Do I need prior certification to enroll?

No formal certification is required, but familiarity with scuba equipment and basic mechanical skills make the day more productive.

Is the tool kit included?

No—students must bring their own inspection tools; starter kits are available for purchase through the shop starting at $150.

How many students are in each class?

Classes are limited to four people maximum to ensure hands-on practice and individualized feedback.

Does the course cover nitrox fills?

Yes—fill-station operations include safe procedures for air and nitrox, gas analysis, and labeling protocols.

What documentation will I receive?

Students receive instructor evaluations, feedback, and guidance for maintaining inspection logs and VIP sticker records in compliance with DOT/shop audits.

Punta Gorda Cylinder Safety: Visual Inspection Certification C.A.T. Course | Workshop

Q: Will I be certified to perform repairs?

The C.A.T. trains inspection and assessment; it does not authorize advanced repairs or hydrostatic testing unless you obtain separate manufacturer or regulator certification.

On Florida’s Gulf Coast in Punta Gorda, the Visual Inspection Certification compresses a full spectrum of high-pressure cylinder safety into a single day. The Cylindex Cylinder Assessment Technician (C.A.T.) Course runs eight hours in a working dive shop near Charlotte Harbor and covers external and internal examinations, valve service, oxygen cleaning, and practical fill-station operations. It is designed for anyone who handles cylinders—shop staff, dive pros, and serious divers—who need system-level competence and reliable documentation.

The day is structured with short modules and significant bench time. Morning sessions focus on visual methodology: step-by-step external checks, internal inspections using lights and borescopes, and criteria for corrosion, heat damage, and internal contamination. Midday moves into valve work: thread inspection, basic disassembly, O-ring replacement, and proper torque. After lunch participants learn oxygen-cleaning protocols, approved solvents, and handling to prevent contamination. Each station combines demonstration, paired practice, and instructor critique. Real-world scenarios follow afterward.

The final afternoon covers fill-station safety and documentation. Students practice safe fills for air and nitrox, learn to minimize heat during pressurization, and operate analyzers to confirm gas blends. The course also teaches logs, VIP sticker application, and how to create defensible inspection records that stand up under DOT or shop audits. Small class sizes mean every student completes at least one full inspection sequence and receives personalized feedback on technique and record keeping directly.

Who should attend is straightforward: dive shop technicians, fill-station operators, instructors who oversee gear programs, and advanced learners wanting documented competence. There are prerequisites: attendees must supply their own inspection tool kits to participate fully; starter packages are available through the shop beginning at $150. The course contains important disclaimers about scope—certification trains inspection and assessment but does not authorize advanced repairs or hydrostatic testing unless separately certified by manufacturers or regulators. Depth Finder’s Scuba.

The locale matters. Punta Gorda’s proximity to Charlotte Harbor and mangrove shorelines means local operators run fills for frequent charters, search-and-rescue teams, and recreational divers exploring Gulf wrecks and reefs. Properly serviced cylinders help protect that boating and diving economy. Expect shop-floor realism rather than classroom theory: live equipment, real cylinders showing wear, and scenario-driven problem solving that prepares technicians to spot subtle signs of corrosion, thread damage, contamination, and improper labeling and shop documentation.

Booking practical training in Punta Gorda is pragmatic: small groups, targeted skills, and immediate applicability. The course closes with instructor evaluations, a review of legal and shop responsibilities, and guidance for next steps in certification or shop integration. Bring PPE, inspection lights, a basic mechanical kit, and readiness to work. Whether you service cylinders for charters, teach divers, or manage a fill station, this Visual Inspection Certification turns regulatory theory into dependable daily practice now.