THE TANK AS A WATCH FACE    

Proper placement of all elements on a stage tank is crucial for executing the gas switch procedure outlined in the GUE SOP and taught in GUE courses such as Tech 1, Cave 2, and Rec 3. To ensure consistency and accuracy, the stage kit, stage regulator, and related stickers must be positioned correctly in relation to the tank valve. When looking at the tank from above, imagine a clock face with the valve opening at 12 o’clock. The stage kit and regulator should be placed at this position. MOD stickers are positioned at 3 and 9 o’clock just below the shoulder of the tank so they are readable from both sides. Be careful not to mount the stickers upside down as the tank will hang with the valve pointing upwards. MOD stickers indicate the Maximum Operating Depth of the tank and only consist of a number, such as “21” indicating a 50% decompression gas breathable from 21 m/70 ft. The only exception is the 100% oxygen tank, which has a “6” (metric) or “20” (imperial) plus the word “oxygen” written on it.

The analysis sticker should be placed at 3 o’clock where it is readable by the diver carrying the tank. A name sticker can also be added to identify the ownership of the tank, which is helpful on a dive boat or during filling. In a cave diving scenario where multiple tanks may be staged during entry, it aids in quickly identifying the tanks on exit. The name sticker is irrelevant when the stage is mounted on the diver, so it is placed at 6 o’clock where it is out of sight. A visual inspection sticker (VIP) is mandatory in some areas. That should also be placed at 6 o’clock since the VIP information is completely unnecessary during the dive.