WorkCover changes to SCUBA cylinder filling

[Rabbitz]

Ok Guys and Gals,

Last year a SCUBA cylinder failed while being filled ay South West Rocks, NSW, resulting in serious injuries to the operator.

Over the last few years some of the older aluminium cylinders have come under scrutiny due to cracks around the necks. This resulted in changes to yearly testing procedures.

This latest accident has resulted in a bit of knee jerk reaction by some insurance companies and therefore by some dive shops. WorkCover and its equivalents in different states have issue advisory notes regarding this issue.

The practical upshot is a number of dive shops are refusing to fill older cylinders - typically those manufactured in 1995 and earlier. This is a decision taken by the shops - I guess it is their safety, so its their decision.

Now I am posting this as an informational post - I really hope it doesn't degenerate into another "geez that sucks" or "they can't f'ing do that" thread.

If you want to get into that sort of thread, try here:
http://www.diveoz.com.au/discussion_for ... hichpage=1

But having said that I reckon this decision sucks....

Rabz

[stinkitup]

Not having the need for a tank refill for diving or pcp's, can they not do this in safe box/area where the operator isn't in harm's way?

While this does suck no one wants anyone hurt while at work lets face it.

[gigitt]

i have heard most fill in a safe area or do it under water in a bath tub pool etc, before turning on the compressor.

Filling is not the only hazardous time... undoing the connectors and also moving the filled tanks are also potential mine fields.

I'm surprised they don't x-ray the aluminium tanks for fatigue signs like they do aircraft.

[RayG]

Safest way for everybody is to buy steel tanks, Buy once Cry once. An old pro diver friend of mine put me wise to that. He would not go near ally tanks at all.

[Rabbitz]

Safest way for everybody is to buy steel tanks, Buy once Cry once. An old pro diver friend of mine put me wise to that. He would not go near ally tanks at all.

Well I disagree - After 30 odd years of diving, both recreationally and professionally I prefer ally cylinders. There have been very few failures worldwide in either steel or ally so the "safety" issue is a furphy. I have filled and used thousands of tanks and ally are easier to work with - now fibre wrapped tanks are the worst in all respects

Not having the need for a tank refill for diving or pcp's, can they not do this in safe box/area where the operator isn't in harm's way?

While this does suck no one wants anyone hurt while at work lets face it.

This would cost more than a dive shop would make in a year to build. It is a lifestyle industry, not one you will become rich in.

i have heard most fill in a safe area or do it under water in a bath tub pool etc, before turning on the compressor.

Filling is not the only hazardous time... undoing the connectors and also moving the filled tanks are also potential mine fields.

I'm surprised they don't x-ray the aluminium tanks for fatigue signs like they do aircraft.

Filling in a water bath is not a safe area it just stresses the cylinder less. As for x-rays, in the last few years the test procedure changed to include "eddy current" testing which was used to detect invisible neck cracks - again x-raying a cylinder would cost more than buying a new one so there is no commercial case to do it.

Rabz

[malcolm]

thanks for the info Rabbitz---- I haven't dived for some years now--- even though I still have my alloy US Navy divers tank--- AND-- wait for it --- my Fenzy Vest.
The part that pisses me off is how insurance companies are ruling the world.
Cheers Malcolm

[Rabbitz]

Malcolm

I wish I still had my old fenzy, actually up until I was forced into my current lay off from diving, I was just rediscovering the joys of just a backpack without BCD.

Rabz