Longer BC corrugated hose

1982shawn · Sep 16, 2012

Ok so i got to the quarry and tested out all my new gear. The BP/W works great and i already like i MUCH better than those weird jackets. The biggest problem i had today was the length of the inflator and i dont mean just the low pressure line but also the corrugated hose. I looked at the replacement hoses online and the longest one i can find is 22". I have NOT gotten a chance to measure the current hose but i estimated that an hose 10" longer would be perfect. Any ideas/suggestions? What are my options if i need a hose longer than the standard sizes listed online?

j2s · Sep 16, 2012

There are about 3 different types of corrugated hoses; small round, elliptical and larger round.....OMS makes the longest corrugated hose 19", although there may be another manufacture that makes longer ones, the others you can get in 12" and 16"....To be stream-lined you'll have to match the bc/inflator hose to which ever corrugated hose works best for you so they lay flat by your shoulder harness....Keep in mind the inflator will add a little additional length to the corrugated hose when choosing the bc/inflator hose length.....Leisurepro, Divegearexpress and Northeastscubasupply have good selections of both in different lengths.....I prefer to have the bc inflator connector [female part] separate from the hose....Easier to clean and can be attached to any lp hose in case you want to change hose lengths or go from Miflex to standard rubber hose.......

BabyDuck · Sep 16, 2012

i bet you can get longer if you want it, and i'm not trying to tell you don't.

but live with it a bit. bungee or inner tube it to your strap so you always know where it is, and see if you end up liking it shorter. now, i'm not talking about forever, but give it 5 or 6 more dives before you decide. see if you like it when you get new muscle memory, because i bet that's the problem now - you're just used to it being longer, so it's not where you're looking for it.

then if you really want it longer, go for it.

DA Aquamaster · Sep 16, 2012

Yes, shorter is generally better.

lowviz · Sep 16, 2012

Longer than 16" begins to give you issues when dumping air...

TSandM · Sep 16, 2012

Any time you change something, it takes a while to get used to it. The shorter corrugated hose is quite manageable, once your hands figure out where the inflator actually IS.

On the other hand, though, if you have left the shoulder straps too loose and the whole rig is sitting way down on your back, the short hose can get pulled down to where the inflator is barely making it over your shoulder. That's very uncomfortable. I would highly recommend having someone either look at you underwater and let you know what it looks like, or even better, take a photograph of your rig as you are diving. It may be that some quick adjustments will make matters much better.

1982shawn · Sep 16, 2012

Sorry guys and gals i dont think i was very clear. When i say short i mean it barely reachs my shoulder and was often falling behind me where i had a very ahrd time reaching it.

TSandM i understand how that might be a problem, i had the DM look at it and my rig was sitting all the way(i tend to keep my straps TIGHT) I think my massive shoulders and back make the shorter hose a big problem for me. IM heading home in a bit and will be measuring the corrugated hose when i get home.

lowviz · Sep 16, 2012

Step #1: have someone in the know adjust your harness and properly tighten your crotch strap, then return to post #3.

redacted · Sep 16, 2012

What problem do you have using your current hoses? Are you using an octo/inflator or a standard inflator?

TSandM · Sep 16, 2012

If it is actually falling behind your shoulder, the problem may not be the hose length, but the method you are using to secure it.

I dive with a guy who is about 6'4" and does construction for a living. He uses a Halcyon setup with a short corrugated hose, and has no problem reaching it. So I think your conformation would have to be very extreme to make it not be a solvable problem.

Longer BC corrugated hose

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1982shawn

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