Threading A Scuba Tank Band - Scuba Tech Tips: S05E08

Every dive we secure our tank band then go diving. If the band was pulled apart, could you re-thread it correctly? Alec shows a method to easily thread and properly secure the tank band to prevent it coming loose. A skill every diver needs to be able to do safely.
**** Alec Peirce Scuba ****
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[@rossmorrison793]

Happy Retirement Alec! Keep up the good work.

[@luisjfeliu]

Still useful and relevant in 2023, thank you!

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

Glad it helped! A

[@ankitsood2932]

Best video for learning what to do with the tank cam band

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

Much appreciate the feedback. A

[@amcaesar]

A new Tech Tip makes it a great day! Thanks, Alec!

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

Thanks for watching Bill. Alec

[@tguarriello]

HOLY COW!!! This made my day. I'm a DM and I've been struggling with a simple way to show students and less experienced divers how to remember this. As usual, you made it simple. Kudos and thanks for doing these videos!

[@JD-wy4ti]

Happy retirement Alec, hope you wont be retiring from the tech tips any time soon, we all love these tech tips.

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

Don't worry JD. I've so many requests now that I'm guessing I'll be around quite a while. Hope you're enjoying them,. Alec

[@71sagittarius]

Alex, thank you again. You are brilliant as always!

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

Thanks and I'm showing this to my wife who has a somewhat different view of me. A

[@71sagittarius]

@@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter They always do Alec. And please excuse my misspell of your name. Typo.

[@nicoscuba]

Alec you must be in the diving Hall of Fame!

[@aminnekoubin]

Thanks, That was actually the most difficult part of diving.

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

It is for many divers, including instructors and DM's.

[@marylandflyer]

Congratulations on your retirement! Now you've really got more time for diving. Another great video, Thanks!

[@Cyjodev]

Happy retirement Alec ! always a pleasure to follow your video .. learned so much !

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

Thank you Joel. And thanks for your support. I'm doing this just for fun and to help divers but it's nice to have some regular guys follow me. Alec

[@Cyjodev]

You re welcome ;) Just booked my OW, AOW, Peek perf. b., Enriched nitrox ... specialties ;) can't wait to begin and learn my way through the steps and guided by good men like you ... please dont change and continue it is really valuable info and experiences past to us newbies and pros alike .. ;)

[@hollandhollywood329]

Watched it 3 times, unthreaded and rethreaded it successfully. Thank you.

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

Easy if you practice huh? Alec

[@terencecallaghan8719]

An absolute cracking episode here! Ive seen so many divers struggle with an undone tank band, You can actually do it incorrectly and it becomes very loose. This method is simple and easy to remember! Thanks Alec, keep up the good work :D

[@benheckendorn2696]

It's just amazing how much we learn from you, I appreciate it so much.

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

I appreciate that Ben. Funny but even the grandkids realize that! A

[@benheckendorn2696]

@@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter hi Alec, many were great at teaching something, but even if they try their best you didn't really understand what they try to teach you, but you do it with so much love and Care, I believe everyone can truely understand what you tell. 👍

[@robertwalsh7894]

Thanks for this advice Alec! I couldn't figure this out and you made it so easy! You the man!!

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

You're welcome!

[@dime275]

Absolutely love the vids. Can't wait for my cert class in June 2017. Super excited. Your videos are very helpful. You're a great teacher. Thanks Alec

[@TomKnudsen]

Thank you again. Mine is one for sure, only the last one to go. I dreaded the day when I would need to do this on a dive site. Its not that its "difficult" but the notion that everybody on the site looks at you, the "experienced" diver or what not are struggeling. Now that is a kick to the ego if ever was one.. So heck yea, this tutorial is most welcome!!!

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

I can see how it would be humbling to ask for help threading your tank band. It looks so simple. It's a bit like adjusting the date and time on some dive computers. Sure the instructions are in the book and quite clear but, damn it can be frustrating! Thanks again Tom. Alec

[@LZScout1]

After returning to diving after an 8 year layoff, I found useful information in this video I’d never learned before! Bravo! Keep it up.

