Haha your line of "If you're diving with a commercial dive operator, it's not really their job to fix your gear unless you're paying them specifically to fix your gear" reminded me of a recent incident where I was diving with a commercial dive operator and I mentioned that the corrugated BCD hose had come off during my last dive. His response "Err ok, what are you telling me for?" was quickly retracted when I informed him that it was a rental BCD and I wasn't asking him to fix my equipment but his own.
Hi James, I've been a recreational diver for 35 years, yet I am still learning new tips and tricks with your great you-tubes. Keep up the fantastic work - it's helping us all keep safe above and below the waterline.
THANKS YOU ! As an professional instructor and aqualung factory technician i always teach my student to have one of these. Just a little add on, actually you can use your cristo-lube everywere. It is the only allowed lube into a first /second stage due to the fact that silicon will be washed by water (especially with piston first stage) and the corrosion resistance for gas superior to 21%o2 for the orings. Expensive but you dont have to change it every 10/20 dives. Also in case of accident you want to have cristo-lube as insurance might decline claim due to due use of non recommended grease in the regulator.
Maxime Cheminade , all valid points! More detail than I was going to get into, as I aimed this video to newer divers. But great to add and thanks for watching!
I put a spare regulator mouthpiece, tank o-rings, mask strap, etc in a ziploc bag about 30 years ago. I check the rubber yearly to see if it has hardened, but the silicone must be keeping it flexible. Only the silicone grease has been used and replaced several several times.
Great tips. Thank you! To share one back - ditch the Phillips screwdriver and get on Amazon to buy yourself a JIS screwdriver instead. Phillips are designed to "cam out" when a gorilla in overalls tries to overtorque a screw, but this can work against is trying to undo a screw that is seized in. Where Phillips will likely leave you with a chewed up screw head, JIS with give you a much better chance to get it out cleanly. Just don't be that gorilla when re-tightening!
I bring a couple ft of surgical tubing (the kind they use to tie your arm up to get blood. You can order from Amazon). It can work as mask strap, fin strap, SMB tie down, octo holder, etc... And I bring also a ski strap with plastic buckle. Ski strap is like duct tape, can fix everything :)
James, after watching this video I started building my “Save a dive kit”. Yesterday wile diving after switching to my 2nd tank I had an air leak with my SPG. Fortunately I had a spare spool to put in my SPG which allowed me to “save my dive”. Thanks for the great video with all of the great equipment suggestions!
Really good advice. There's some stuff I hadn't even thought of, like the pressure checker. Plus I got to see your husky too! (I have two myself). Great video!
At 10:58 can you do a quick video how you have your octo secured? I’m not completely sure I like the octo hose pocket on my Aqualung Rogue bcd yet. Oh, love the fur babies.
Thank you for all the helpful info. That's definitely a good thing to have handy any time and be aware that stuff does break, usually when it's most inconvenient. We recently moved to Washington State but lived in Georgia before and could drive down to Florida pretty easily. We went on a snorkel trip ( that was before my certification) with amoray dive resort in key largo and it was amazing. I think I recognized some of the buildings in the background when the boat was going out the mangroves, lol. Hey thanks for taking us along for the dive, that is really cool. Nice video. Haha, your dog and cat are very cute. :D
Hi Janina! They are too cute and get into TOO much trouble, together and separately. The cat has a sister who also freeloads with us, but she moves too fast to be on camera! Washington State is on my bucket list after Jennifer Idol ('An American Diver') told me it was her most unexpectedly brilliant State to dive in. Very cool! Thanks again, James
Great ideas, love it. Anyone have any particular items that DMs or other dive professionals should add? I’ve got some extra paper for the students who forget their log books 😂
I know this is an old comment. But if your students don't have paper also have some pens for them branded with the dive centre you work for. A cheap idea for brand awareness.
Oh man, you're like my wife. Well used tote box, sticker still on the side of it. I think everything we own would still have a barcode or sticker on it if I didn't take them off.
