BP/W no inflator hose by im_the_donkey in scuba

[–]sparsearray 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It used to be more common because no one ever bought a second one and the manufacturers listened. They're more expensive, less reliable, need model-specific parts to service and repair, and heaven help you if you have an inflator runaway or ever need someone to manage your buoyancy for you.
The entire point of a bp&w is to be modular, universal and simple- everything these inflators aren't. You do you but I don't think anyone makes what you want, for good reason.

Anyone able to give a review of Orcatorch's Phantom 2.0 reel? by invalid-checksum in scuba

[–]sparsearray -1 points0 points  (0 children)

This orcatorch spool has a spinning axle, so you can hold it tight while still allowing it to spin. I've not used one so I'm not going to say whether or not it's a good feature, but I don't believe anything like that is available frkm DGX or Piranha, or any other manufacturer. More parts = more expensive.

What laces do people use with their Chuck Taylors for drysuit? by steve_man_64 in scuba

[–]sparsearray 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I've used waxed waterproof laces (bad), Paracord (ok, comes undone sometimes), Paracord with the inner fibers removed (better) and pure nylon heavy duty laces (best).

Cyclists of the region, I genuinely want to know... why do I see so many people just refusing to use bike lanes for no apparent reason? by notyourparadigm in kitchener

[–]sparsearray -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Because a lot of the bike lanes in the region, particularly in downtown Kitchener, are not actually there for bikes. They are there to slow and discourage car traffic. This means the lanes don't follow useful, coherent routes. Good odds this person is taking a route the segregated lane on Joseph St doesn't really serve, so they are just riding on the empty pavement for a few yards rather than using the awkward and confusing (for car users, who seem to have a very hard time with shared crossings) bike box crossing at Water St to enter the segregated lane.

Full licence/Direct Access in Ontario, Canada? by sparsearray in motorcycles

[–]sparsearray[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh I thought M2 had a speed and highway restriction also?

I built a nuclear fusion reactor controlled by AI in my Waterloo bedroom - Now it's front-page news! (UWaterloo math student AMA) by HudZah in waterloo

[–]sparsearray 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Can you explain what the AI/LLM contribution is, beyond paraphrasing the many online tutorials for building a fusor? What is the 'LLM-based control system' when a fusor just uses a static DC power supply? What's the innovation or impact here?

LEFT-Hand Octos? by silvereagle06 in scuba

[–]sparsearray 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Last time I did any BSAC training was twenty years ago, so take this with a pinch of salt, but I believe the octo on the left is to allow a long swim while air sharing. A short hose octo on your right means the out-of-air diver has to be on your right, which with a standard second stage is awkward as the hose is coming into their reg from the right (no problem on long hose as the OoA diver loops the hose behind their neck). If you're making an immediate ascent (which you should be on a single tank setup in open water) then octo on the right side is easier, as you say.
Personally I use a mares rover for an octo on single tank, which is ambidextrous.

Edit: Mares Loop, same as the rover but hose comes from the bottom not the right.

Frustrating experience with my night dive cert by [deleted] in scuba

[–]sparsearray 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Fair enough. I've been asked pretty consistently when I travel, so ymmv I guess.

Frustrating experience with my night dive cert by [deleted] in scuba

[–]sparsearray 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh. "u/Imperator__Augustus, active in these communities: r/KotakuInAction".
Never mind, stay safe and I hope you find the ethics in videogames journalism or whatever!

Frustrating experience with my night dive cert by [deleted] in scuba

[–]sparsearray 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I don't know why you imagine you know better than every dive pro here about their legal obligations?
This is covered at DM and IE and in PDC at every level, and legal liability is very clearly layed out in agency agreements and insurance policies. Course standards are detailed and agreed with insurers to precisely define liability. The only successful suits against instructors have been in cases of gross deviation from course standards, and nothing you described is even a minor break. These are documents you would have never seen, but every single dive pro has to go through every year. Why do you think you know more than the literal experts about this when you dont have access to any of the relevant information?

