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Tarrant Dunford

@the_surface_interval

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I've lived and worked as a diver in VA, TX, FL, US Virgin Islands, Truk Lagoon, and Bikini Atoll. Diving for half my life, and I ain't stopping now.

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Sure, a mouthpiece is better than nothing (and custom mouthpieces can be great for comfort) but that’s not really the dirty part of the regulator.
Ask any service tech who maintains a rental fleet what horrible things they’ve seen inside those 2nd Stages.
I myself have personally seen gum, nicotine patches, tobacco chew, puke residue, and cigarette smoke smell that just won’t go away with normal sanitizer rinse.
The trick? The easiest thing is just bring your own, but if ya can’t: Try to dunk and purge it while on a tank, and just do what most people do and try to ignore it (haha).
In reality diving is just a bit nasty sometimes, and it’s part of the game. BUT, a little awareness can go a long way.
🤢🤿💦
#scubadiving #scubalife #gross #scubagear #sweetwaterscuba

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This is the absolutely grossest thing in diving to me. I know I said two things but I could barely finish this one, which was only half of the first part. The next one (technically two) will be in the next video, but I’m not sure any of it is nearly as bad. Snot above the mouth (SAMS) (also SQUIDS & other names entry to block out) is what will gag me every time. What’s your weakness?
🤢🤿💦
#scubadiving #gross #scubalife #nasty #scubadivingwithkenny

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How do you feel about teaching OW dive students to go “straight” to the octo (safe 2nd) when recovering a lost primary regulator?

There is a hot discussion out there on whether divers should be taught to go to their backup FIRST, before beginning sweeping/lost regulator recovery.

PROS: Some divers miss the regulator on the sweep, or it gets caught/snagged somewhere tough to find. Having the octo already in their mouth would alleviate potential panic, or heightened anxiety that could lead to panic.
Also, if the octo is used as a “last resort” because they couldn’t find their lost primary, they are already running low on air and approaching the panic threshold.
If there is anything wrong with the octo, this gives very little wiggle room at the last minute.

The reality is, many divers do not test their regulators, neglect their octos, or they rent poorly maintained gear with octos that can malfunction. Sometimes, an octo can simply get debris in the exhaust diaphragms and “breathe wet” (we have breakdown videos on this channel discussing that issue).
If the octo is malfunctioning at this critical moment, there is a compounded issue, vs finding that out early on in the initial moment of the switch.

CONS: This can create gear complacency, and prevent the student from learning to cope with urgency. It also reduces the likelihood of a student learning the different places an octo might get stuck (or float above them) and not have to contend with the importance of learning different techniques for finding and recovering their primary.

While there are plenty of great arguments for alternative configurations, hogarthian / long hose, necklace use, or even an integrated inflator (safe 2nd) such an Air2 or SS1. This is still a required basic Open Water teaching skill, and is the most common scenario with rental gear or typical dive buddy setups.
Is there a “best” way, or should we actually consider teaching both?
🛟🤿
#scubadiving #scubalife #rescuediver #panic #sweetwaterscuba

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One of the most underrated pieces of dive gear. This little inflator thingy is one of my GOTOS, and has been for decades. Yup, I use the @zeaglesystems inflator on my @nexdiving BPW as well, and it’s on all my rentals (at least 5 different brands). It’s a gem. Not the biggest thing in the world but sometimes… it’s the little things 🍻🤿
#scubagear #scubalife #divegear #howthingswork #sweetwaterscuba

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Pro divers were asked if and why they prefer DIN or Yoke style regulator systems, while at the @thescubashow We have two main tank valve / 1st Stage configurations in scuba: DIN & Yoke.
DIN screws directly into the valve and captures the thicker O-ring inside a locked-in valve orifice. The yoke has the regulator opening rest in the valve face where the o-ring rests, and has a screw-in clamp and knob that wraps around the back of the valve.
The DIN is both preferred for Tech/Cave configurations and cold water diving due to a more streamlined setup, higher pressure capacity, and captured o-ring that is less prone to catastrophic failure/rupture. It also allows you to keep/check your-oring because it stays with the regulator, guaranteeing you have a good-ring, vs being at the mercy of a rental fleet.
Most agree DIN is both safer, more capable, and more streamlined, but Yoke is extremely prevalent, especially in the Americas, Australia, and other regions.
While there are no real advantages to Yoke (some argue the handle knob is a little easier, but some argue the opposite), Yoke valves are more common in most tourist locations, so traveling makes DIN less common and often creates a layer of hassle. Fortunately, a DIN can easily be adapted to a Yoke style tank valve with a small adapter (shown). Conversely, a Yoke can adapt to a DIN tank with a small insert. Fortunately, most newer tank valves come with the “pro valve” that allows adapting to either. Is there a realistic solution to this? Should we phase out new production of Yoke starting at a certain date? Or is this a 2-tier system we are doomed to deal with forever?
🤿🔧
#scubagear #scubatank #divetravel #divemasterlife #sweetwaterscuba

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You know what makes me happy? Getting underwater and experiencing scuba diving the way it used to be! 🤿

While I was in Michigan, I got the opportunity to take a little trip back in time and dive with some old-school scuba equipment. I’m talking a vintage double-hose regulator, no BCD, and nothing but a set of straps holding the tanks on my back!