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

Thanks for watching Lantz. Alec

[@bristol8920]

Thanks Alec for all your tech tips... just upgrading from stainless steel bands and wing nuts to the BCD so I will check mine out for sure ..... regards U.K.............

[@mekanwoke6968]

At first, i wondered how this could take 16 minutes to explain, but after struggling for 20 mins to thread mine correctly this past weekend/having my tank come off while under water (new BCD that was not wet/threaded properly), I absolutely appreciate every detail in this video. I am new to diving, but out of every diving/scuba channel out there...yours is definitely a stand out.

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

Glad you learned something and recognize video length it not important, its the content. Did you know there were several models of tank buckles before watching? Thanks for watching. Alec

[@paolafrege7766]

Learning every day a new thing!

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

Me too ... and I am 76 years old with 65+ years of scuba experience. I love it!

[@zoubtube]

Excellent tech tip. As always very much appreciated.

[@troop1026]

I took your advice along time ago, I never unthread it. Keep it coming Alec. Montana Mike.

[@troop1026]

Been working working working Alec. was just home for my dads funeral Milwaukee on the bright side I was able to get caught up with the family that I haven't seen for a few years , living out here Montana. Planning some cold water dives this summer and we are going to Cozumel 4-12 of October. No snow here

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

Yeah. Working. I know the story. I'm supposed to be retired! Let's see .... today I'm going to see my cousin about 2 hours away. He's the last immediate relative of my parents (both long gone - sorry to hear about your dad) and I'm working on a Family Tree so I need his help. When I get back I'll try to finish the chicken tractor (coop on wheels) that I've been building for Diana's egg chickens. I've already put 4 days into it. Then I'll get my tools together for a welding course that I'm doing on Friday. Saturday I have a Sea Hunt presentation at a local Scuba Swap so Thursday I'll need to pack for that. Sunday I have to start burning boxes of files from Scuba 2000 since they are stacked up like a wall in front on my lawn mower which I'll need by Monday since the grass is growing like mad! Before I burn the boxes I have to dig out the fire pit since the ashes are like a volcano right now - from the winter fireplace. I still have a wagon load of wood to bring in from the bush for splitting; fix the electric gate at the front of the ranch; find a break in the invisible dog fence; rewire my road trailer lights; and on it goes. Sometime soon I want to get my new 2015 Indian Vintage bike ready for the road and put away the snowmobiles. Then I have to check over the house trailer since we go to a big Flea Market a couple of hours away on the following weekend. I may have to go back to work to get some rest!!!!!!!!!!!!! However, it's nice Mike. Definitely something for you to look forward to. Talk again soon. Alec

[@nicoscuba]

Top explanation of why you need to soak the band when the bc is brand new but not thereafter. To be shown to all new divers and even instructors.....

[@TheVinny360]

Thank you so much 🙏 I just recently got certified and I’m loving it but I pulled my strap off for some reason and you explained it perfectly and I still love your vintage videos, I hope I can find myself a old reg set in good condition one day 😃

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

You are so welcome!

[@davidhamilton7814]

Looks so easy, when you know how, thanks Alec, I confess, I was probably one of those people you saw messing with their bcd bands LOL

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

Good to be honest Dave. Hope this helps. For your information, I never laughed at them - outside!! It's just one of those skills that a diver never uses so it's easy to get confused. Thanks for watching. Alec

[@MyTinyBalcony]

I am a Dive Instructor who can do this, and still struggle. I use a scuba pro Hydros and have the EsiClip. I need to practice with these more.

[@dennymambo]

Once it's done, it's absurdly simple and easy. Mine even has little numbers and arrows showing the sequence to thread it. Yet until I saw this video, it might as well have been instructions in ancient Latin telling me how to start up a nuclear reactor for all the good it did me hahaha! Thanks for your invaluable videos Alec! :)

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

Glad you like it John and thanks for the nuclear laugh!

[@jeffgarrett4533]

Thank you Alec!

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

Thanks for watching.

[@chrishernandez2844]

Thanks great video. I jacked my strap all up trying to install trim weight pockets. Now I have to figure how it goes back on my bc 🤣

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

You can do it!

