Let it Dangle and it May Tangle…

Recently, the national service center for Suunto dive instruments received two Cobra dive computer/consoles in for service. Both came from dive instructors in Hawaii; one from Kauai and the other from the Kona coast of the big island.

One of the two consoles needed little more than battery replacement; the other was totally ruined. Its face was scratched beyond recognition. The compass had been shattered and, according to the letter that accompanied the console, not only did the computer fail to operate, the console itself leaked air at a prodigious rate.

Both consoles were about the same age and had received roughly the same amount of use. Why, then, was one in nearly “as new” condition when the other represented what was, effectively, an $800+ loss? The answer is that, where the undamaged console had been properly secured to its owner’s BC, the other had been allowed to dangle freely and made frequent contact with the bottom.

The Peril of the “Danglies”

Consoles and alternate air source second stages that are allowed to dangle freely pose a danger to the environment, their owners and other divers.

• Every time an unsecured second stage or console slams into the bottom, it can damage fragile coral formations and other aquatic life.
• Constant contact with the bottom can easily damage equipment. Alternate second stages can become filled with sand, mud or other unpleasant materials, or just plain break. And, as you have seen, expensive computer consoles can become utterly destroyed.
• Unsecured equipment can be difficult to find when you (or a buddy) needs it most.

Imagine a diver who runs out of air because he could not easily locate his console and thus did not regularly monitor his air supply. Upon bottoming out his tank, he swims furiously to his buddy and gives the “out of air” signal. The buddy hunts for several anxious seconds to find his alternate second stage — only to discover it is damaged and clogged with mud, due to constant contact with the bottom.

The bottom line is, alternate second stages and instrument consoles should never be allowed to dangle, and should be secured to your BC harness with the proper retaining hardware.

Getting it Under Control

Octopus Control: The member organizations of the Recreational Scuba Training Council (RSTC) recommend that alternate-air-source second stages be plainly visible and mounted securely in the triangular region between the diver’s mouth and the lower corners of his or her rib cage. Just Add Water sells a wide variety of devices for doing just that.

When shopping for such a device, bring your regulator along so that you can make certain the octopus holder you are buying fits your alternate-air-source second stage’s mouthpiece. It should be easy to use, hold the second stage securely and release the second stage, when needed, with a firm tug.

Console Control: Nearly all new consoles come with multiple attachment points to which you can install a variety of attachment hardware. These range from simple clips to high-tech retractors.

Solve Problems; Don’t Create New Ones: The best place to attach such hardware is to a D-ring mounted directly on your BC. One thing you will want to avoid, however, is clipping off to the D-rings found at the end of your BC’s shoulder adjustment strap, as this does little to decrease the amount of dangle.

What should you do if your old BC lacks shoulder-mounted or other D-rings designed specifically for clipping off consoles and second stages? Or if your console lacks attachment points for installing clips or other hardware? These are signs that it may be time to replace your out-of-date equipment with more modern gear that is both safer and more environmentally friendly.

If we can answer further questions concerning getting your dangling equipment under control, don’t hesitate to call or visit us.

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