We have all heard the term “redheaded stepchild” before. You know, the child that does not get the same attention as the rest of your kids. This may be due to (a) you don’t notice the child as much (b) you don’t care about the child as much (c) the child has never caused you any problems...yet or (d) the child does not belong to you. I started thinking of my cave diving equipment in terms of children. For me, the most beloved gear were my regulators, lights & dry suit. As I looked over my gear closely during a stage bottle reconfiguration effort, I noticed MY redheaded stepchild. He was small compared to my other children and covered with black rubber like a troubled teen in a trench coat. I never really saw him without his trench coat on, so I really did not know what he looked like underneath all that rubber. I had forgotten just how important this child was too me especially after I took his rubber coat off and saw him shinning in the sun. On a regular basis he separates me from catastrophe but only with his trench coat on. It quickly occurred to me that I had an entire family of these kids in trench coats on any given dive. This analogy may seem silly but it will help me to always remember MY redheaded stepchild ..........manifold valve stems and knobs.
When was the last time you checked how well the knobs (rubber trench coat) were attached to the stem? How much corrosion has built up on the stem and treads? Most important can you imagine your surprise if that trench coat falls off or cracks in your hand during a gas management situation? One thing is for sure, your gas supply will long be gone before anyone figures out how to rotate a valve stem off without a knob. I lost 1000psi from an 80cf stage bottle in less than 10seconds and that was with the knob on.
Here is MY short list of gear (in no specific order) that gets neglected most:
1) Manifolds & valves to include knob & stems (don’t forget stage & deco bottles)
2) Light cords, especially at fittings & sealing glands
3) Batteries & chargers to include connections (never trust a charger’s idiot lights indicating “charged”, I always check battery voltage 15 minutes after being disconnected from charger)
4) Inflation devices including BC & drysuits
5) Pressure gauge O-rings & stems
6) Oxygen sensors
7) Scooter/DPV props & triggers
8) Mask glass especially where it attaches to frame
9) BC bladders
10) Safety spools/reels (when was the last time you inspected the line on them?)
As for borrowed gear, it is like unprotected sex. You have no idea where it has been or who it has been with. That may be acceptable risk for open water rental equipment but technical divers need to “just say no” to borrowing or renting gear. (I realize that there may be reliable stores renting technical equipment but then they probably won’t be relying on the equipment like you will). Caveat Emptor (let the buyer/renter beware)
Great diving
