Regulator Free Flow
- Thread starter Frank Belvin Sr.
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Caveeagle
Contributor
I think some of these suggestions are just a distraction from the OP's issue. ...Anxiety around a potential free-flow. Plugging or installing an on/off valve is just putting a Band-Aid on a bullet wound if you have no understanding of why it is happening.
The valve wont really help you if you have a blown HP seat. It will just start venting from your other 2nd stage or OPV.
The mouthpiece plug might stop the symptoms from a oversensitive or malfunctioning 2nd stage, but you still need to get to the surface, and you might be able to stop the free-flow if you know anything about how your reg adjustments work.
The immediate solve needs to be to help the OP overcome the fear of this.
The valve wont really help you if you have a blown HP seat. It will just start venting from your other 2nd stage or OPV.
The mouthpiece plug might stop the symptoms from a oversensitive or malfunctioning 2nd stage, but you still need to get to the surface, and you might be able to stop the free-flow if you know anything about how your reg adjustments work.
The immediate solve needs to be to help the OP overcome the fear of this.
undrwater
Contributor
Understanding how the regulator works can mitigate that. Also, further training or practice.
I have two octo's regulator second stages (Mares) here in front of me that free flow like mad and nothing will stop the free flow. One of them goes into uncontrollable free flow as soon the air is turned on and the other will go into uncontrolled free flow if the purge button is pressed. Both free flows won't stop unless the air is turned off. There is nothing wrong with their respective first stages since other octos work just fine with these first stages and the problem still exists when these free flowing octos are connected to other first stages that are also working OK. No flipping or finger covering or any other maneuver can stop the free flows at all except turning air off at the tank valve.
These octo's need to be checked and serviced and some parts will need to be replaced for them to work properly for sure.
For the OP, if you are concerned about an uncontrolled free flow from you main reg. or its octo and you can't stop this free flow as in the case of these two Octo's I have when diving at the depth that is too deep for you to be able to make it to the surface due to running out of air (unstoppable free flow is a cause to terminate the dive and ascend immediately to the surface), you should use a pony bottle with enough capacity to give you enough air to do a safety stop and get back up to the surface considering your dive profile and depth.
These octo's need to be checked and serviced and some parts will need to be replaced for them to work properly for sure.
For the OP, if you are concerned about an uncontrolled free flow from you main reg. or its octo and you can't stop this free flow as in the case of these two Octo's I have when diving at the depth that is too deep for you to be able to make it to the surface due to running out of air (unstoppable free flow is a cause to terminate the dive and ascend immediately to the surface), you should use a pony bottle with enough capacity to give you enough air to do a safety stop and get back up to the surface considering your dive profile and depth.
Caveeagle
Contributor
Burhan.... This is one reason why I dislike "Octos". Which I assume is a lesser quality 2nd stage designed to hang around dormant unless there is an emergency. Right? It sounds like you have either a demand valve issue, or you have a high pressure seat issue pushing your IP up past what your 2nd stages can hold.
Having two matching 2nd stages allows you the ability to compare to units that should be functionally similar. With a mismatched set, its harder to figure out what's going on here.
Having two matching 2nd stages allows you the ability to compare to units that should be functionally similar. With a mismatched set, its harder to figure out what's going on here.
to the Op - lets reflect back on your training... Can you breathe off a free flowing reg? Are you planning your gas, at least in thirds and with a reserve? Do you dive with a buddy who subscribes to the same? If you are diving cold water, do you have the appropriate regulators? Is your equipment properly maintained?
If "yes" to these questions, you likely can handle the situation. There are choices to make if/when it happens, and think about what you need to do. If "no", then you need to investigate where you are "failing" these questions, and address them.
If "yes" to these questions, you likely can handle the situation. There are choices to make if/when it happens, and think about what you need to do. If "no", then you need to investigate where you are "failing" these questions, and address them.
R
redacted
Guest
It is possible to have too much venturi effect.
With Mares, a little crimp in the air bypass tube might fix it if a correct adjustmrnt fails to correct it. (Don't do it)
With Mares, a little crimp in the air bypass tube might fix it if a correct adjustmrnt fails to correct it. (Don't do it)
I've had one free-flow at depth. I was at 70 ft in a cold quarry, just a few minutes into a dive on my initial descent. I alerted my two buddies to carry on, and I ascended alone, breathing from the free-flowing reg. I made a 1 min safety stop at the platform, then surfaced. I had 200 psi left. If the gas had not allowed it, I would have skipped the safety stop.
The point is, the gas goes away REALLY FAST from a low-pressure hose...you've got 1.5-4 minutes (depending on depth) before your tank empties. So don't dally....get going to the surface, preferably WITH a buddy that has air for you if needed.
The point is, the gas goes away REALLY FAST from a low-pressure hose...you've got 1.5-4 minutes (depending on depth) before your tank empties. So don't dally....get going to the surface, preferably WITH a buddy that has air for you if needed.
+1 for the video tursiops linked; I viewed it recently as homework for an upcoming course, and it's worth viewing. Here's the link on vimeo, if the direct link to Advanced Diving Mag doesn't work:
Also, here's the bottom line:
Also, here's the bottom line:
halocline
Contributor
I'm surprised that of all the things to worry about, you have focused on a free flowing regulator. Don't take that the wrong way, I'm not making fun or being a jerk. It's just that I've never considered free flows to be a big concern if it does happen, or even a high possibility of happening in the first place.
I worry about lots of other things before I worry about free flows
I realize you were not being critical, but IMO a regulator free flow at depth IS worth worrying about, because it is the most likely way to lose your gas quickly, and it can be pretty dramatic and noisy, which is likely to be stressful for a new diver.
Most free flows can be stopped relatively easily by stopping the flow of air out the mouthpiece, but not all. Sometimes when a high performance 2nd stage really gets flowing, there's enough venturi assist to keep it blowing right out the exhaust valve. And the deeper you are, the greater the venturi assist because the flowing air is denser.
Probably the best way to stop a really bad one is to switch to your alternate, point the mouthpiece down, and stick your thumb in it, then turn the reg over so the exhaust valve is down, and try to cover up the exhaust tee. But some free flows are caused by 1st stage failure and there's nothing you can do about those. Fortunately, they are pretty rare.
OP, one thing you might try to reduce your anxiety is to start a free flow at some moderate depth while sharing air with a trusted buddy, maybe your instructor. Practice stopping it. If it's uncontrollable, head for the surface. You'd of course want to do this in a very controlled environment, and it's really best to not let the tank go completely empty. That's especially true with a steel tank.
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