Venting a BCD

[String]

So far, not one person has defended my basic premise, which is this- if you're horizontal, use your rear dumps. If your vertical, use your hose, and if pulling the velcro tab hose router helps empty the bladder, then do it! I guess I must be wrong.

Vertical use the shoulder dump or if fitted pull hose dump. OR just go horizontal and use the lower dump and yes this does work on the surface.

Pulling the velcro is not how to do it. IF the bcd fits properly it should be so high as to fit on the top of the shoulder so not benefit from going higher.Also runs the risk of losing it, getting tangled behind and so on. Its there for a reason.

 

[Nick_W]

So far, not one person has defended my basic premise, which is this- if you're horizontal, use your rear dumps. If your vertical, use your hose, and if pulling the velcro tab hose router helps empty the bladder, then do it! I guess I must be wrong.

You're 100% right. Where you run into problems is when you meet these people who somehow got the idea that a diver should never, ever, under any circumstances be vertical in the water.

Like I said, if you're a certified diver and you've found a way that is more comfortable for you and it still gets the job done safely, knock yourself out. That's my opinion anyway.

 

[Nick_W]

Vertical use the shoulder dump or if fitted pull hose dump. OR just go horizontal and use the lower dump and yes this does work on the surface.

Pulling the velcro is not how to do it. IF the bcd fits properly it should be so high as to fit on the top of the shoulder so not benefit from going higher.Also runs the risk of losing it, getting tangled behind and so on. Its there for a reason.

How would you lose the inflator hose? It isn't going anywhere. Also, the way most of them are designed, the hose wouldn't go behind the BC. I agree with you that if it fits right you shouldn't have to be undoing the velcro, but I don't really think its the end of the world if you do have to.

 

[Buoyant1]

I've never kept the hose under the velcro strap..in fact that was one of the first things an instructor told me do do when I started. He said it was easier to get the hose up higher to vent it.

just my 2psi

 

[Blackwood]

If you're truly neutral, you HAVE to swim up

... umm

I know, I know, bigger breath, rise naturally.

Whew!

It just gets my dander up when someone makes a blanket statement like "You should NEVER need to vent your BC with your hose." (emphasis mine) An experienced diver can use every tool at his disposal to achieve the end result, and IIRC, this thread started with someone wondering HOW to vent their BC....
I hear and understand all the other arguments about horizontal trim, I just happen to like hanging motionless, vertical, zipping along in the current at 15 feet looking at everybody else around me, and up at the surface. If that means that my head decompresses a little less than my feet, so be it.

Like I said, I'm not in the mood for a good/bad/wrong/right discussion.

If I'm reading the above quote right, I assume you are doing drift dives ("zipping along in the current"). I suppose in that case being vertical would aid in following the boat.

So far, not one person has defended my basic premise, which is this- if you're horizontal, use your rear dumps. If your vertical, use your hose, and if pulling the velcro tab hose router helps empty the bladder, then do it! I guess I must be wrong.

I don't think your basic premise needs defending.

 

[Aspendiver]

I don't think your basic premise needs defending.

Thanks. The OP wanted to know how to vent their BC (New diver thread)
When subsequent posters start saying things like "you should never need to use your inflator hose to vent" (I'm not saying that isn't defendable, or even a worthwhile goal) I feel that a new diver might be confused by information that probably was counter to how he was/is being trained. This is a newbie thread, and we're supposed to be helpful and encouraging!

 

[Ed Palma]

See, that's why I didn't say "all". I knew there would be someone out there who would know of a BC that didn't have it.

I should've made myself clear I was referring to post 42 with the phrase "EVERY BCD."

Cheers!

 

[Bobyjimmie]

Aspen, I might be! LMAO

 

[Likes2Cruise]

Thanks. The OP wanted to know how to vent their BC (New diver thread)
When subsequent posters start saying things like "you should never need to use your inflater hose to vent" (I'm not saying that isn't defendable, or even a worthwhile goal) I feel that a new diver might be confused by information that probably was counter to how he was/is being trained. This is a newbie thread, and we're supposed to be helpful and encouraging!

Thanks Aspen - and thanks everyone.
Luckily, before diving I spent many hours reading various gaming boards so have learned that everyones opinion is basically "The Gospel According to ME" in their opinion and should always be taken with some logical thought and a bite off a salt lick.

My instructor was very clear: You should never use the dump valved for ascent or descent. And even in my limited experience, I know that is not Gospel either. He also instructed that both ascents and descents are performed 'heads up'

Someone asked about doing buoyancy check - yes, multiple times and the 18lbs in saltwater should be fine based on that - I'm about 12-13lbs with about 2600psi tank.

Also of note, when I'm adjusting at the bottom and adding a little air to achieve neutral buoyancy, it seems that when I do vent coming up I'm not seeing much come out. that's why I think I have issues with venting all of the air.

 

[EastcoastdiverLLC]

What type of BCD are you using and does it have multiple dumps?