Air bubbles out my nose when I breathe...

[mbram]

I'm a new diver, my regs are Oceanic FDX first stage and Delta 4.1 second stage. The 4.1 has a pre-dive/dive selector lever and an adjustment knob for inhalation effort. When I breathe in, as soon as the reg "cracks" it feels like there is positive pressure pushing the air into my lungs as opposed to me inhaling the air. This positive pressure causes air to bubble out my nose, which eventually allows water in to mask that I have to clear. It's more an annoyance than anything, I just want to find out if maybe there's a simple solution I'm overlooking.

I can't tell a difference between pre-dive and dive when I switch back and forth underwater. The adjustment knob increases the effort it takes to initially "crack" the reg, but once it opens the air is pushed into my face.

If I concentrate on it I can reduce and sometimes eliminate the amount of air that comes through my nose, but if I'm just breathing normally it's very annoying.

 

[helimvee]

I have the same reg and have not experienced what you describe, but everyone describes things differently. As a new diver, it could be that you are not used to the experience.

How does it function when you are not in the water?

Has this been happening since first use?

I would suggest that you have a talk with your LDS about it. They can look it over to ensure it is working properly. They can also make sure that you have it properly adjusted. If it checks out okay, ask if they will try it out in the pool to see if they experience the same thing. If that is not possible try renting a reg and see if the same thing happens with the rental reg.

 

[mbram]

How does it function when you are not in the water?

Has this been happening since first use?

Out of the water it feels like breathing normally, there is no positive pressure. As soon as I'm submerged that changes.

Yes, it's been happening since first use. I will admit that I ordered the regs/octo/computer as a package from Scubatoys and trusted that they had set it up correctly. I'll take it in to my LDS and have it looked at, the octo needs some adjusting too as it freeflows a little after breathing from it.

 

[Levigarrett]

I have an Oceanic EOS which is very similar. I really like the reg and while the breathing effort can sometimes seem almost too easy, it's nothing like you describe. I agree with the other poster, take it in to an authorized service provider and have it looked at.

 

[Tortuga68]

This positive pressure causes air to bubble out my nose, which eventually allows water in to mask that I have to clear

How do you clear the water in your mask?

 

[mbram]

How do you clear the water in your mask?

Same way I assume everyone else does, by tilting the bottom of the mask slightly away from my face and exhaling through my nose. This allows the water to escape from the bottom of the mask as the air displaces it.

If your point was that me saying air coming out of my nose allowed water in to the mask is counter intuitive since blowing air out of one's nose is a key element in clearing water OUT of a mask, not tilting the mask while exhaling allows the air to escape from the top of the mask, which allows water to trickle in to the mask slowly.

 

[Dave1981]

Do you find you tend to breathe out through your mouth also while clearing your mask? I think a little practise with airway control may help. No Mask breathing for a while in shallow water may help.

 

[Tortuga68]

If your point was that me saying air coming out of my nose allowed water in to the mask is counter intuitive since blowing air out of one's nose is a key element in clearing water OUT of a mask, not tilting the mask while exhaling allows the air to escape from the top of the mask, which allows water to trickle in to the mask slowly.

Indeed. Your OP sounds like a breathing issue rather than a regulator issue though IMO. It's common for new divers to exhale through the nose unintentionally. The act of inhaling and exhaling soley with your mouth is not normal and takes some practice to get used to

 

[mbram]

Do you find you tend to breathe out through your mouth also while clearing your mask? I think a little practise with airway control may help. No Mask breathing for a while in shallow water may help.

No, and breathing without a mask is no problem. I also have no problem exhaling only through my nose when I want to.

Indeed. Your OP sounds like a breathing issue rather than a regulator issue though IMO. It's common for new divers to exhale through the nose unintentionally. The act of inhaling and exhaling soley with your mouth is not normal and takes some practice to get used to

I think I see where the confusion's coming from, I wasn't really clear in my OP. The air bubbles out my nose when I INHALE, not when I exhale.

 

[WeldonDowd]

I know exactly what your talking about Mbram. Its not your breathing technique or anything else your not doing right; your reg just breaths a little too easy. It probably flows air pretty bad when you remove it from your mouth at depth. Just find someone who can adjust it slightly.