Bubble check when diving solo and a VR3 ;)

Pierre Farrugia · 18th November 2005, 21:26

Hello all,

Some do everything to get some green.......

. Lately I have found a new feature for my VR3, using it for a bubble check and if I hear something strang I use it, how? Get it close to your mask and use it as a mirror and works a dream! While diving with open circuit divers if I have a leak they will tell me and then I have to imagine from where and cannot actually know how severe! Now I can just have a look! What you think? Have you tried this out ?

eanxdiver · 18th November 2005, 22:02

Thanks for the suggestion. I too use this occasionally, find it helpful at times, but be aware it is dependent on ambient light conditions.

decoweenie · 19th November 2005, 04:15

Pierre,

I always advocate that divers should carry a mirror for both purpose:

emergency surface signalling
u/w check of own equipment

Even when diving with buddy, I still would like to check things out myself when I can. Even on OC, and someone tells me that there are bubbles from one reg, I would still check with a mirror to know exactly where the leak source is so I could fix it later - buddy tend to forget which hose/etc.

On Rebreather, you will have OC buddies sometimes who are not familiar with your rig. So it is best to be able to check yourself when seeing/feeling small leaks.

It is good for your buddy also. One particular time when my buddy refused to understand that his drysuit inflator is leaking, I simply shone the mirror for him to see.

If you use a Wet-Note system, simply tie a piece of cave line to the mirrow from the WN, slip it inside the WN and it will always be there.

divetheworld · 19th November 2005, 11:36

Quote: (Originally Posted by decoweenie)

Pierre,

I always advocate that divers should carry a mirror for both purpose:

emergency surface signalling
u/w check of own equipment

Even when diving with buddy, I still would like to check things out myself when I can. Even on OC, and someone tells me that there are bubbles from one reg, I would still check with a mirror to know exactly where the leak source is so I could fix it later - buddy tend to forget which hose/etc.

On Rebreather, you will have OC buddies sometimes who are not familiar with your rig. So it is best to be able to check yourself when seeing/feeling small leaks.

It is good for your buddy also. One particular time when my buddy refused to understand that his drysuit inflator is leaking, I simply shone the mirror for him to see.

If you use a Wet-Note system, simply tie a piece of cave line to the mirrow from the WN, slip it inside the WN and it will always be there.

I have to agree. Please eveyone be warned, do not nick the bedroom mirror. I tried that and the wife was not very happy, its also hard to fit in a thigh pocket.

***caveseeker7*** · 19th November 2005, 12:16

Did you just get married or did you just start diving?
Next time take the little one from her purse.

decoweenie · 19th November 2005, 12:31

The best mirror I found for checking is actually not an actual flat mirror, but a cheap concave circular "mirror" bought in automotive section of the grocery store.

It is usually mount on the side-view mirror to show the blind spot. It is plastic with a shiny coating so no worries about rust/etc even in saltwater. I have used mine for a long time...

Since it is concave, it show the "big picture" and easier to spot things u/w quickly when you see the whole body/face of the diver for reference.

However, do remember that this type of concave mirror does not perfect signalling mirror for surface emergency since it is hard to focus and re-deflect the light source to a target.

narked at 90 · 19th November 2005, 15:01

i use a little curved mirror on the back of my mits, got it from a car shop...you know the little mirrors you stick on your wing mirror of the car, works great, i use it for bubble checks and finding the hidden buddy when they are above and behind......oh and snot checks after the dive

kind regards john routley

cedricverdier · 21st November 2005, 07:23

Quote: (Originally Posted by decoweenie)

The best mirror I found for checking is actually not an actual flat mirror, but a cheap concave circular "mirror" bought in automotive section of the grocery store.

It is usually mount on the side-view mirror to show the blind spot. It is plastic with a shiny coating so no worries about rust/etc even in saltwater. I have used mine for a long time...

Since it is concave, it show the "big picture" and easier to spot things u/w quickly when you see the whole body/face of the diver for reference.

Great idea!

I used to use a normal "Emergency" mirror (Scubapro) for my bubble check, but I just tried your idea and it works fine...

