I had an interesting day yesterday. I was gearing up for a dive off my kayak and had hung my sidemount bottle off the side while I got into my harness and clipped in my pony. When I came around to clip in my sidemount it wasn't there. Apparently I didn't fully engage the tether to the kayak and the movement caused it to disconnect. Long story short, after swimming back to shore and collecting another tank I retrieved my lost tank/regulator at a depth of 61'. When I turned the valve on to use it there was a blast of HP air. The second time I tried it I looked and a jet of HP air was coming from the small vent hole on the tank valve. Apparently the regulator DIN wheel was loose by about 1/2 to 3/4 a turn. A quick tightening and the HP leak was solved. The 2nd stage sounded very funny (wet) and breathed horribly until I had given it a good purge. After that it worked per normal and I used that tank to tow my kayak most of the way back to shore (too many tanks to come back in aboard the kayak).
I had tested the tank and regulator before setting out in the kayak and it worked fine with no leaks. I had closed the valve for the paddle out and left it charged (I think). I had planned on turning on the valve after clipping in, so it sank with the valve off. Has anyone had an uncharged tank/regulator loosen like this with depth?
It's pretty certain that water got into the 1st stage and then through the hose into the 2nd and that is why the initial gurgling sounds and poor performance. Needless to say the reg. is getting a good overhaul/cleaning.
I had tested the tank and regulator before setting out in the kayak and it worked fine with no leaks. I had closed the valve for the paddle out and left it charged (I think). I had planned on turning on the valve after clipping in, so it sank with the valve off. Has anyone had an uncharged tank/regulator loosen like this with depth?
It's pretty certain that water got into the 1st stage and then through the hose into the 2nd and that is why the initial gurgling sounds and poor performance. Needless to say the reg. is getting a good overhaul/cleaning.