[@TUNEtheFISCH]

I couldn’t dive my new wing because I couldn’t fixe the belt Thx to this Vid I can have a second try next week :)

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

You can do it. It's a skill few master but everyone uses. A

[@TUNEtheFISCH]

@@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter yeah xD I think I already fixed that prob x)

[@jacobhicks7959]

Yep just rewatched this one, thought I had it when someone asked

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

Someone told me they watched this, messed up their buddies strap, then magically showed how smart he could re-thread it in front of everyone on the boat. What a friend. A

[@forestartist55]

Like the other viewers, congratulations on your retirement. I think I've viewed all of your videos...one question? When are we going to see Kevin? Thanks for all the great Tech Tips!!!

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

Kevin is very camera shy. Personally I think that's a good thing!! Thanks for your good wishes. Alec

[@andreasraza4047]

Best Man😁👍👍👍

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

You are the best

[@geerxin]

For all those years you've been diving, have you or some one else ever run in to a emergency situation that they have to drop their weights? The reason I ask this is because recently I've been looking for some diffrent weight pockets(intergrated weight system) to replace the original one on my Mares hybrid pure BCD because of the pore design. So I've found some trim pockets that will fit on my waist strap, but they are not quick dumppable like the intergrated weight system. My qustion is does the weight have to be quick dumptable? thanks.

[@munpolstal]

Would you list your upcoming dive trips? It'd be nice to meet the man and give us a good reason to seek out new destinations.

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

Scuba 2000, my old store, has dives organized every weekend through the summer and they have tropical dive trips every month all year. You'll need to visit scuba2000.com for that information. Personally, my next big dive trip is to South Africa in November - diving with the Great Whites in Cape Town, Tigers and Bulls in Durban plus Giraffes, Elephants, Rhinos, Lions and lots more during our 4 days in Kruger Park. This is our 4th trip to RSA and it's considered the best dive adventure by every diver who joins us. We have 1 room left, for 2 people or a single, if you're interested. I hope this helps. Alec

[@jlramos3d]

Hi Alec, what is your opinion about GPS devices like the Nautilus?. Thanks for your channel, is fun and full of great advises.

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

I've used the Nautilus once - in Alaska in strong currents. The dives are close to the rocks so the chase boats cannot always get close to the divers to pick them up. They made the Nautilus mandatory so we wore them but we never actually had to use them. I suppose if conditions suggest the possibility of a diver becoming separated from the boat they'd be a good idea. I'm not sure if I would say that all divers need them, certainly not at $300+ each. If you were diving by yourself, a couple of mile from shore and came to the surface to find your boat nowhere in sight, all of a sudden the nautilus seems like a great idea even at twice the cost!! Personal choice I guess. I wonder if Dive Computers will have GPS built in one day. Cheaper and sure handy! Thanks again Jose. Alec

[@jlramos3d]

That dive in Alaska sounds pretty fun!. It seems like serious operators would provide you with one if there is the chance you may really need it. I heard that most of the liveboard operators in Coco and Galapagos give you one to carry on, at least some of them. I don't think I would be diving by myself with those factors so I will probably spend the $300 in another thing. Thanks a lot Alec! Cheers, -Jose

[@stationlite9250]

Hi Alec, Thanks for this video, love your work. I'm looking at moving to a stainless steel back plate and wing - still single tank at this time but may move to doubles in the future. Anyway - is a Single Tank Adapter a necessity for a back plate or is it fine not to have one? What are the advantages? Thanks for your help.

[@data790]

Yep, soak the bands. Ha ha me and my buddy were struggling for ages to tighten my straps up the other week at -1 deg C. Man was my face red, and not just because of the cold 🤣

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

In my many years of diving, I did very very very few such sillies. I'm smart enough not to post on social media. A

[@data790]

@@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter thank goodness social media wasn't around when we were young. I'm happy to admit I learned something new from this. Little things that make life easier.

[@chrishernandez2844]

Can you do a video on how to reattach the strap back to the bcd?

