Old air hose habits I finally kicked after a nasty close call

For years I used to just coil my air hose up wet after a dive, thinking it saved time. Last summer off the coast of Galveston, I grabbed my regs for a 60 foot job and the o-rings were all dried out and cracked. I almost had a free-flow underwater that could have been real bad if I didn't catch it quick. Now I make sure to rinse everything with fresh water and hang the hose up to dry in the shop overnight. I even bought a dedicated hose rack from a dive supply place for like 40 bucks. My gear lasts way longer and I don't get that panicked feeling before a descent. Has anyone else switched up their post-dive routine after a close call?

2 comments

2 Comments

barbararamirez28d ago

Yeah that free flow possibility is scary. I started bagging my regs separate and drying everything inside after a similar scare with a frozen first stage on a cold water dive.

cole_mitchell828d ago

Man that "free flowing underwater" part hit close to home. I had a buddy named Jake from my old shop who always bragged about never rinsing his gear after salt dives. Dude swore it was a waste of time. Well one day on a 70 foot wreck dive off Pensacola, his second stage started free flowing like crazy. He had to abort the dive and shoot up faster than he wanted. Luckily he didn't get bent but it scared him bad. Now he's the guy with the most meticulous drying setup I've ever seen. He even color codes his hose hangers for fresh vs salt dives.