Emergency ascent with a stuck inflator

[dumpsterDiver]

Some good advice. Another option is to buy an AIR 2 type inflator which uses a significantly larger mechanism on the house so it is easier to manipulate with gloves on.

 

[Blue Sparkle]

I would think it would be too slow and too clumsy to cinch off the air flow like that.... if you even could. The water pressure in your garden hose is probably 2-3 bar. In the LP hose it's 10 bar and the hose is much stiffer.

and just to be clear it's not the inflator hose you'd have to bend double. It's the low-pressure hose that's attached to it.

Thanks Diver0001.

Yeah, I should have specified that it would be the low-pressure hose, and I did think it would probably be too pressurized to work just pinching it off. But I wasn't sure since I'm pretty new to diving. Thanks for your response.

B.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

Crimping a hose is not difficult to do, even under pressure. I had a sticky valve once. My first reaction was to grab the inflator button and twist it free. That solved the problem. When I got home I soaked the valve in vinager. I would definately remove any whistle, Air2 or anything else in the way and give them to Goodwill. Simple is always better.
As far as depth goes, had it happened at a greater depth you would have had more time to solve the problem. The greatest change in pressure is in the top 33 feet. A rapid ascent from shallow water can be more deadly than a deep ascent.

 

[costi]

Thanks guys for the input. Just a couple of returns: Diver0001, No it was not a Hlycon. It was a Sherwood Avid.
A few people mentioned leaving it in my pocket, but I can't see me in trouble on the surface fumbling in my pocket to hook up the thing. I'll leave it inline, but try one of those hats.
BoulderJohn: Yes, my bc does dump if I pull the inflator hose and thanks for the tip. I check it every now and then to see if is still working, but I consider pulling on my inflator hose a last resort and use either my rear or shoulder dump. I just have it in my head that it is "wrong" to pull on my inflator though I know that it was designed to be able to do so.
Web Monkey:No, I don't have a combination inflator/alternate second but I can see how a Dive alert horn, and a combination inflator/alternate second could be a cluster.It is reassuring though to know that the dump lets out faster than the inflator will let in.

 

[paddler3d]

Thanks Diver0001.

Yeah, I should have specified that it would be the low-pressure hose, and I did think it would probably be too pressurized to work just pinching it off. But I wasn't sure since I'm pretty new to diving. Thanks for your response.

B.

There was a thread in the last 60 days where someone had done this successfully. His question was if he ruined his LP hose. To my surprise consensus was his hose was fine!

If I find the link I'll post it back here.

Found it...

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ne...diving/319841-free-flowing-reg-procedure.html

 

[RJP]

Some good advice. Another option is to buy an AIR 2 type inflator which uses a significantly larger mechanism on the house so it is easier to manipulate with gloves on.

 

[oly5050user]

Timely that this issue came up..A student of mine had this issue on a training dive she completed on a referral that I issued her. During her confined water session I explained that if the inflator gets stuck to release lp hose and get buoyancy control.There would be no real need to end the dive,just inflate orally and continue dive.Explained that it happens more often
with rented than personally owned gear that may get better care. Well it happened to her and was no big deal.Her instructor sent me an email explaining the incident and how well she handled it..Oh,she was an 11 year old girl.....

 

[Buoyant1]

Yup - work perfectly.

But....they unfortunately don't fit on every hose! (damn it! $3-5 dollar fix vs. $25 for a new hose!) Dry suit inflator hoses work as well...just a little more 'spensive!

 

[vladimir]

This might help you properly maintain the power inflator:

https://www.deepseasupply.com/index.php?product=1301

 

[scubafanatic]

But....they unfortunately don't fit on every hose! (damn it! $3-5 dollar fix vs. $25 for a new hose!) Dry suit inflator hoses work as well...just a little more 'spensive!

...well, the good news is I can confirm they DO fit MIFLEX BC hoses just fine!