Opinions on drysuit dump valve placement

dbgordon · Feb 4, 2005

I'd like to hear some DIR diver opinions on drysuit dump valve placement. I dive with some folks who have their dump valve on their left inside wrist, oposite the watch position. They say it makes dumping air easier when they are in the horizontal position, makes getting your suit on and off easier, and they highly recommend putting the dump valve there.

Then, there is obviously the standard location on the left outside shoulder.

Does anyone here have some opinions for or against either which they'd be willing to share with me?

Thanks,
-Dan Gordon

Snowbear · Feb 4, 2005

My Diving concepts suit came with the dump valve on the L bicep. I have to roll sideways or be vertical for it to dump. Since I'm having some other work done on the suit anyway, I'm having them move it to the L forearm position. I sure hope I'm gonna like it that way :11:

Dryglove · Feb 4, 2005

On my last drysuit i had the exhaust valve relocated from the shoulder area to my left forearm. Although the dump was located closer to the bicep than i cared for the forearm dump was much easier to dump than the shoulder mounted one.

On my new custom DC ultraflex pro i am back to a shoulder dump and DC placed it in a manner where it works nicely for horizontal ascending. I was originally gonna have it mounted on my forearm but was considered a custom location and would have to chalk the valve where i wanted it which would take a few extra weeks and i was too inpatient to wait any longer although the suit went back anyways as the sleeves were to short......who'd figure

Here is a link to my new suit with the shoulder valve. I only have about 4 dives on this suit so far and no complaints with venting air in the current location. http://www.scubaboard.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/13735/cat/500/page/1

By the way, if i had to do it again i would go with the forearm dump as it is way easy to dump expanding air and you can visually see that it is working.

Uncle Pug · Feb 4, 2005

can you reach it with your right hand?

Dryglove · Feb 4, 2005

Uncle Pug:
can you reach it with your right hand?

Yep, although i do have to reach a bit but it is no problem. Gotta love that stretch undergarment.

Oops just noticed that this was the DIR forum and i am not exactly DIR but do admire them

jagfish · Feb 5, 2005

Had mine moved to the left forearm...

Love it there, so much easier for me to vent...

JAG

dbgordon · Feb 5, 2005

Thanks for the opinions so far folks. I'm kind of surprised so far that the majority are for the forearm location.

Have any of you experienced any problems with accidental venting or tangling while dealing with your light cord, long hose, stage bottles, scooters, etc that you wouldn't have experienced if it was on your shoulder? Anyone have reason not to have it there?

Thanks for the great feedback so far.

-Dan

Dan Gibson · Feb 5, 2005

I'd say that placement is a little bit off and would be tough to dump. It should be closer to in line with the thumb when you twist your wrist so the thumb is pointed up.

My DC is just a tiny bit off in the direction you mention. No too far, but I find it harder to dump than others who got lucky when DC actually placed it correctly. From my experience, this has been a typical hit or miss item by the manufacturer.

dbgordon:
I dive with some folks who have their dump valve on their
left inside wrist, oposite the watch position.

Dan Gibson · Feb 5, 2005

If you get the small flapper valve, there is nothing that will accidentally be pressed.

dbgordon:
Thanks for the opinions so far folks. I'm kind of surprised so far that the majority are for the forearm location.

Have any of you experienced any problems with accidental venting or tangling while dealing with your light cord, long hose, stage bottles, scooters, etc that you wouldn't have experienced if it was on your shoulder? Anyone have reason not to have it there?

Thanks for the great feedback so far.

-Dan

jagfish · Feb 5, 2005

dbgordon:
Thanks for the opinions so far folks. I'm kind of surprised so far that the majority are for the forearm location.

Have any of you experienced any problems with accidental venting or tangling while dealing with your light cord, long hose, stage bottles, scooters, etc that you wouldn't have experienced if it was on your shoulder? Anyone have reason not to have it there?

Thanks for the great feedback so far.

-Dan

No problems with accidental venting (so far). However, would have to say that "real estate" in that vicinity is scarce for a DIR configuration. Wearing a wrist compass and then using an 18 watt light with the long ballast assembly can get a bit busy in the left wrist area...but not prohibitively so...

Opinions on drysuit dump valve placement

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dbgordon

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Snowbear

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Uncle Pug

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jagfish

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Dan Gibson

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