Quote Originally Posted by Gary View Post
VIP+ was invented because of those tanks / alloy. It is a requirement to keep them in service. Other Aluminum tanks VIP+ is a good idea but not required (if I understand correctly).
Gary knows so much more about diving than me that I feel like a real goober correcting him, but this is one of my areas of expertise, so...

First, the nomenclature is incorrect. VIP+ is a visual inspection coupled with a valve rebuild, first trademarked by NASDS and assumed by SSI in the merger (although SSI allowed the trademark to expire). The eddy current test sold by Advanced Inspection Technologies is called "VisualPlus." Sounds similar, but not the same.

Second, in the instruction manual for the VisualPlus, it specifically states that it is not to be done on 6061 aluminum (the current alloy Luxfer and Catalina use), as it may cause false positives.

We have a dandy little device for looking for cracks in necks that is a lighted magnifier/mirror. I use it on all visuals, even steel cylinders. Only the 6351 and 6495 cylinders get inspected by the VisualPlus. If you ask my opinion, they should be sold for scrap, but the bossman tells customers we'll do them, and it's ten bucks for me. Here's the clincher, though: I'll fill them right after I inspect one, but not again unless I inspect it again. We have enough divemasters hanging around the shop that do fills. (I know, that's irresponsible, but my hands are tied. I personally advise the customer to trash it, but people are idiots.)