Question

Have you ever had 'bad air' from a boat or shop? How did you know it?

Answer 1

I havent, lucky I guess. I always cup my hand at the valve and smell it before hooking up. Bad air usually has an odor. If you smell anything dont use it.

Answer 2

YES, and was it awful, I luckily had a back up on the beach, but it tasted like stale and just was disgusting, I hope to never experience that again. I usually check my air, but I was in a hurry and well, I will always check my air before I leave the shop now!

Answer 3

I've had bad air three times once in California with a brand new tank. When we open it up it had an oil streak top to bottom. It was nasty. While in Belize I had the Dive operation give me two tanks on different days,  that had bad air.

Comments

where in CA was it? what did you do to clean the tank

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We were diving Point Lobos.. It was a brand new tank that I had bought in San Jose. Wings in Santa Cruz took care of the tank.

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glad you got it worked out

Answer 4

I've gotten some strange tasting air a few times - if it doesn't seem right, I switch tanks. Not worth the risk!

Answer 5

I have not had this issue. I do try to always get my tanks filled from a shop that I know well or a dive operation that I am familiar with.

Some of the responses on this page have raised my awareness and I will pay more attention to air and air sources in the future.

Answer 6

Not that I can recall I hope I never do and if so I will catch it before hand.