may be necessary in the event of any emergencies during the dive.
This check should always be performed once the equipment has been donned, with the exception of the mask and fins. It's ideal to perform this check while on the boat before entry or on the shore before any shore dives. If this check does slip you mind, it can be performed during decent.
This safety check is broken down into several components which are abbreviated with the acronym BWRAF. There are many mnemonics that can help you remember the steps in this safety check. You should use whatever you'll remember best. Here are some of the most common mnemonics.
- Begin With Review And Friend
- Because We Really Are Friends
- Bunnies Will Run Away Fast
Buoyancy
You want to ensure your buddy's BCD is working properly. To do this, begin by inflating their BCD. Do not infate it complely You will also want to deflate the BCD to ensure that the deflator is working properly.
Weights
Check your buddy's weight system. How this performed will depend upon what weight system being used by your buddy.
- Weight Belt: Check that your buddy's weight belt is on properly and secured. Check that the quick release is free of obstructions and easily accessible. Weight belts with excess length should should not be tied or tucked into the BCD or around the belt in such a way that it's difficult to perform a release.
- Integrated Weights: Check that your buddy has their weight pockets in their BCD (with weights in them!), that they are properly secured, and that you know how to release them. For those BC's that use Velcro for the weight pockets, make sure the Velcro is not to worn that it prevents the pockets for being properly secured.
Releases
Check that all of your buddy's releases are properly secured. This includes, but not limited to Velcro waist bands, shoulder clips, boot straps, and etc. Many BCDs will have a chest and stomach clips. It's a good idea to touch each clip as it is checked. Remember to check the tank strap and clip as well. You can do this by placing one hand on the bottom of the tank and the other on the first stage regulator and trying to move the tank up and down to see if the moves up and down in the secured tank strap. If the tanks slides while doing this, resecure the tank. It is often a good idea to wet the strap before securing it to the tank.
Air
Check that your buddy's air is turned all the way on and half a turn back. Have your buddy take one or more breaths from their regulator while you watch their SPG. While you look at the SPG, ensure that the tank is full (approximately 200 bar or 3000 psi) and that the needle doesn't dip as they breathe. If the needle dips this is a sign that the air isn't turned all the way on or there is a problem with the regulator. You should also test your buddy's alternate air source by taking two breaths from it.
Final OK
Check that your buddy has all other necessary equipment such as mask and fins. Ask your buddy if they're ready to go and if all is ok you're ready to dive.
Diver Panic
What is the most serious condition a diver can experience underwater?
DCS (bends), narcosis...?
It's probably panic, for the simply reason that once a diver starts to panic he/she looses all rational thought processes. In most cases the irrational thinking renders the diver giving self-help almost impossible. The diver is not able to 'think there way out of a problem'; below is an example:
You are diving a famous wreck in local waters, the depth of the wreck is at 40m and the visibility is around 10m. The pre-dive excitement and anticipation are high as you enter the water, once you and your buddy reach the wreck you are overwhelmed by its size... You both spend the next few minutes swimming around the wreck until suddenly you look around and can't see your buddy. Then your dive computer starts to beep as you run out of bottom time, you realize your some distance from the ascent line; so you make a made swim for it. In your haste to get to the ascent line, you don't see the mass of fishing line and it gets entangled around one of your feet/fins. The more you struggle the more you get entangled, with no one to help, you start to panic. No bottom time, limited air supply (at that depth on a single tank)...
It's easy to say, but not so easy to practice; BUT if you stop for just a few seconds try to calm yourself before you hit the panic stage. You can think about your predicament more logically... Relax and slow your breathing (to conserve your air and reduce CO2 build-up), which will make you feel more relaxed and less stressed. Look down identify the problem, maybe removing your fin will make it easier to untangle! If you have a knife or EMT shear (which are highly recommended), take them out and start cutting.
Even if you exceed your bottom time by a minute or two, your diving computer will still prompt you as to what to do (safety stop, ceiling etc); and obviously in this kind of situation it would be advisable to stop diving for a 24hr period if your no decompression limits are been exceeded.
A simple trip to break the circle of panic in a diver is to get them to perform a very simple task for themselves. This shows them that they are in control, and help clam and reduce the level of panic.
By James Costello, SDI Intructor Trainer #13056; visit my website Dolphin Dive Adventures & Services for more information about scuba diving.
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