Renting Dive Gear

A diver will normally use dive gear provided by the Dive Centre they dive with. This can be rental of full gear set through to just using the Centres cylinders and weight belt. The need for good quality, working dive equipment is obvious. Sometimes, the need for divers to check equipment quality is forgotten during the rush to get into the water and dive!

Although Borneo Dream’s equipment is regularly serviced and inspected before each use, we strongly urge divers, for their own safety, to check any rental equipment thoroughly before diving. Good Dive Centres will support, and encourage you, in doing this.

If you know you are diving with reliable, good quality rental dive gear then when you dive you can know you can focus, with your buddy, on enjoying the dive and the amazing underwater world around you! Please find more information below on Borneo Dreams dive gear safety practices and guidelines for safely using rental dive gear with any Dive Operator you choose to dive with.

Remember – take the time to check your rented dive gear before you dive. If you are unhappy with the quality of it, you should ask for it to be changed.

Renting Dive Gear from Borneo Dream

At Borneo Dream we make diver safety our first priority. This includes only using good quality, fully functioning rental dive equipment. We have listed below some of the safety standards and practices we apply to ensure this:

• We use aluminium Luxfer cylinders for leisure diving. All are purchased new and inspected / tested in accordance with the guidelines listed above.
• Our regulators and gauges are numbered, logged and continually checked to ensure they are fully working. Any malfunctioning equipment is exchanged immediately, then repaired by a qualified technician.
• Our wetsuits are inspected daily and replaced every two years or when ‘wear and tear’ dictates, whichever is the sooner.
• We carry an extensive range of high quality masks, fins and snorkels to suit all sizes.
• We always ask for our customers sizes in advance (when they are renting dive gear) so that we can bring along equipment that will be a good fit for them. We also bring on the boat a range of masks and fins in various sizes so we can ensure the customer can use equipment which is the best size for them.

PADI course or diving for fun - do it safely with Borneo Dream. If you choose to go leisure diving, or take a diving course, with another Dive Operator in Sabah make sure they apply good safety practices to you can focus on enjoying the experience. We have provided extra information below on what to look for when checking rented dive gear.

Renting Cylinders

To ensure that the cylinder is still safe to use for diving it should be visually inspected every year and hydrostatically tested every three years. The hydrostatic tester’s stamp, usually on or around the neck of the cylinder, gives testing details and can be understood using the guide below.

One of the markings found around the neck of the cylinder will look similar to the following - "12345 PST 6*96+". This can be understood by using the key below:

• 12345 = serial number
• PST = cylinder manufacturer
• 6*96= hydrostatic test date (month / year)
• + = 10% overfill allowed

It is important for divers to locate the most recent stamp and ensure the cylinder has been tested at some time during the preceding three years before use. If it hasn’t, you cannot be sure it is safe to use during a dive and should ask for a replacement cylinder.

The other checks to perform with a cylinder are as follows:

• The quality of air in the cylinder should be tested, by sniffing, to check it has not been contaminated during filling.
• The valve should be inspected at the cylinder joint to ensure the seal is good and no air is escaping.
• O-rings should also be checked for leakage once the first stage is connected and pressured. A leaking O-ring should be replaced.

Renting Buoyancy Control Devices (BCDs)

A quick visual inspection will give some indication of a BCD’s general condition, but some specific functions need to be tested following assembly of dive gear and prior to diving.

• Inflation: Test both Low Pressure Inflator Hose (LPIH) and oral inflation using the Inflator and Deflator Buttons. Check for leaks within the BCD fabric and at the LPIH connection. Ensure the Inflator button moves freely and does not stick.
• Deflation: Inflate the BCD. Press the Deflator Button and ensure air expulsion is unobstructed.
• Dump Valves. Inflate the BCD. Locate the Dump Valve cord(s) and pull. Ensure the valve opens easily and there is rapid BCD deflation.

You should ask for any faulty equipment to be replaced by your Dive Operator.

Renting Regulators and Gauges

There are several checks to perform with regulators and gauges, all quick to perform:

• All hoses should be firmly secured to the first stage. The seals should be airtight.
• The gauze revealed by removing the dust cap should be clean and dry.
• Primary and secondary air sources should be tested, first by breathing through the mouthpieces and then by purging. Comfort is also an important consideration.
• Gauges should be inspected for damage. The Submersible Pressure Gauge (SPG) should register around 200 bar when the unit is pressurized from a full 11.25 Litre Luxfer cylinder (unless another operating pressure has been agreed).
• The depth gauge should be buddy-checked during first descent.

You should ask for any faulty equipment to be replaced by your Dive Operator.

Remember – your safety is immediately compromised if a dive centre asks you to use faulty or low quality breathing equipment.

Renting Wetsuits

Wetsuits provide protection against exposure, so a snug fit is important. Like BCD’s, wetsuit condition can quickly be assessed by a visual inspection.  Any tears, threadbare patches, broken zips or cracks in the neoprene reduce insulation, so it is important to ensure a suit is in good condition before proceeding with a dive. You should ask for wetsuit in poor condition to be replaced by your Dive Operator.

Remember – a poor fitting or distressed suit can make a dive unpleasant and even result in diver hyperthermia. Sub-standard exposure protection is a safety compromise.

Renting Fins, Masks and Snorkels

Dive Centres should have a variety of sizes of fins and masks available to ensure divers can chose masks and fins which are a good fit for them. A good fit provides both comfort and safety. A mask can be checked for good fit by placing it on the face without the strap attached and then breathing in through the nose. If the mask adheres to the face without de-pressurising, then the fit is correct.

You should ask for any badly fitting equipment to be replaced by your Dive Operator.

Remember – badly fitting and/or leaky equipment will spoil your dive and may endanger you.