STARS Open Water Diver Manual

Index

Orientation
Transform into a Fish on Your Holidays
Certificate of Fitness for Diving
Certification Card (C-Card)
 
Dive Equipment
Mask
Snorkel
Fins
Gloves/Boots
Diving suits
Weights
Tank
Regulator
Backup Scuba
BC
Gauge
Other Equipment 1
Other Equipment 2
Other Equipment 3
Equipment Setup
Equipment Maintenance
 
Underwater Environment
Topography and Artificial Structures 1
Topography and Artificial Structures 2
Ocean Conditions 1
Ocean Conditions 2
Poisonous Sea Life 1
Poisonous Sea Life 2
Aggressive Sea Life
 
Underwater Physiology
Light and Color
Sound
Drag/Buoyancy
Heat Absorption
Air Composition
Breathing and Circulation Mechanism
Diver Breathing /Air Consumption
Pressure
Pressure and Gas Volume
Lung Over-expansion Injury
Air Embolism
Gas Poisoning
Hyperventilation
Skip Breathing
Decompression Sickness (DCS)
The Human Body’s Air Spaces
Squeeze and Equalization
Specific Squeeze Types
Reverse Block and Equalization
Specific Body Air Cavities and Reverse Block
 
Plan and Rules
Diving Site Selection
Leader and Member
Buddy System
Equipment
Health Maintenance
Refresher Course
Cancellation and Modification
Emergency Plan
Communication
Air Consumption Ratio
Dive Table
Change of the internal nitrogen quantity
Comparison of the internal nitrogen quantity
Constitution of the Dive Table
No-decompression Dive Limit
Residual Group
Surfacing Time
Nitrogen Disappearance Time
Surface Interval Time
No-decompression Dive Limit for the second diving
Residual Nitrogen Time
Residual Group for the second diving
Decompression Stop
Safety Stop
Time Until Safe To Fly
Other attention
Work Sheet
Making a Dive Plan
Multi-Level Diving
Manners
 
Diving Skills
Donning Snorkel Set
Snorkel Clear
Fin Work
Donning the Weight Belt
Head First
Equipment Setup
Entry
Descent
Regulator Clear
Mask Clear
Regulator Recovery
Buoyancy Control
BC Donning and Removal
Weight Belt Donning and Removal
Equipment Release
Dealing with Emergencies 1
Dealing with Emergencies 2
Dealing with Emergencies 3


Tanks


In order to breathe air underwater, we compress air at high pressure inside a tank. Made of either aluminium or steel, in Japan all tanks require a hydrostatic (pressure-resistance) test every 3 years (for aluminium) or 5 years (for steel), based on the original manufacturing date.

Air is filled and used by way of a valve. The standard valve is now the K valve, but the J valve with a reserve lever is also used, if rarely, nowadays. When the air pressure in a tank using a J valve drops to below anywhere from 20-40 bar, the valve begins to close, increasing breathing resistance and one must manually pull a lever to restore air flow.
But with the widespread use of pressure gauges, the J valve is becoming an uncommon sight in diving.



Tanks have rounded bottoms, so tank boots are used. In Japan, SCUBA tanks must be the colour grey by regulation. This colour varies internationally.

To prevent corrosion from moisture entering the tank, it is important to leave a reserve of 30 bar or so in your tank.To prevent any accidents, it is best to lay tanks flat in a cool area when not in use.

Steel tanks are heavier than aluminium tanks, so it is important to adjust your weights according to the type of tank used.




Because tanks left in hot sun are an explosion risk, please place in the shade.
Cover with towels or sheets.
Do not leave tanks exposed in the sun.




BACK  NEXT

© net-diver school.2006.All rights reserved