I think I asked about this in another video, but can’t find it. I’m going to be doing my first charter boat dive in a couple of weeks ... any chance you could put together a video on what to expect on the boat? How to pack your gear, store your gear, don your gear, entry and exit tips, etc. ...
Dear James. I am just setting up my safe a dive kit. Since my equipment is rather new, I have not felt the need for it by now. So my question is about the O-rings. Does anything of appropriate size do the job or have them to be some special materials or some sort?
It depending on the type of gas you use. For air...you can order most o-ring kit made of silicon and you would be ok. But if you dive with Nitrox...you will need to use Viton ring(trademark name which is expensive) or the generic name for Viton which is FKM ring, generic name is a lot cheaper and it's the same material)
so , strange question, I have been living and diving in the East , and middle east Thailand , Indonesia , Oman etc. I was certified here and have never really dived the US. My kit is personalized for this region. Besides the obviousguage and computer switches Is there anything you recommend I might not consider ? I will be spending a month or two diving in and around the Caribbean and Mexico as well as Florida.
Good Save-Dive kit flick. Have to say though, your mate that did the step-out with the four tanks did not impress me with his skill. It did not appear he pre-inflated his BCD enough to stop him sinking as much as he did. Example of how to get a ruptured eardrum. It also appeared he lost control of gear after jumping in. Not a professional look.
Zipper wax? Can that also be used on wetsuits 😁? Just broke My zipper 😂 and perhaps that's reason why its broken since i never had been tought use zipper wax
Loving your videos, my new favourites since Alex pierce. A couple of questions, do you dive in contacts? If so do you remove straight after. And are you an ex pat? Would love rto see some videos on tech relational tips. Cheers.
Hi Mlambe77, I do dive in contacts but I leave them in all day. I wear dailies so it's not a big deal. I am an expat! I live in Miami now, originally from the UK. Glad you're enjoying our videos. Thanks for subscribing! James
Oh i so love having 50 ft of bungee somewhere. Need a mask strap? Bungee. Broke a fin spring(never happens) bungee. Argon strap missing? Bungee. Canister light mount? Bungee. Broken dreams and hurt feelings? Okay some things bungee cannot fix.
Haha your line of "If you're diving with a commercial dive operator, it's not really their job to fix your gear unless you're paying them specifically to fix your gear" reminded me of a recent incident where I was diving with a commercial dive operator and I mentioned that the corrugated BCD hose had come off during my last dive. His response "Err ok, what are you telling me for?" was quickly retracted when I informed him that it was a rental BCD and I wasn't asking him to fix my equipment but his own.
James! I've just embarked on my open water course and your videos have been such a great help! Thank for what you do, Love the videos.
Have been rewatching some videos and this is my first time seeing your cat. Would love to see more of him/her. :)
Oh snap! Loved your SAD kit but what really caught my eye was your DIY tank rack made of pool noodles and rope (around 8:12)! Niiiccce!
Built over buy is my motto! That tank rack cost me $4! Thanks for watching, Chris. James
instablaster...
Heading to Key Largo with my own gear for the 1st time after getting officially certified. Going down the rabbit hole of TH-cam.
Hi James, I've been a recreational diver for 35 years, yet I am still learning new tips and tricks with your great you-tubes. Keep up the fantastic work - it's helping us all keep safe above and below the waterline.
THANKS YOU ! As an professional instructor and aqualung factory technician i always teach my student to have one of these. Just a little add on, actually you can use your cristo-lube everywere. It is the only allowed lube into a first /second stage due to the fact that silicon will be washed by water (especially with piston first stage) and the corrosion resistance for gas superior to 21%o2 for the orings. Expensive but you dont have to change it every 10/20 dives. Also in case of accident you want to have cristo-lube as insurance might decline claim due to due use of non recommended grease in the regulator.
Maxime Cheminade , all valid points! More detail than I was going to get into, as I aimed this video to newer divers. But great to add and thanks for watching!
loving this channel keep up the videos. as a new diver its great seeing these tips and tricks
Thanks buddy!
