…of course I can do that,

…I watched the video on Youtube!

The man is the picture is Mike. Let’s call him that because it’s his real name. He’s the guy that keeps my gear in tip-top condition and makes sure that I can breath underwater when I need to.

Uncle Cal’s Story Time

I’ve been diving now for 11+ years and I am very comfortable diving, cleaning, and occasionally upgrading my own gear.

Recently I purchased a Garmin Mk2i Diver computer and watch. (a very small part of the reason I am writing this post is just to brag about the fact that I got one.) The Garmin Mk2i has a transmitter that hooks to my regulator and that is how it gets the remaining pressure in my tank. My previous computer (Shearwater Perdix in case anyone is curious) also had a transmitter. Since they were both basically the same, I figured “Hey, I can put this on. After all, if there is a youtube video, how hard can it be.

Of course this Sunday when I was at the dive center, I gave my regulator to Mike because on Saturday’s dive it had been leaking air. He pulled the transmitter off and showed me that because I didn’t really understand what I was doing, I had pinched an O-ring when installing it, and that was causing the leak.

It took Mike 30 seconds to find, explain, and fix the problem. It took me 30 minutes of searching youtube, watching videos and experimenting to get it wrong in the first place.

I don’t do my own electrical work either

Look, there are things I will do on my own – most are some form of yard work – and there are things I know to call a professional. Electrical, plumbing, and dive gear maintenance are things I know to leave to people that are trained to do them. Even thought I am a professional diver, I am not qualified to work on my own equipment. Sadly, this is a lesson I keep learning over and over again, $50-$150 at a time.

Find your Mike

I tell all my students that one of the most important things any diver can have is a dive center that they trust. For me, I know that at my dive center, Mike is there. Mike has worked on my gear for several years. I know that he’s going to do a good job and this translates in to better, most comfortable, and more confident dives for me.

Take the time to find a local dive center that you trust. The next time you take your gear in, go meet the person working on it. Get to know them a little. If after getting to know them, you don’t feel comfortable, take your gear elsewhere.

Spend the time necessary to find your Mike. It is time well invested in diving confidently.

Until next time,
Dive Confidently!
=C=