How To Set Up & Assemble SCUBA Gear
Candace Reno August 5th, 2024 Posted In: Articles, How-To Tags: SCUBA
SCUBA diving equipment can be a little overwhelming at first. There seems like a lot of gear to go diving. How do you set up and assemble SCUBA gear? Here, we will run through set up of a basic SCUBA unit.
There are different types of gear out there so be sure you understand how your own gear works. Set up and assemble your SCUBA gear prior to putting on any exposure protection, skin suit, SCUBA diving wetsuit, or drysuit, in order to prevent overheating.
Types Of SCUBA Gear
You will need the following to start setting up SCUBA gear: tank, buoyancy control device (BCD), and regulator set. The regulator set has at minimum a first stage, one regulator attached as a second stage, a low pressure inflator hose, and an air pressure reader (could be a high pressure hose or a bluetooth connection to your dive computer). Some models also have an alternate regulator attached to the first stage.
How to Set Up SCUBA Equipment and Assemble Gear
The right SCUBA gear can make or break your dive experience. Read on below to discover how to set up SCUBA gear and assemble, as well as disassemble it!
Setting Up Your SCUBA Tank
First, grab your SCUBA tank. Check the tank for some markings. You want your tank to be within all testing dates. The hydrostatic test date will be stamped into the tank neck. The visual inspection date will be on a sticker.
Also check that your tank has a good o-ring that is not worn. There will be a dust cap on the tank valve that should be removed to expose the o-ring. As an industry standard, a tank with a dust cap on is full, and a tank with a dust cap off is empty.
How to Set Up Dive Gear: BCD
Next, grab your BCD. Every BCD is a little different in terms of what kind of straps there are. Each BCD does have a little strap that goes on the tank neck to help secure the tank in case it slips. Slide the BCD straps over the tank or wrap them around the tank, depending on your model. Hold the BCD up so that when you tighten the straps the top of the BCD neck is at the same level as the top of the tank.
Tighten the BCD straps strongly onto the tank. You can get the BCD straps wet for a tighter fit. You want the BCD in line correctly with the tank with the open part of the tank valve facing what would be the back of your neck with the gear on. For example, if your tank in front of you has the black tank knob to your right, then the BCD should be in front of the tank.
Set Up the Regulator Set
After the BCD is on, grab your regulator set. The first stage piece has a dust cap in place. Simply unscrew the knob and the dust cap will slip out. This dust cap is very important when your gear is out of the water. So make sure you replace this dust cap immediately after diving when you disassemble your SCUBA gear.
Place the first stage over the tank valve and match the pieces together. In the above example, your black tank knob was to your right. That means the black knob of the first stage should be towards your belly. At this point the regulator(s) will be on your right side (or the right side of the BCD when it is worn). The low pressure inflator hose and submersible pressure gauge (SPG; air hose) will be to your left.
Screw the first stage on so it is only finger tight. Any tighter and it will be very hard to take off the first stage at the end of your dive. Next, take the low pressure inflator hose from the first stage and attach it to the low pressure inflator hose on your BCD. Next secure all the loose parts such as an alternate secondary stage (regulator) and the SPG. The SPG might also have extra items such as a depth gauge, compass, and/or dive computer attached within the boot.
Turn on the Air
After assembling your SCUBA gear, you are ready to turn the air on. The high pressure hose has a small chance of breaking so make sure you take the SPG and turn it toward your tank to protect yourself. Turn the tank valve knob slowly counterclockwise. This slow turn allows you to quickly correct any o-ring problems should there be any.
Once you are sure it is ok, turn the knob all the way on until it stops turning. Some people like to turn the knob back a quarter turn, but this is not necessary. Sometimes people get confused and only turn the tank on a quarter way which can be dangerous during a dive as the water pressure could potentially turn the tank off!
Test The SCUBA Diving Equipment
With the air on, test your gear to make sure it works before getting in the water. Purge and breathe off of all your regulators. Test the BCD buttons, inflate and deflate, to make sure they work. Check your air pressure to ensure the tank is full. Once everything is set, you are ready to go diving! Feel free to leave the air tank on. The air won’t leak out as you are waiting to hit the water.
Disassembling SCUBA Gear
Once you are out of the water, the first thing you do to disassemble SCUBA gear is turn the air off. There will still be air in the hoses so make sure you purge at least one regulator to remove this air. Detach the low pressure inflator hose and the pieces of gear attached to your BCD. Remove the first stage from the tank and replace that dust cap to protect the gear. Take the BCD off and lay your tank down.
Final Thoughts on How to Set Up SCUBA Equipment
That’s it! The set up and assembly of SCUBA gear can be overwhelming at first, but once you do it a few times, you will remember how to do it. Repetition is key!
