Quote: (Originally Posted by
Ant Slegg)
I am concerned that although the cylinders I own now have a test stamp (valid until 2012!) I will have difficulty getting the cylinders filled especially in the UK.
What surprised me (in talking to people in England) is that the annual inspection for O2 service and O2 cleanliness is not mandatory but is down to "custom and practice".
Yep, but it is a VERY strong practice in the UK. Many shops would probably argue that it is actually law, it is that strong a practice.
Quote:
What I am interested in knowing is:
1) Has anyone got experience of getting cylinders filled (by commercial dove shops) that lack that all important official looking sticker?
There will not be many in the UK that will fill them for you. I don't know of any that will, but I only know of the ones that I use.
Quote:
2) Has anyone got any experience of O2 cleaning cylinders/valves etc. themselves? (will a dive shop accept a home made sticker?)
Due to the strength of desire to have the tanks O2 cleaned, you have as much hope of getting away with a home made sticker as you have of no sticker.
Those who don't want to clean annually, or clean themselves, normally fill themselves too.
I currently have a deco tank out of test, but as I fill myself at my dive club, I do it at my own risk. If I wanted to get that cylinder filled at a shop, I would need to get it O2 cleaned by a qualified technician and have a proper sticker saying so.
HTH.
.