A quick heads-up on checking your bailout bottle O-rings before every dive

I've been on a lot of jobs lately where I see divers just doing a quick visual check on their bailout O-rings, or not checking them at all. Last week on a bridge job in Mobile, a diver on my team had a slow leak from his bailout manifold because a tiny piece of grit was stuck on the primary O-ring. We caught it topside, but it was a close call. That seal is your literal lifeline if your main gas fails, and a visual check isn't enough. You need to pop the bottle off, wipe the seat clean with your thumb, and feel the O-ring for any nicks or flat spots. I learned this the hard way three years ago when I had a free-flow at 90 feet and my bailout valve stuck for a second because of a bad seal. Has anyone else switched to a specific routine or tool for checking these that works better than just a visual?

3 comments

3 Comments

perez.derek25d ago

What about adding a drop of silicone grease after you clean it? I started doing that because a dry o-ring can feel fine topside but still leak under pressure. It takes two seconds and gives me way more peace of mind.

bennett.riley25d ago

Saw a forum post saying grease attracts dust though.

nathana4817d ago

Oh man, that makes total sense.