Dive Report for Beaver Lake, AR

[Creed]

First off, it was fun as heck. No one even batted an eye at the vintage gear I brought, and the PRAM performed fine for the first two dives. During the third one, it was breathing harder and wet. When I surfaced, the top can was rotated. I pulled off the band clamp, and the mechanism was wet, so the diaphragm had not stayed compressed. I tightened the band clamp down, but couldn't get the can to stay in place, so I started swapping my hoses onto my Conshelf XIV to finish the day. That's when I noticed that the HP hose for my gauge had split. Of course, I had brought extras of everything else EXCEPT another pressure gauge. No one had a spare pressure gauge to fit, so I borrowed a Scuba Pro reg from one of the instructors to finish out the trip.

All in all, a fun trip, though. My main dive buddy was a gentlemen who was very interested in vintage gear. He has a double hose reg at home which he would like to get rebuilt, so we may have a new forum member soon. The water temperature went from the mid to high 50s on the surface to low 40s under the thermoclines, with 70 feet pretty chilly even in a drysuit. The visibility was ok(or downright amazing when compared against Kansas lakes). Once they got the dock fill station up and running, you could surface, top off the tank and be back in the water within minutes.

Finally, I can say that the crew from Pro Ski & Scuba are an excellent group. It was a nice and relaxed atmosphere, and everyone there was ready to lend a hand at any time.

[1969ivan1]

Beaver Lake Alaska! What the heck was the water temp? I bet you froze in my home state of AK!

[Creed]

Aha! You caught a mistake! It was Beaver Lake, Arkansas!

[Nemrod]

If the can will rotate the diaphragm can slip, if the diaphragm slips (out) the regulator will flood. If the regulator floods you cannot breath.

The clamps, whatever type, MUST hold the can halves secure with NO rotation possible with normal forces.

Glad you had fun with it.

Nem

[Creed]

Yeah, I cranked the band clamp all the way, and the can still slipped. So, I think I have to crimp that clamp slightly to get it to grip.

[Bryan]

Is the diaphragm an original or reproduction? Did you use any type of lubricant on the edge of the diaphragm or in the channel on the cans?
The only time I have seen this happen is the combo of my 1st stainless clamps with original diaphragms that have been compressed and are very thin. Crimping the clamp slightly or using a reproduction diaphragm with the original thickness edge takes care of the problem. Grease on any of them can cause them to come apart. More than once I have seen the horns of a double hose used for handles when moving it around while attached to a cylinder
I would study this closely and make sure you have a permanent remedy for it. The Pacific ocean is not forgiving like the lakes in Arkansas..

[Creed]

It was a silicone reproduction diaphragm. Not sure of the age of the band clamp. No lubricant used on the reg that I am aware of. I'm going to work on it over the next few weeks. If I can't get it to stay with the band clamp, I can always use some C-clips on it. I expect to have it solved before Monterey, but if not, I'll ship it to you, Bryan, and use another reg for the dive.
I was the only one touching my gear, so I know that no one was yanking on the horns. And I didn't have any problems the first two dives, so it was like the can took a few dives to work loose.

[Bryan]

I'd like to see it up close and personal.... Send it to me and I'll check it out and insure that it cannot happen again without Bluto lifting it up by the horns...You will have it back in plenty of time to dive it in Monterey.

[Creed]

Will do. I haven't touched it since pulling the clamp off and trying to tighten it back up after the dive. I'll remove the extra hoses and have it on its way.

[JES]

... The Pacific ocean is not forgiving like the lakes in Arkansas..

Amen.

[Douchebag]

... The Pacific ocean is not forgiving like the lakes in Arkansas..

Amen.

Tru dat...I have a lot of experience in her and even I got jacked one time...on a beach I've dove hundreds of times! Luckily I knew enough to set myself straight...needless to say there was a yard sale on the beach a few minutes later, of ALL my gear!!!

[Creed]

The digital camera I was testing was slow and crappy, and the batteries died within minutes. It was so slow that I only got one shot of a fish. Definitely going to the kids to play with.

[JES]

... The Pacific ocean is not forgiving like the lakes in Arkansas..

Amen.

Tru dat...I have a lot of experience in her and even I got jacked one time...on a beach I've dove hundreds of times! Luckily I knew enough to set myself straight...needless to say there was a yard sale on the beach a few minutes later, of ALL my gear!!!

And I had an extremely close call one time while diving the Los Coronados Islands.

The Pacific can make a believer out of you at any moment.

[crimediver]

.... The Pacific can make a believer out of you at any moment.

I became a believer in the Graveyard of the Atlantic.

[Douchebag]

And I had an extremely close call one time while diving the Los Coronados Islands.

The Pacific can make a believer out of you at any moment.

Heck ya!! It's called Monastery/Mortuary Beach for a reason!