Cheers

decoweenie · 21st November 2005, 08:49

Quote: (Originally Posted by cedricverdier)

Great idea! ...I just tried your idea and it works fine...

Great to hear that you like it.

Also in the past, I used to epoxy said mirror to the flat part of the ballast of the HID light. So I would be able to instantly check on my buddy when we are descending an anchor line without having to look back. Or check bubbles/etc.

rogeringebo · 21st November 2005, 09:07

Sound like a good idea to have a mirror.....
I just lay on my back and look for bubbles taking off for the surface...
but maybe hard to see the really small ones and where they are coming from..
Rodge

18th November 2005, 21:26	#1 (permalink)
Pierre Farrugia Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Malta Posts: 636	Bubble check when diving solo and a VR3 ;) Hello all, Some do everything to get some green....... . Lately I have found a new feature for my VR3, using it for a bubble check and if I hear something strang I use it, how? Get it close to your mask and use it as a mirror and works a dream! While diving with open circuit divers if I have a leak they will tell me and then I have to imagine from where and cannot actually know how severe! Now I can just have a look! What you think? Have you tried this out ? __________________ Pierre Farrugia My wife told me " If you don't quit diving I'm going to leave you" My reply " God, I'll miss you" www.atlam.org www.divemed.com
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18th November 2005, 22:02	#2 (permalink)
eanxdiver Rather be Diving Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss rEvo Other Rebreather/s: rEvo Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: USA, SC Posts: 108	Re: Bubble check when diving solo and a VR3 ;) Thanks for the suggestion. I too use this occasionally, find it helpful at times, but be aware it is dependent on ambient light conditions.
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19th November 2005, 04:15	#3 (permalink)
decoweenie Crash Test Dummy Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Other CCR Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Cairo Posts: 5,510	Re: Bubble check when diving solo and a VR3 ;) Pierre, I always advocate that divers should carry a mirror for both purpose: emergency surface signalling u/w check of own equipment Even when diving with buddy, I still would like to check things out myself when I can. Even on OC, and someone tells me that there are bubbles from one reg, I would still check with a mirror to know exactly where the leak source is so I could fix it later - buddy tend to forget which hose/etc. On Rebreather, you will have OC buddies sometimes who are not familiar with your rig. So it is best to be able to check yourself when seeing/feeling small leaks. It is good for your buddy also. One particular time when my buddy refused to understand that his drysuit inflator is leaking, I simply shone the mirror for him to see. If you use a Wet-Note system, simply tie a piece of cave line to the mirrow from the WN, slip it inside the WN and it will always be there. __________________ "...after a while you get bored offering advice to a bull that like to keep butting the fence with its head rather than walking through the open gate..." - Rebreather World PM
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19th November 2005, 11:36	#4 (permalink)
divetheworld Dive porn pimp Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Inspiration Classic Inspiration Vision Classic Kiss Other CCR Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Leeds, England Posts: 1,585	Re: Bubble check when diving solo and a VR3 ;) Quote: (Originally Posted by decoweenie) Pierre, I always advocate that divers should carry a mirror for both purpose: emergency surface signalling u/w check of own equipment Even when diving with buddy, I still would like to check things out myself when I can. Even on OC, and someone tells me that there are bubbles from one reg, I would still check with a mirror to know exactly where the leak source is so I could fix it later - buddy tend to forget which hose/etc. On Rebreather, you will have OC buddies sometimes who are not familiar with your rig. So it is best to be able to check yourself when seeing/feeling small leaks. It is good for your buddy also. One particular time when my buddy refused to understand that his drysuit inflator is leaking, I simply shone the mirror for him to see. If you use a Wet-Note system, simply tie a piece of cave line to the mirrow from the WN, slip it inside the WN and it will always be there. I have to agree. Please eveyone be warned, do not nick the bedroom mirror. I tried that and the wife was not very happy, its also hard to fit in a thigh pocket. __________________ Attitude and self praise is no reccomendation. Dont try to be a great man, just be a man and let history be the judge of you. CHECK OUT OUR INTERWEBS FOR CUSTOM REBREATHER UPGRADES *WWW.NARKEDAT90.CO.UK* *http://www.grpservices.com/pursuit/* Supporting Shearwater Research Products in Europe
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19th November 2005, 12:16	#5 (permalink)