Great advice. Better to have and not need than need and not have
Such a great video! I’ve just started diving and have been binge watching your videos -I’m learning so much. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for the support! Dive safe.
The glow stick is also useful for impromptu raves on the boat.
I put a spare regulator mouthpiece, tank o-rings, mask strap, etc in a ziploc bag about 30 years ago. I check the rubber yearly to see if it has hardened, but the silicone must be keeping it flexible. Only the silicone grease has been used and replaced several several times.
I also carry: CR2032 batteries, some silica gel packs, pencils, magic sponges...
Great tips. Thank you!
To share one back - ditch the Phillips screwdriver and get on Amazon to buy yourself a JIS screwdriver instead.
Phillips are designed to "cam out" when a gorilla in overalls tries to overtorque a screw, but this can work against is trying to undo a screw that is seized in. Where Phillips will likely leave you with a chewed up screw head, JIS with give you a much better chance to get it out cleanly.
Just don't be that gorilla when re-tightening!
I bring a couple ft of surgical tubing (the kind they use to tie your arm up to get blood. You can order from Amazon).
It can work as mask strap, fin strap, SMB tie down, octo holder, etc...
And I bring also a ski strap with plastic buckle. Ski strap is like duct tape, can fix everything :)
James, after watching this video I started building my “Save a dive kit”. Yesterday wile diving after switching to my 2nd tank I had an air leak with my SPG. Fortunately I had a spare spool to put in my SPG which allowed me to “save my dive”. Thanks for the great video with all of the great equipment suggestions!
James I noticed you had a sweet truck set up in the back... Mouthpiece Monday topic on setting up travel kit for us truck owners?
Thanks! Great idea, will add it to the list. Dive safe.
love the vids, got my open water a few month ago.
Really good advice. There's some stuff I hadn't even thought of, like the pressure checker. Plus I got to see your husky too! (I have two myself). Great video!
At 10:58 can you do a quick video how you have your octo secured? I’m not completely sure I like the octo hose pocket on my Aqualung Rogue bcd yet. Oh, love the fur babies.
Here you go: th-cam.com/video/pFxPYk1Zrr8/w-d-xo.html
I loved the reverse video - well done, looked good :)
Thank you for all the helpful info.
That's definitely a good thing to have handy any time and be aware that stuff does break, usually when it's most inconvenient.
We recently moved to Washington State but lived in Georgia before and could drive down to Florida pretty easily. We went on a snorkel trip ( that was before my certification) with amoray dive resort in key largo and it was amazing. I think I recognized some of the buildings in the background when the boat was going out the mangroves, lol.
Hey thanks for taking us along for the dive, that is really cool. Nice video.
Haha, your dog and cat are very cute. :D
Hi Janina! They are too cute and get into TOO much trouble, together and separately. The cat has a sister who also freeloads with us, but she moves too fast to be on camera! Washington State is on my bucket list after Jennifer Idol ('An American Diver') told me it was her most unexpectedly brilliant State to dive in. Very cool! Thanks again, James
Great info. I’m just building my own kit and def borrowing a lot off your experiences. Thanks.
Great ideas, love it. Anyone have any particular items that DMs or other dive professionals should add? I’ve got some extra paper for the students who forget their log books 😂
That's a great idea!
I know this is an old comment. But if your students don't have paper also have some pens for them branded with the dive centre you work for. A cheap idea for brand awareness.
For me in south east Asia sand fly/sea lice/jelly fish sting cream and baby shampoo as defogger is a must. Aloe gel for sun burnt skin in the fridge 😊
Oh man, you're like my wife. Well used tote box, sticker still on the side of it. I think everything we own would still have a barcode or sticker on it if I didn't take them off.
Twin Tank dude has perfect buyancy:) #love the video esp.the last bit where you guys dive! Keep the videos coming :)
Thanks I plan to make a box.
Any up dates since 3years ago?
More like this style of intro! Great content!
Yes. good video - there are not many who have done this - thank you .. for all your good tips
Would you take your tool box on the plane when you travel?
