Draeger-Normalair Pillar Valve Leak
Incident Date
1980-02-06
Incident Description
1980 - During some of the exploratory dives in a multi-sump river cave using Draeger- Normalair international thread fitting (DIN) cylinders there were at least three instances of a backward leak due to failure to expand of the washer between the gland nut and the spindle.
Lessons Learned
This could be cured by turning the tap full on which compresses this washer. However it is then difficult and time consuming to turn the bottle off should a leak develop in other parts of the appartus.
| Factors |
|
| Line Management |
Negligible |
| Gas Management |
Negligible |
| Equipment Management |
Minor |
| Equipment Failure |
Major |
| Training |
Minor |
| Medical |
Negligible |
| Planning |
Negligible |
| Procedural Error |
Negligible |
| Cave Environment |
Negligible |
| Weather |
Negligible |
| Other Factor |
Unknown |
