Posted by Ken Kurtis on June 02, 2001 at 22:06:11:
In Reply to: ''Legal'' not at issue... posted by Bob3 on June 02, 2001 at 19:07:20:
Bob3 wrote: "Unless the bottle is used in interstate commerce, there's no law requiring a hydro in the US, much less a visual."
I don't think that's correct, unless you're defining "law" as strictly being a measure passed by the U.S. Congress.
There are certainly regulations mandated by D.O.T. regarding cylinders used for scuba diving that include mandatory hydro testing at least once every five years. These regulations carry the same wreight as law. And there's certainly at least an "industry standard" for the same thing, which would have the same relative effect.
As far as Steve's original question goes, by definition a tank that has passed a hydro inspection has also passed a VIP (in others words, clean inside). So if the hydro date is within one year, the VIP sticker is superfluous. However, some shops may choose not to fill the stickerless tank, even with a less-than-a-year-old hydro stamp.
Easier to go back to the original hydro store and ask for a duplicate sticker. (They should have a record of the hydro/VIP.)
Ken Kurtis
NAUI Instr. #5936
Co-owner, Reef Seekers Dive Co.
Beverly Hills, Ca.