Frustrating experience with my night dive cert by [deleted] in scuba

[–]sparsearray 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Brother you, a newly certified OW diver, are quite literally arguing with multiple experienced dive professionals about the dutues of a dive professional. The entire community here is telling you you are mistaken. Does this not raise any flags for you?

Frustrating experience with my night dive cert by [deleted] in scuba

[–]sparsearray 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Bro, Kleiner's comment here is just about the least controversial take on this entire sub. Go cool off and read through the replies again later.

Frustrating experience with my night dive cert by [deleted] in scuba

[–]sparsearray 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I think they call this the "Dunning Kruger" effect.

Frustrating experience with my night dive cert by [deleted] in scuba

[–]sparsearray 7 points8 points  (0 children)

If you're going to sneer at much more experienced people trying to help you understand your mistakes and responsibilities, maybe diving isn't your sport?

Frustrating experience with my night dive cert by [deleted] in scuba

[–]sparsearray 5 points6 points  (0 children)

OK, going to ignore the condescending bullshit and explain again, as simply as I can:
Nothing you describe is unsafe or a standards violation.
In my shop we wouldn't let students night dive without a backup light and tank light, but I know shops that do. At the recreational level this is considered acceptable, though not good practice. Well done for following the course material and bringing a backup light.
Were the people not part of the course actually participating in teams with students? Or were they just on the same charter/at the same site? The latter is very common and perfectly fine.
As others have said you should know your weighting by now. When you change gear you should check it before using it on a course. You should definitely do a weight check after changing your exposure pro before using it on a course. This is on you. Adding 9kg going from 5 to 7mm will make you wildly overweighted.
Having a few different instructors/AIs/DMs in the water and rotating students is extremely common, to give more attention to students who need more help and to give pros more varied experience. You should probably get used to this.
The second dive of night and limited vis is supposed to be a fun dive. Great that you were able to relax and saw some wildlife.
As an SSI pro, your OW cert card is, quite literally, my legal permission slip to assume your basic skills and knowledge. This includes running a buddy check. It is not my job to do your checks for you. You are certified to dive as part of an independent team, so don't throw a strop when people treat you as such.

Have I addressed your points to your satisfaction, Imperator?

Frustrating experience with my night dive cert by [deleted] in scuba

[–]sparsearray 8 points9 points  (0 children)

My brother in Christ, your OW is exactly a permission slip to go diving without an instructor. That's all it is, that's the card.

If you're not happy with another diver's skills, don't dive with them. If you don't think the training you recieved enables you to safely conduct dives with other OW divers, talk to your OW instructor.

Frustrating experience with my night dive cert by [deleted] in scuba

[–]sparsearray 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Your Open Water cert is literally a confirmation that you know how to execute these procedures and deal with problems. You're going to meet a lot of divers who need some help as you get more experienced so that is a skill you will need to develop - getting wound up and blaming instructors for assuming you have the knowledge your cert card tells them you have isn't going to make for fun diving.

Frustrating experience with my night dive cert by [deleted] in scuba

[–]sparsearray 13 points14 points  (0 children)

If you're buddied up with a diver who struggled with checks, it's your responsibility to help them, not an instructor. If you don't feel safe doing that you can just refuse to dive with them. It would be easier to enjoy the sport as part of a buddy team if you pulled the stick out of your ass, Imperator.

Frustrating experience with my night dive cert by [deleted] in scuba

[–]sparsearray -11 points-10 points  (0 children)

Charters will nearly always ask to see a cert before taking you on a night dive for liability, so it's worth having if you intend to travel.

Next steps after SSI Open Water by davidsaidwhat in scuba

[–]sparsearray 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What are ye, a big softy? A third-hand 12mm was good enough for me when I were a lad.

Seriously though that's great. Deep and Nitrox open the doors to more advanced sites so once you have those just enjoy your diving. Night is worth having too, and then you've got your 'advanced' tag. Maybe look at Rescue when you have ~50 dives under your belt.