Back then, divers didn’t have all the technology and equipment we rely on today. Proper weighting was EVERYTHING. Without a BCD to add or dump air, you had to really understand your buoyancy, your breathing, and how to move through the water.

There’s something pretty incredible about experiencing how the pioneers of our sport explored the underwater world.

Sometimes the best way to appreciate how far scuba diving has come is to experience where it all started. 🌊

Would you ever try diving with vintage scuba gear, or are you keeping your modern setup? 👀

#vintage #scuba #michigan #noaa #doublehoseregulator

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In this video: Dan Howard, Bella Zandona, Red Sullivan, Greg Holt, Chris Lemons (Last Breath), RJ & Morgan of Spacefish Army, Liz Parkinson, Kimber Collins (Scuba Queen).
COMMON MISCONCEPTION: Many still believe that snorkels are required to be worn in Open Water scuba training, and some even think it’s a hard rule while diving anywhere. *There are a few local parks in the world that require them, usually at tourist hotspots. But outside of that, there is no general or broad requirement. This used to be a training standard, but with more integration into Technical training early on, & modern “roll up” snorkels, the language has shifted to just requiring Instructors or students to have them “available”, not worn directly on their masks. While training agencies differ slightly in language, the only time they are required to be worn by all major agencies is when actually conducting snorkel skills (obviously).
My experience: While there are certainly cases where snorkels are beneficial in diving, wearing one at all times without a site-specific requirement generally produces more problems than it solves, especially with new divers. Further, many divers often cite “waiting for the boat”, such as in choppy water. Sure, do what you prefer… but in many cases the regulator needs to go back in your mouth anyway when getting over to the ladder and onto the boat (esp in chop or high current). A regulator is a totally dry option (& gives you the ability to drop back down for any reason, including an oncoming boat). When diesel fumes are present, the regulator provides clean, filtered air, vs recycled CO2. Not to mention sometimes old gross and moldy insides of a snorkel.
If getting lost at sea is a major concern, get an iPhone with satellite enables & put it in a dive case, Nautilus GPS device, or other readily available equipment that will notify the Coast Guard of your location.
In summary, rollup snorkels or stowing one out of the way in your rig are my goto methods if they’re absolutely needed. But ultimately… do what makes you feel safe and happy, respect different opinions, and keep going diving!
🤿💦
#scubadiving #scubagear #scubalife #divesaf

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These cover 99% of my o-ring problems:
NOTE I’m also a fan of the small kits out there that come with all of these, nothing wrong with those either, just make sure you have a protected/dry palace to keep them that’s also easy to get to on a rocking boat.

Most common sizes:
014 (For standard Yoke style valves)
112 (For most DIN regulators & backside of the valve insert)
*111 some DIN is this size, although getting rare
LP & HP port plug (to replace the plug or use the o-ring for the hose)
LP hose size: 011
HP hose size: 012
Airspool (you can get the o-rings for this too, but I keep a spare or two for a quick boat swap)
The little tank keychain is a favorite of mine, because it seals the o-rings inside of it (with an o-ring, haha) and you can actually put ALL of these on there (some can be bought that way).
You can get full kits, small kits with all these in them, or just keep the plugs like I do if you have to pack light and stay tight without losing anything. Every diver situation is different, but knowing and having all the right orings and being able to swap them out quickly can make or break a dive (and sometimes even prevent seasickness IYKYK).
🤿🔧💦
#scubadiving #scubatank #howto #scubagear #sweetwaterscuba

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As long as you have the hose orientation the way you need it, there’s technically not an “upside down” for a 1st stage dive regulator. Usually cave or penetration divers will prefer a more “tucked down” or streamlined position, but even then sometimes it makes little to no difference depending on the manufacturer.
The main concerns are hose routing, different valve configurations, comfort (not bonking your head haha), and keeping it streamlined.
🤿🔧
#scubadiving #scubagear #howto #techdiving #sweetwaterscuba

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If you HAD to pick ONE Open Water scuba training skill to remove from the course, but replace it with something else… which would it be and why?
This is only for fun, but we went with removing compass navigation since it’s least likely to be used right after Open Water, and is less safety critical in an emergency. Most divers will not solely rely on a compass right out of Open Water (nor will they likely own one), and would probably want to take a navigation course, ask for more help first, or go in depth and truly use it in Advanced Open Water training. But buddy breathing (as gross as it is) could come in handy in a life-or-death, out-of-air scenario underwater if the octopus malfunctions during a more standard “share air” scenario. Especially with a new or out-of-practice diver.
Which OW skill would you remove and replace if ya had to?
🤿🤷‍♂️
#scubalife #openwaterdiver #scubainstructor #rescuediver sweetwaterscuba

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Aside from someone with prior diving experience, there are few reasons to shorten an Open Water scuba course to the minimum amount of water time possible.
Yes, with eLearning completed in advance, 2day courses are still possible with many agencies. However, even the standard length is generally considered very minimal training, and some question if even THAT is adequate enough for someone to actually be able to dive properly once certified.
🤿🏛️💦
#scubadiving #scuba #scubainstructor #lawsuit #sweetwaterscuba

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They say every new invention should “solve a problem”. Knowing that my parents were fully capable of becoming divers, but then seeing them have a bad experience… That is the problem we solve with the Dive In® framework.
🩵🤿
#scubainstructor #scubadiving #divetraining #mindfulness #journeyunderwater

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