Thank you for the great kit
Thanks Saeed!
What size O-rings are necessary to have? I see O-ring packs with anywhere form 6-10+ sizes.
I just got my license and been looking at dive videos. Came across your channel. And I love you lol. Marry me hahaha
Yikes.
I think I asked about this in another video, but can’t find it. I’m going to be doing my first charter boat dive in a couple of weeks ... any chance you could put together a video on what to expect on the boat? How to pack your gear, store your gear, don your gear, entry and exit tips, etc. ...
Looking to put together a box. What size Allen wrenches would you recommend?
I love this channel, what watch are you wearing please?
This is a great idea !!
hello can recomend a save kit you cann take on a plane
Hi James, do you dive with contacts in? how do you find that?
Why tank checker over just using the spg attached to the regulator?
It's faster!
What's the use for the flathead and the philips screwdrivers?
Anti fog stuff for your mask and camera housing. Spit or toothpaste does not always work!
Going to Key Largo in 3 weeks. Would love to snorkel. Any suggestions to snorkel off the beach ?
"Needless to say, I don't use them to retain my snorkel" -- sorry but why would those double-O ring rubber bands not be suitable for that?
Jeez I’m in Indiana, murky waters, I want to go to Bahamas :((((( lol
Dear James. I am just setting up my safe a dive kit. Since my equipment is rather new, I have not felt the need for it by now.
So my question is about the O-rings. Does anything of appropriate size do the job or have them to be some special materials or some sort?
It depending on the type of gas you use. For air...you can order most o-ring kit made of silicon and you would be ok.
But if you dive with Nitrox...you will need to use Viton ring(trademark name which is expensive) or the generic name for Viton which is FKM ring, generic name is a lot cheaper and it's the same material)
Hi! In this video you said you were going to make a scuba hack video. Have you made it cause I can’t find it. :)
Hi Missy, thanks for watching and for keeping me honest! I did say that and I am still going to make it... it's on the list! Soon - I promise! James
Nice
so , strange question, I have been living and diving in the East , and middle east Thailand , Indonesia , Oman etc. I was certified here and have never really dived the US. My kit is personalized for this region. Besides the obviousguage and computer switches Is there anything you recommend I might not consider ? I will be spending a month or two diving in and around the Caribbean and Mexico as well as Florida.
Good Save-Dive kit flick.
Have to say though, your mate that did the step-out with the four tanks did not impress me with his skill. It did not appear he pre-inflated his BCD enough to stop him sinking as much as he did. Example of how to get a ruptured eardrum. It also appeared he lost control of gear after jumping in. Not a professional look.
Zipper wax?
Can that also be used on wetsuits 😁?
Just broke My zipper 😂 and perhaps that's reason why its broken since i never had been tought use zipper wax
maybe on semi-dry one ;-)
Spare mask in your bcd pocket
how did those zipties just spread themselves out that evenly
Do you have affiliate links for this stuff? Would love for you to get credit
Seriously though, you should put some links so you can get credit, haha
Where do you get that black bungee cord? Is It’s only available online?
Any old hardware store. You can usually find rolls with 10-20m or what not.
Loving your videos, my new favourites since Alex pierce. A couple of questions, do you dive in contacts? If so do you remove straight after. And are you an ex pat? Would love rto see some videos on tech relational tips. Cheers.
Hi Mlambe77, I do dive in contacts but I leave them in all day. I wear dailies so it's not a big deal. I am an expat! I live in Miami now, originally from the UK. Glad you're enjoying our videos. Thanks for subscribing! James
Oh i so love having 50 ft of bungee somewhere. Need a mask strap? Bungee. Broke a fin spring(never happens) bungee. Argon strap missing? Bungee. Canister light mount? Bungee. Broken dreams and hurt feelings? Okay some things bungee cannot fix.
Broken dreams and hurt feelings, that's where the duct tape comes in.
Oh, So you haf to create your own save a dive kit.
Nitrox mix air tester. Never trust anyone else's