*caveseeker7* Who loves ya, baby Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Too far from Neverland Posts: 5,496	Re: Bubble check when diving solo and a VR3 ;) Did you just get married or did you just start diving? Next time take the little one from her purse. __________________ Cheers Stefan "Political Correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end.!"
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19th November 2005, 12:31	#6 (permalink)
decoweenie Crash Test Dummy Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Other CCR Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Cairo Posts: 5,510	Re: Bubble check when diving solo and a VR3 ;) The best mirror I found for checking is actually not an actual flat mirror, but a cheap concave circular "mirror" bought in automotive section of the grocery store. It is usually mount on the side-view mirror to show the blind spot. It is plastic with a shiny coating so no worries about rust/etc even in saltwater. I have used mine for a long time... Since it is concave, it show the "big picture" and easier to spot things u/w quickly when you see the whole body/face of the diver for reference. However, do remember that this type of concave mirror does not perfect signalling mirror for surface emergency since it is hard to focus and re-deflect the light source to a target. __________________ "...after a while you get bored offering advice to a bull that like to keep butting the fence with its head rather than walking through the open gate..." - Rebreather World PM
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19th November 2005, 15:01	#7 (permalink)
narked at 90 John Routley Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other CCR Dolphin Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Other CCR Dolphin Home Build Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: middlands uk Posts: 1,035	Re: Bubble check when diving solo and a VR3 ;) i use a little curved mirror on the back of my mits, got it from a car shop...you know the little mirrors you stick on your wing mirror of the car, works great, i use it for bubble checks and finding the hidden buddy when they are above and behind......oh and snot checks after the dive kind regards john routley __________________ CHECK OUT OUR INTERWEBS FOR CUSTOM REBREATHER UPGRADES *WWW.NARKEDAT90.CO.UK* *WWW.GRPSERVICES.COM*
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21st November 2005, 07:23	#8 (permalink)
cedricverdier S21 M.I.B. Current Rebreather/s: Evolution Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Inspiration Classic Inspiration Vision Sport Kiss Classic Kiss Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Worldwide! Posts: 497	Re: Bubble check when diving solo and a VR3 ;) Quote: (Originally Posted by decoweenie) The best mirror I found for checking is actually not an actual flat mirror, but a cheap concave circular "mirror" bought in automotive section of the grocery store. It is usually mount on the side-view mirror to show the blind spot. It is plastic with a shiny coating so no worries about rust/etc even in saltwater. I have used mine for a long time... Since it is concave, it show the "big picture" and easier to spot things u/w quickly when you see the whole body/face of the diver for reference. Great idea! I used to use a normal "Emergency" mirror (Scubapro) for my bubble check, but I just tried your idea and it works fine... Cheers __________________ Cedric Verdier PADI Course Director, ANDI-IANTD-PSAI-TDI-DSAT-DAN-NAUI-CMAS Instructor Trainer Trimix (CCR and OC) and Cave Diving Instructor Trainer www.CedricVerdier.com DIRrebreather member Last edited by schford : 21st November 2005 at 08:11. Reason: quote fixed
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21st November 2005, 08:49	#9 (permalink)
decoweenie Crash Test Dummy Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Other CCR Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Cairo Posts: 5,510	Re: Bubble check when diving solo and a VR3 ;) Quote: (Originally Posted by cedricverdier) Great idea! ...I just tried your idea and it works fine... Great to hear that you like it. Also in the past, I used to epoxy said mirror to the flat part of the ballast of the HID light. So I would be able to instantly check on my buddy when we are descending an anchor line without having to look back. Or check bubbles/etc. __________________ "...after a while you get bored offering advice to a bull that like to keep butting the fence with its head rather than walking through the open gate..." - Rebreather World PM
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21st November 2005, 09:07	#10 (permalink)
rogeringebo Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Pelagian Other Rebreather/s: Megalodon Classic Kiss Pelagian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Stockholm Sweden Posts: 700	Re: Bubble check when diving solo and a VR3 ;) Sound like a good idea to have a mirror..... I just lay on my back and look for bubbles taking off for the surface... but maybe hard to see the really small ones and where they are coming from.. Rodge
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