LIFE ENDING SECONDS 3000 TO ZERO IN 72 SECONDS

We train for equipment failures in our certification courses, practice our emergency drills, and conduct pre-dive safety inspections. We do all this in hopes that we may catch a problem before it happens or have the knowledge to remedy the situation at depth just incase one occurs. In all the preparation and drills, it always seems that an equipment failure happens at the worst time. Advanced Diver Magazine looked into equipment failure one step further and conducted a series of tests at multiple depths in an attempt to calculate if increased depth can escalate a potential life threatening equipment failure. Afterwards, we posted the results on the technical diving forum, The Decostop (www.thedecostop.com), to see what the responses and suggestions from other technical divers would be. The test our different equipment failures were simulated at four different preset depths and timed for their results. Each test included a full aluminum 80 cubic foot cylinder filled to 3000 psi. The test timed how long it would take to drain each aluminum 80 from 3000 psi to 0 psi. Text by Curt Bowen.