Richard Daniel's Big Bug

Vis is good depending on the wind, so let's go diving!

Additional info at: www.scubatampa.com/faqsgdive.html

See:  www.scubatampa.com/calendar.html
and www.scubatampa.com/classes.html for additional information.

Former students may go diving on training days for tune-ups and fun ($30.00 per person)

Coming in June Cozumel Mexico.

I was going to write a report on our trip to the keys but a picture is worth a thousand words, and this letter from one of our participants says it all. Additional photos at http://www.scubatampa.com/photo3.html

Photos at http://www.scubatampa.com/photo3.html

Gear Maintenance and Annual Service! The official dive season begins in May, usually the busiest month in this state for the dive industry. With that in mind it is now time to get your dive gear in shape for the season. Get your gear into the shop now and avoid delays caused by a busy May.

Regulators and BCDs should be annually serviced to maintain their warranty. Remember that dive gear is life support equipment and that it should be treated as such.

Proper cleaning after use is important in maintaining your gear. Here are a few tips.

Rinse the bladder of the BCD with two cups of warm soapy water after exposure to salt water. Better yet, use fabric softener in place of soap, it is pretty close to the same formula as Salt-X and cuts salt better than soap. Blow up the BCD and swoosh the solution around good. Hang the BCD upside down so the cleaning solution will soak the power inflator valve. Leave it overnight. Drain the cleaning solution, rinse with fresh water, slightly inflate and store. Once in a while use a diluted bleach to clean the inner bladder of mildew. Check the power inflator often, make sure the power button does not stick to avoid runaway inflation. Clean or replace as necessary.

Regulators should be cleaned with fresh soapy water after all dives. DO NOT SUBMERGE the first stage, the dust cover CAN NOT prevent water from getting into the first stage. Second stages and consoles can be soaked. NEVER press the purge button of the second stage while washing or rinsing... water can get into the hoses and into the first stage. If you are unable to clean your gear, keep a bottle of Windex in your gear bag and spray down your gear with it. Don't forget to clean the low pressure hose, the valve inside can corrode and cause the BCD to slowly fill. Listen to the power inflator before you dive to check for leaks.

Take an equipment maintenance course. Maintain your gear. Have it serviced annually

Luxfer announces trade-in program for 6351-alloy scuba tanks in the United States.

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (December 9, 2002)—Luxfer Gas Cylindershas announced a new scuba tank trade-in program to enable owners of older Luxfer scuba tanks manufactured in the U.S. from 6351 aluminum alloy to trade in their tanks and receive credit toward the purchase of new scuba tanks made from Luxfer’s proven, proprietary 6061 alloy. Luxfer will implement the simple four-step program outlined below on January 1, 2003. The program will end on December 31, 2003. This is a limited one-year offer!

1. To determine whether your Luxfer scuba tank is made from 6351 aluminum alloy, check the original hydrostatic test date (the earliest date) stamped on the crown. (Look for a month/year combination, such as 3/75.) If the stamped year is 1972 through 1987, the tank is made from 6351 alloy. A limited number of Luxfer scuba tanks were also made from 6351 alloy during the first half of 1988. If you have a 1988 tank with an original hydrostatic test date of 6/88 or earlier, Luxfer will assume that it is a 6351-alloy tank and issue an RG number. Tanks with an original hydrostatic test date of 7/88 or later are made from 6061 alloy and are not eligible for the trade-in program.
   
2. Call the Luxfer Customer Service Department toll-free (1-800-764-0366) and report the number of 6351-alloy tanks to be exchanged. A Luxfer customer service representative will ask you for the model number, serial number and original hydrostatic test date for each tank, as well as your return mailing information. The representative will then issue you a returned goods (RG) authorization number and tell you how to ship tanks to Luxfer in order to receive a special $50 credit voucher for each tank.
   
3. Send your 6351-alloy scuba tanks directly to Luxfer’s plants in Graham, North Carolina, or Riverside, California (whichever is closest).
   
4. Luxfer will mail you a $50 voucher for each tank. You may redeem these vouchers toward the purchase of new Luxfer 6061-alloy scuba tanks at any participating dive shop or retail store.

Remember, this limited program will only be available during 2003—so don’t delay!

Sexy Calculator ~ Check out: http://www.com3designs.com/swf/funcalc.swf

Jeff's Storm Page ~ Local weather for boaters/divers by Jeff Bardelli Channel 10. Check it out at:
http://web.tampabay.rr.com/stormyweather/index.html

America's Arsenal ~ This is awesome, America's top weapons. http://wire.ap.org/APpackages/weapons_flash/

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Previous Newsletters ~ Last month's newsletter go to: March 2003 Newsletter.

Captain John Russell

813-966-6525 Cell Phone 24/7

scubatampa@earthlink.net