1. How to Set Up Scuba Gear
Most scuba divers, after being away from the sport for a while, find it useful to check on their scuba gear and set it up
before joining a group for a short dive. Setting up scuba gear and equipment makes sure your scuba gear is inspected to
be in working condition and you are ready to get in the water. In this article, we will learn how to set up scuba gear.
The first step of setting up your scuba gear is to make the tank straps of your BCD wet in order that it can be stretched out
to tighten around your tank. Slide the tank straps over the tank and place the opening of the tank’s valve in the direction
towards the opening of the BCD jacket. Place the tank straps in such a way that the tank valve is at the same height as
the top of the BCD in order to avoid hitting the back of your head. Tighten the tank straps around the tank and fasten them
by snapping them close. You should ensure that the tank straps are not crooked before snapping the buckle close when
setting up the scuba gear.
Put in order the position of the hoses on your regulator setup. Hold the first stage so that the knob is pointing in the
opposite direction from you. The regulator along with the Octo should be situated on your left side and the low-pressure
hose along with the computer gauge should be located on your right side.
Next, continue setting up the scuba gear by undoing the screw on the first stage and taking off the dust cap from the filter.
Slide the first stage onto the tank valve in such a manner that the filter and the tank opening are aligned. Gently tighten
the screw in order to fix the first stage to the tank firmly. Make sure you do not over-tighten the screw. Place the low-
pressure hose into your BCS’s low-inflator valve and snap the connector shut. Tuck the hose into the guides on the side
and attach the velcro keeper. Connect the computer gauge to its hose retainer and tuck the alternate air source into its
Octo keeper or the hose clip.
Hold the computer gauge facing downward and gently turn the tank knob counter-clockwise in order to turn on the
airflow. If you hear or sense an air leak, turn off the air, depressurize the hoses by pressing down the purge button on the
regulator and relocate the first stage on the tank valve. The diver must repeat the process until minimum or no air leaks
are detected.
The next step of setting up the scuba gear is to turn the tank knob completely open, then turn it clockwise by a quarter
turn. Check with your computer gauge for air pressure. Make sure that your low-inflator hose, regulator and Octo are
working properly. Turn off the air just before diving into the water. Slowly lower the tank as well as the BCD to the ground
or place it on a solid bench with the BCD facing upward. This is how one can set up their scuba gear before a dive.
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