Silly Questions

We receive phone calls every day, people booking charters and signing up for classes and adventures.  And sometimes asking the silliest questions.  So without further adieu and in no particular order are some of the favorite things that people have asked us over the last couple of months

Do you have to know how to swim?

This is one of my favorites.  Who doesn't know how to swim?  Seriously, get to a pool, lake, stream, whatever and spend some time in the water.  I don't expect Michael Phelps, but how can you be an adult and never been in water deeper than a bath tub.
Furthermore, if you don't know how to swim why does jumping off of a boat in the middle of the ocean seem like a good idea?  We try very hard to be clear about what we do SCUBA DIVE, in the ocean, from a boat, please be comfortable in the water.  If you are not comfortable, maybe stay on the beach? or in the hotel pool?

Are there sharks out there?

I hear this all the time, and I blame shark week and terrible movies like Sharknado for the misconception people have of sharks.  Of course there are sharks out there, it's the ocean.  That does not mean you will see a shark, nor that a shark is around.  And you will not be eaten by a shark.
Are there mosquitoes in the forest? Are there pigeons in the city?  Nobody asks these questions yet these animals do cause a lot more death and destruction every year than sharks.

I have a cut / on my period, will that attract sharks?
Just stop and think about this one.  How much blood actually oozes out when you cut yourself.  I'm talking about a little "band-aid" sized cut, not a "I need stitches" cut.  The small amount of blood that may get into the ocean is not enough to attract anything, and while it may be true that sharks can smell that one drop of blood, it won't send them into a frenzy.  Don't worry about sharks, if you cut yourself in the ocean make sure it gets cleaned out because the bacteria can be more dangerous than sharks.

I just had major surgery and I'm ready to dive

I'm glad you think you are ready to dive, but what about your doctor?  Now that we know about your medical condition we need a doctor's authorization before we can take you diving.  Unfortunately, I don't have a doctor on staff who can check you over, but I do have the proper forms; so please, if you have a medical condition get the forms to the doctor, have him sign them and clear you to dive.  I can NOT just take your word for it.


Will we see fish?
Nope....fish don't live in the ocean.  Next question

Are we still going even if it rains?

What, are you afraid of getting wet?  You are about to jump into the ocean, who cares if it rains.  People routinely call just to ask this question.  Please just stop and think before you speak.

Where will we go?

I especially love this question from tourists.  Do you know the dive sites?  You just told me that you have never been to Hawaii before, so what am I supposed to tell you?  We are going to Timbuktu, or, Bratislava, or Turtle Canyons; you don't know the difference. My apologies to both of you out there who do know the dive sites and are legitimately interested.  If you are one of them, please let me know before you ask this question and I will make sure you get a good answer.

There are many more silly questions to come.  Please share your own experiences too!

Tank Maintenance

Maintaining your scuba tank and valve is just as important as maintaining any other piece of scuba gear. Tanks often end up getting thrown around, placed on the bottom of the gear piles, and even used as door stops.  While scuba tanks and valves are pretty tough, they are not indestructible and need to be cared for and serviced regularly.

By now we all know that visual inspections need to happen at least annually and hydrostatic inspections must occur at least every five years in the United States.  But do you really know what is being inspected and why these inspections are done?

A visual inspection involves taking the valve off of a tank, placing a light source and sometimes a probe into the tank to look for any kind of corrosion, pitting, or other contaminates in the tank

It is amazing what you find in a tank.  In this case, metal shavings and fuzz

A visual inspection will also detect neck cracks or other imperfections in the tank construction before they fail.

A hydrostatic test is required by federal law in the United States every five years.  This test involves filling a tank with water, pressurizing it, and measuring the expansion of the tank.

Our hydro station

Caring for the tank is not very difficult.  Make sure these tests are done on schedule, give them a quick fresh water rinse once in a while, avoid extreme temperatures and impacts to the tank.  Most tanks have a life span measured in decades if they are cared for.  But a tank is more than just the metal cylinder.

The valve is often forgotten when it comes to cylinder care.  Valves have the hardest job of any piece of scuba gear.  They must seal very high pressures and release it in a controlled manner time after time.

Valves must be cared for in many ways.  Firstly, it is important never to over tighten the valve handle.  The valve seat that makes the seal, closing the tank, does not need more pressure to seal; cranking the handle closed will only bend the valve stem.  Valve stems should give you years of flawless service, but there is no way to repair a bent one and it must be replaced.

A bent valve stem

Corrosion of the valve is another big concern.  If water is introduced to the tank, it will cause the metals to corrode rather quickly.

A corroded dip tube

An annual service of the valve involves disassembling the valve and cleaning all of the pieces individually.

Sometimes small leaks of air come from the valve handle.  These are usually caused by an improperly maintained valve where the seat has worn, the o-rings are beginning to fail, or corrosion prevents proper sealing.

Corroded bonnet nut and valve stem

A damaged crush washer and lots of corrosion

Having your valve serviced regularly will guarantee many many years of operation. I recommend having it done at least annually, when the tank gets visually inspected is a good time for it.  This is a service you may need to ask for since most tank service is usually done ala carte and not combined with other work.

Tank and valve repair can be rather technical requiring specialized tools and procedures

We at Hawaiian Diving Adventures are fully trained and equipped to keep your tanks happy and operational for many years to come.  If your tanks are ready for service or they are suddenly making funny noises, call (808) 232-3193 or bring it in and we can take a look.