Mismatched cylinder and valve cause fatal accident

New information on a fatal accident in the Netherlands reveals that the cause of the tragic incident was a misalignment of the cylinder and valve.

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A big stir in the diving community was caused by a very An unusual accident that occurred at a swimming pool in Amstelveen. As a result of injuries sustained during the incident, a diving instructor died. The case itself, due to the very unusual circumstances, from the beginning raised many questions and conjectures among the diving community.

As it turned out, the cause of the accident was said to be a mismatched valve for the diving cylinder used by the victim. Initial information said that during a class at the De Meerkamp pool complex, the cylinder exploded in the instructor’s hands over the edge of the pool. Rescuers then transported the man to the hospital, where he died as a result of his injuries.

An investigation by the Dutch labor inspectorate found that the cylinder did not actually explode. The specialists’ findings indicate that a valve came loose, which fired from the cylinder located on the instructor’s back. All wrong by the fit between the cylinder and the valve.

A cylinder with a G3/4 female thread was used, to which a valve with an M25x2 male thread was matched. The valve thread was slightly smaller than the thread in the cylinder, which led to loosening of the valve under high pressure. Unfortunately, the difference in size is so small that without careful inspection and relevant experience, it may seem that they fit together and everything is just fine.

Therefore, it is elementary that diving equipment should always be thoroughly checked by a qualified person. Sometimes small details that can escape the untrained eye can lead to tragedy.

A full-face mask is undoubtedly an increasingly popular piece of equipment in recreational divers. What are its characteristics and what is worth knowing about it? You will learn more from the text we published in the 18th issue DIVERS24 quarterly! The digital version of the magazine is available free of charge, while you can purchase the printed version in our online store.