How to Set up Scuba Gear?

How to set up scuba gear? – The first-ever question asked by new divers.

If you are a new diver, having scuba gear is the final say that you are enthusiastic about diving.

Here we are going to share important advice, and guidelines- how to set up scuba gear, and how to prepare it. You will know the benefits of using it, making you equipped in no time.

But before going forward, let us know the parts of the scuba gear and its uses.

Scuba Gear – Parts and its Uses

  1. Mask & Snorkel:
  2. Masks are very crucial in the sense that it keeps the eyes from feeling irritated and protected from water.
    The snorkel serves as the breathing apparatus when you are on the surface of the water without using the air tank.

  3. Dive Booties and Fins:
  4. Diving fins are significant to a diver, it helps a diver to go forward to the direction a diver wants to go, it navigates against breezes, and current.
    Dive booties are made with neoprene materials covered with fins for a tight fit.

  5. Wetsuit:
  6. A wetsuit is for conserving body heat temperature underwater and act as an insulator.

  7. Buoyancy Compensator or Buoyancy Control Device (BCD):
  8. BCD or Buoyancy Compensator is a waistcoat to which the tank is attached and carried by a diver.

  9. Weight Belt:
  10. Serve as a BCD pouch.
    The amount of weight needed varies from person’s lightness.

  11. Regulator:
  12. It reduces the force of the oxygen stored in the tank from 3,000 psi to a more secure level and breathable 140 psi.

  13. Alternate air source:
  14. Your alternative air regulator used in the case of the first regulator fails or any circumstances like sharing air with your dive buddy if running out of oxygen may occur.

  15. Pressure Gauge:

This gauge commonly completed with a base gauge on the same console. Normally, a compass and dive computer can be an additional device.

Essential Steps of How to Set up Scuba Gear

After Setting up your scuba gear imposes special awareness and care to avoid gear problems during the dive.

To guide you, here are the steps of fixing up your scuba gear:

Connecting Your Tank to the Buoyancy Compensator or Buoyancy Control Device (BCD) – First, check the cylinder, if it has a yoke valve, and inspects the valve’s O-ring if there is any damage, or if it is missing, you should replace it.

Steps to follow:

  • Sit the cylinder in an upright stand with the valve knob set to your right side.
  • When wet, the tank strap is commonly expanding so, soaking the strap in water will prevent it from untying during the dive.
  • Make sure the BCD’s tank strap is above the cylinder, and fasten the cylinder, until the valve knob facing the BCD’s right side.
  • Be sure the strap is suitably twisted, through the belt, and lock the buckle. Tighten the strap to secure.
  • Get the BCD by taking its shoulder straps, ensure that the cylinder is surely fastened, and does not fall.

Attaching the regulator to the cylinder valve.

Eliminate the dust cap by unfastening the yoke screw.

Put the first stage filter above the cylinder valve. The first filter must be placed against the valve’s O-ring, and the second stage hoses should be on the same side as the valve knob.

Contract the yoke screw against the valve.

The screw should only be tightened with a finger. Don’t worry if the first stage twists around the valve. When open, it compresses normally.

Attach the low-pressure hose to the power inflator’s air inlet.

If you have a DIN valve, the method is similar, with the exception that the first stage screwed into the cylinder valve.

Attach the gauge and be sure to points directly to the ground.

If there’s an air leak inside, it could spell the gauge’s cover to burst, by keeping the gauge facing down, it prevents the danger that happens.

Then, gently set the valve knob counter-clockwise to loosen the valve, until it’s fully open.

For those drivers who are new on setting up scuba gear, you don’t need to worry. It may seem difficult at first, however, this guide will guide on how to do it.

How to Set up Scuba Gear: Checking the Scuba Gear for your Safety

After setting up, you should examine your scuba gear for your safety. Listed here the essential tips on how to examine your scuba gear.
Inspecting your gear after taking it underwater

Inspect thoroughly if the valve knob is unlocked.

Try to detect if there’s a leak near the valve. You can hear whistling sounds that imply a broken valve.

Check the submersible pressure meter to confirm the cylinder is full.

Be sure to lock the gauge, preventing the oxygen to release for your safety.

Be sure to try if the air has unpleasant smell or oily taste.

If you sense that there is an unusual taste or smell, the air is infected, which is very risky to your health. Inform the shop owner of what you’ve observed.

Consider if the power inflator is properly working.

The inflator should functions properly (inflates and deflates) to ensure the valves will discharge the extra pressure.

The Scuba Gear must be kept rightly.

Secure your scuba gear in a safe place to avoid damage, and for your safety as well.

The cylinder should be in an upright position. Commonly, many dive boats have built-in sections for Cylinder keeping.

Conclusion:

Taking care of your scuba gear is very vital, as it relies on your safety, as well. When keeping it, avoid putting it on the sand, it may cause malfunctioning. Use a soft towel or any soft materials that can protect it from the sand.

Scuba gear is man’s best friend, underwater. Man can dive underworld through the scuba gear and allows you to discover the beauty of the underwater life.

How to set up scuba gear, is something tricky or hard but, over time you can handle it easily