bye bye england

simon varley

we're jacking it all in in March and moving to Melbourne due to a job offer I just can't refuse, but I'm after a bit of info about the diving there. I've spoken with a couple of guys on VicTec, but I just wanted to cover all bases, so I'm posting here and on YD too.

I understand there's a few RBs being dived in the Melbourne area, but I need to know a bit more about consumables etc. I get a 40' container, so I mught stock up on lime to take with me if it's hard to get locally - any ideas? Also, I believe I need to change the valves, but my UK cylinders might be okay - can someone confirm this. Is it easier just to sell and buy new in Oz? Is there a waiting time for inspiration cylinders in Oz?

Finally, can anyone shed some light on good places to stay? I'm going to be based in Geelong, so we're thinking maybe of living somewhere near Torquay

denzel

Simon, you lucky b@stard!
God I'm green.
As for your questions, there is a pretty active breather scene there, with gatherings for diving, pub and pizza.
As for sorb, it's available, but no nuffin about the price.
The tanks, that's a snakepit. I never had any problems getting OS tanks tested and therefore approved and usuable, but that was in Cairns, QLD.
But it seems that virtually everyone else has problems with them....
A possibility would be to contact bazza at southern cross divers in Sydney,
or ofcourse DIVEDIVEDIVE (D3) in Brisbane. They do quite a lot with inspo's and should be able to help you either "clear" your tanks or source replacements.
Enjoy living in Australia!

denz.

__________________

jdz

Hi Simon,

Don't sweat too much, Oz is the land of milk and honey....

If weight is not a prob (since you are loading a container..) bring your cylinders with you.. In the event that you need cyls to comply there is always help.

Wrt sorb, plenty of that too...

And, yes, the diving is awesome also...

Give us a Hoi when you arrive...

All along the "west coast" would be great to live. Around the Torquay area would take you between 20-30mins to drive to work. Most of the way will be 80-100 k/h.

Cheers, JDZ

Scuttle

G'day Simon,
Torquay is a top spot to live on the coast (35 years here) , I think you shall enjoy being only ten minutes away from diving the Ships Graveyard or a easy twenty to get to work at Fords in Geelong.
Don't worry too much about your rebreather reqirements , it's all available once you get here through a great network of divers.
To wet your desires, you might like to have a look at the wrecks we dive by checking out my website.
http://www.scuttlebuttscuba.com.au/wrecksitestable.html
I will look forward to welcome you onboard.
Jeff

Rich Sawkins

What is the country coming to, are they any English left in England ? I've been here 4 years nearly, won't be returning to the UK for anything other than brief visits.....

www.diveoz.com.au is another place you should take a look since you are heading this way.

The AU standards for cylinders are based on some BS standard, but not a recent one.... bring them out as it is usually possible to do something with them.

Cheers
Rich

Jason Blackwell

Hi Simon,

I too think you will like Melbourne, esp it you are coming from the UK.

RE the inspiration 3L cylinders.....I am going to disagree with the others here. IF they are newish cylinders with BS5045/7 stamping I would suggest leaving them behind. If they have BS5045/1 stamping it may be a little easier.

The reason being that the UK cylinders have a 25mm neck thread, and the valves do not have a "burst disc" fitted.

All of the Australian dive cylinders have 3/4 npsm neck threads AND the valves have a burst disc fitted.

IF your UK cylinders did pass they would still need to have the burst disc machined into them.

What would I do?

Sell ALL your UK cylinders , and purchase some new valves for your 3L "Inspiration" cylinders from Ambient Pressure (Australian spec) and purchase new cylinders when you get here.

AP part numbers for the Aust valves are:

DIL RB13B
O2 RB13C

Or alternatively we usually carry the valves for the "Inspiration" in stock as well as a couple of 3L cylinders. (actually I don't have any valves this week they are with my Evo on there way!!!!)

sorb well it is up to you, it is availabe locally as the Aust distributor is in Melbourne.

Any more questions, just ask. Sorry I am not in Melbourne though

__________________
Jason Blackwell
TDI Instructor Trainer #1358
Optima...Inspiration/Evolution...KISS...and what is next???
www.divedivedive.com.au
OZTeK '09 March 2009 Sydney, Australia www.diveoztek.com.au