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

Which strap do you mean? Tank straps usually just pass through the BCD back.

[@gillman0566]

Hey Peirce, what's your advice on putting weight on a seperate cam belt on your cylinder, yay or nay?

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

I've never considered putting a second cam belt on a tank. No reason not to I suppose other than the weight and expense. Most removable weight pockets will attach right to your main cam belt. No real need to add a second one. Some have a Velcro strap that fits around the BCD cam belt and you can put the weights on the sides close to your body or at the back of the tank - depending on how you want to adjust your attitude. Another small thought - I like the additional weight pockets made from mesh rather than solid material. They drain better, dry faster and are lighter too. Thanks for watching. Alec

[@JamesBond-rt9ru]

I have added a 2nd cam band with 2 trim pockets to my setup. Here's why: I have an Aqualung Zuma Travel BCD. It is a back inflate (wing) type and has integrated pockets, but no built-in trim pockets. The trim pockets are optional accessories that are intended to go on the tank band. This particular BCD also locates the tank band much lower on the tank than traditional BCD's. I believe, because it being a lightweight 'travel' BCD, it is trying to have the hips carry a bit of the load, rather than the just the shoulders. I tried putting the trim pockets on the BCD's tank band, but could not get a nice horizontal trim. It seems that the center of buoyancy, because of the wings, was up somewhere between my shoulders and the tank band. The center of gravity (if I can be allowed to call it that) seemed to be just below my ribs and slightly above my hips (near where the integrated weight pockets were located) . This caused me to have an attitude in the water with my head up slightly and my feet down slightly. I had to 'work/swim' to get flat Adding the trim to the BCD's tank band seemed to put the weight in-line (along my body) with the integrated weights, but just on the direct opposite side of them (on my back). They actually made the trim issue worse by pushing my hips down some more. The buoyancy from the wings was still pulling my upper body upward a bit. My solution was to add a 2nd tank band, who's only purpose was to hold the trim pockets onto the tank. Because the 2nd tank band was movable, up and down along the tank, I could finally adjust my trim by moving the weight up and down the tank, until I 'leveled' out and found the 'sweet spot'. Alec, if you know a better way, or if you think I may be addressing the issue the wrong way with a 2nd cam band, by all means, please tell me how I should go about fixing it. Thanks....

[@gillman0566]

James Bond yeah I pretty much did the same thing, but I was worried about the quick release of the weight pockets since being on my tank, I my not reach them if I have to drop but I fixed that problem by add longer handles

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

Sounds like you have the perfect solution. I didn't think about the fact that you can move the weight-only tank band up and down to suit. Good idea. If the weights are at the top you could swim head down all the time or vice versa, depending on your need. If there's no way to attach weight pockets to the back of your BC, this sounds good to me. Alec

[@JamesBond-rt9ru]

Michael Perez: I did not worry about dropping the trim weight because they were only 'trim' weights. That is, not more than a pound or so each. The bulk of my weight, 10-to-16- ish pounds is in my dump-able integrated pockets. Typically, I use 10-12 w/o a wetsuit (2x4/5 integrated and 2x1 trim) and 18 (2x8 integrated and 2x1 trim) w/ a 5mm suit. I can get away with 2x1 trim in both cases because I can raise the tank band higher with the more buoyant 5mm, effectively getting a longer lever arm from my CoG, and making the 2x1 'seem' like 2x2 due to the added torque of the longer distance. My theory is that I am mainly using the larger weight in my integrated pockets to achieve something very close to proper buoyancy. The small amount in my tank band pockets is only there to adjust my attitude, that is to tip me forward/backward slightly so I am flat. If an emergency arises and I have to dump weights, dumping the larger amount, in my integrated pockets, will more than be enough to allow me to surface. Now, maybe IF I were thinner, and did not need the 10-ish pounds for buoyancy, I would be more concerned with also dumping the Trim Weight. Nahhhh...that's not going to happen any time soon :)

[@antistatsicutter8718]

One of those gadgets that you feel stupid for asking help on. But need direction.

