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Diver Panic

October 25, 2008 By

By James Costello

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.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_Costello
http://EzineArticles.com/?Diver-Panic&id=1602263

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Aqua Lung Recalls Apeks Scuba Diving Regulators Due to Drowning Hazard

September 17, 2008 By

NEWS from CPSC

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Office of Information and Public AffairsWashington, DC 20207
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 17, 2008
Release #08-402		Firm's Recall Hotline: (877) 253-3483
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Aqua Lung Recalls Apeks Scuba Diving Regulators Due to Drowning Hazard

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: Apeks Second Stage Scuba Regulators

Units: About 25,000

Distributor: Aqua Lung America of Vista, Calif.

Manufacturer: Apeks Marine Equipment Ltd., of Blackburn, England

Hazard: These regulators can be missing the diaphragm cover which can cause the diaphragm to become displaced during a dive, allowing water to enter the scuba regulator. This poses a drowning hazard to divers.

Incidents/Injuries: None.

Description: This recall involves Apeks TX, ATX, and XTX second stage regulators that have never been serviced. Apeks and TX, ATX, or XTX is printed on the regulator.

Sold at: Authorized Apeks dealers nationwide from February 2000 through June 2008 for between $420 and $1,450.

Manufactured in: England

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop diving with these regulators and visit an authorized Apeks dealer for a free inspection and free installation of a diaphragm cover, if the cover is missing.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Aqua Lung toll-free at (877) 253-3483 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or visit the company’s Web site at www.aqualung.com

Picture of Recalled Scuba Diving Regulators

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The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from thousands of types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. The CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals - contributed significantly to the decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC's hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC's teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270, or visit CPSC's web site at www.cpsc.gov/talk.html. To join a CPSC email subscription list, please go to https://www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx. Consumers can obtain this release and recall information at CPSC's Web site at www.cpsc.gov.

Filed Under: Equipment Recalls Tagged With: ,

Aqua Lung Recalls Scuba Regulators and Adapters Due to Drowning Hazard

September 10, 2008 By

 

NEWS from CPSC

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Office of Information and Public AffairsWashington, DC 20207
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 10, 2008
Release #08-393		Firm's Recall Hotline: (877) 253-3483
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Aqua Lung Recalls Scuba Regulators and Adapters Due to Drowning Hazard

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: Titan DIN 1st Stage Scuba Regulators and Titan/Conshelf DIN Scuba Adaptors

Units: About 6,000

Manufacturer: Aqua Lung USA, of Vista, Calif.

Hazard: Over-tightening of the DIN retainer by a technician during installation can result in the retainer breaking under pressure, a rapid escape of air from the scuba cylinder, and the regulator detaching from the scuba cylinder. This poses a drowning hazard to divers.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received one report of a DIN retainer breaking under pressure. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The recalled regulators have a brass DIN retainer manufactured prior to June 2006. The recalled Aqua Lung Titan Din 1st Stage regulators have serial numbers lower than 6062501 stamped on the side of the regulator’s body. Recalled Titan/Conshelf DIN adaptors are marked “300 BAR MAX” on the side of the part. DIN adaptors marked “300 BAR MAXI” are not included in this recall.

Sold at: Authorized Aqua Lung dealers nationwide from January 1997 through September 2008 for about $300 to $450 for the scuba regulators or $70 for DIN adaptors sold separately.

Manufactured in: France

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled diving regulators and DIN adaptors and return them to any authorized Aqua Lung dealer for a free replacement DIN retainer.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Aqua Lung toll-free at (877) 253-3483 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.aqualung.com

Picture of Recalled Scuba Regulator

Picture of Recalled and Non-recalled Scuba Regulator and Adapter

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The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from thousands of types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. The CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals - contributed significantly to the decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC's hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC's teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270, or visit CPSC's web site at www.cpsc.gov/talk.html. To join a CPSC email subscription list, please go to https://www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx. Consumers can obtain this release and recall information at CPSC's Web site at www.cpsc.gov.

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Equipment Recalls Tagged With:

Recall of Titan / Conshelf DIN Handwheel Retainers

July 14, 2008 By

Recall of Titan / Conshelf DIN Handwheel Retainers
Part # 106056 in America (124606 elsewhere in the world)

Apeks Regulator and OctoVista, California
18 June 2008

Dear Authorized Aqua Lung Dealer,

Please find the following links: a Technical Bulletin announcing a recall of Titan / Conshelf DIN handwheel retainers, a Consumer Notice for posting, Technical Instructions for your service technician and an Acknowledgement Coupon to be returned to Aqua Lung. Although the situation described in the documents provided has arisen following inappropriate and incorrect usage, as a precautionary measure we prefer to take into account the realities of actual usage and the safety of your customers, yourselves and your technicians.

The purpose of this email is to explain in detail the procedure for the replacement of the part in question.

  1. Supply of Parts

    If a consumer brings a Titan or Conshelf DIN regulator(s) to you with the part in question, give us a call at 1-877-253-3483 and we will dispatch the appropriate number of replacement screws to you immediately.

  2. Implementation of actions:

a. We ask that you post the consumer notice in your place of business where it can be seen
by all.
b. You should make every effort to inform your clients in which ever way you deem suitable.
For our part we are advising the diving media, diving forums and education/training
organizations such as SSI and PADI.
c. In particular, please adhere to the instructions provided. We have tested this operation and it
only requires a two minute service.

  1. Traceability of Actions Carried Out:

    In order to ensure that this operation is successfully carried out, please provide to Aqua Lung a list of the serial numbers of the Titan / Conshelf DIN first stages that you have upgraded. It is essential that this is done regularly. Serial numbers can be:
    a. Faxed to 1-760-597-5080 or 1-800-882-3483 or
    b. Emailed to weserve@aqualung.com
    Old parts can be discarded at your place of business. There is no need to return them.

  2. Acknowledgement

    We need to confirm that you have received the enclosed documents. Please sign and return the enclosed acknowledgement coupon. You can fax it back to us at 1-760-597-5080 or 1-800-882-3483
    or send it by mail to:

    Aqua Lung America
    Recall Confirmation
    2340 Cousteau Ct.
    Vista, CA 92081

We would like to thank you for your attention to this matter. For further information please do not hesitate to contact us.

The Aqua Lung Team

Filed Under: Equipment Recalls Tagged With:

Limited Recall of Apeks TX, ATX and XTX 2nd Stages

July 14, 2008 By

Limited Recall of Apeks TX, ATX and XTX 2nd Stages

Filed Under: Equipment Recalls Tagged With: ,
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