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

Yep! It looks simple, until you need to do it. Take care. Alec

[@whatyoudontknowaboutit]

love u coach

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

Right back at you too. Alec

[@chiranagheorghitaeugeniuth98]

90% of the certified divers have a real issue on threading :)

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

Hope this helps you thread a tank band.

[@chiranagheorghitaeugeniuth98]

@@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter I hope this helps all of us not to get seen as rookies when faced with this situation. I have seen instructors not knowing how to do it...

[@JamesBond-rt9ru]

Alec, your instructions and video are great, but if you don't do it very often, people like me are still going to forget how to do it. :( I'd like to offer some other ways the 'instructions' might be 'right in front of a diver's eyes', and he may not know it. (I'm sure you know all of this, but I thought I'd mention it for the benefit of other viewers. ) So... You mentioned that some cams have the instructions on the side. Sometime the 'instructions' are on the front and back faces of the cam, rather than the sides in a non-obvious 'secret code'. Instead of having an actual 'threading' diagram, the instructions are in the form of some number and arrow pairs. The number is the Step #, such as Step 1 do this, Step 2 do that etc. The arrow next to the number points to the 'slot' the band goes into for that step. The side that the number is stamped on it the side from which the band should go 'into' the slot. I noticed the 2^ at 13:22 on your cam telling me that your cam uses this method of 'instructions'. Rather than instructions, it should probably just be considered a 'reminder' or a way of 'double checking' when following your instructions. Also, sometimes there is a tag sewn onto the BCD or the BCD's cam band with a diagram of the threading sequence. Hope this helps someone in a pinch . Thanks...

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

Good ideas Jimmy. Thanks. Alec

[@dc3john829]

Two mins in and still not showing how to thread…. MOVE ON

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

Not all knowledge is obtained in 2 minutes. Lots of other YT videos to watch. A

[@71sagittarius]

You've been sleeping buddy...

[@theonlyguills]

Too bad, they sell pills for ADHD. His video was full of useful contents you missed because you're an arse.

[@devildog6899]

Wow 16 minutes to show how to thread a tank band which could have taken 5 minutes.

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

It's a 5 minute process but it takes longer to explain the process. I suspect that you know how to do it so a 16 minute video must have been boring. For someone who is mystified by the threading of a buckle, 16 minutes is not too long. Why not check out some of my vidoes that might be useful or even just entertaining for you. What about the homemade rebreather in the Vintage Scuba playlist. I'm pretty sure you've not seen that before. Thanks for watching. Alec

[@geerxin]

For all those years you've been diving, have you or some one else ever run in to a emergency situation that they have to drop their weights? The reason I ask this is because recently I've been looking for some diffrent weight pockets(intergrated weight system) to replace the original one on my Mares hybrid pure BCD because of the pore design. So I've found some trim pockets that will fit on my waist strap, but they are not quick dumppable like the intergrated weight system. My qustion is does the weight have to be quick dumptable? thanks.

[@klixtrio7760]

Theres nothing wrong with the mares BCD. Some people think they fully inserted the pocket, but it did not LOCK with a click noise. Then they fall out sometime during the dive. Its a simple and easy thing to avoid, and the buddy check would also avoid this (BWRAF). I've only heard of people dropping weights at the surface, at the bottom I think it would be a very, very bad idea. It would be the very last thing I would do. The couple people I know who have dropped weights was because of a bladder leak in there bcd and could not maintain positive buoyancy. I'm not sure what you mean by trim pockets on your waist strap, but regardless you have to have some dumpable weight so you can ditch and float on the surface.

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

I started diving diving in 1958 (60 years ago!) and I've always worn a quick release weight belt. I've never used it!!! Now lots of divers I know have had to drop their weights for some reason (usually a dumb mistake) so quick release buckles are a good idea. Modern BCDs use a combination of quick release for the main weights and then some smaller trim weights that are not quick release. I'm going to suggest to you that it's a personal choice about quick release but that's it's good to be able to get rid of the weight without too much hassle if need be. Maybe not the best or clearest answer but that's the best I can do. BTW, I use those extra weight pockets on my BCD waist band. They do work well. Alec