Does anyone push their purge button on OOG drills?

[Graeme Tolton]

I don't purge my reg when donating it. Anybody who has managed to get though the second day of class should know how to purge a reg.

OTOH, I also won't try to stop a (no-deco) panicked diver on the way up, since stopping a truly panicked diver underwater is dangerous for both the victim and the "rescuer" with very little potential benefit.

Terry

I have never purged while donating, but reading that thread made me think about it more. In regards to getting through class, panic can be blind. especially if dive no 5 is 1 year after dive no 4. (I am not wanting to open the refresher discussion).

I try to prevent someone in distress/panic from going to the surface. However, I know when to let someone go and not hurt myself.

 

[Scott L]

It was a civil case not criminal. The court system was obviously trying to render an opionion based upon extreme scuba diving nuance. The case for immedding the diver progress to the surface had some merit IMO. The purging decision? Odd!

 

[Thalassamania]

I never push the purge, I always make sure that it is uncovered so the receiver may push it in case he or she feels the need.

 

[Scott L]

I never push the purge, I always make sure that it is uncovered so the receiver may push it in case he or she feels the need.

Thal, quick question along these lines. I was exhaling into larger SMB for deployment at depth a few months ago and inadvertently exhaled virtually every molucule or air. When I returned reg to my mouth I let in small amount of water into mouth. Scary as hell. I have to think that was a close one. Any thoughts on the subject other than not expelling that much breath again?

 

[Thalassamania]

Not to be flippant, but ... never exhale that much?

I inflate by mouth often (that's the way I often do my BC) and I just blow out the "top" half.

 

[Scott L]

Not to be flippant, but ... never exhale that much?

I inflate by mouth often (that's the way I often do my BC) and I just blow out the "top" half.

Yeah, some things are just that simple. I have since switched to non-mouth (Reg purged supplied) inflation SMB. Quicker and safer. H's brouchure & web-site suggests LP hose inflation with previous bag. After several of those CF deployments with all elements (reel, line, bag) too close to snagable items on my person that was quickly abandoned. Called EE they emphatically advised against the practice although it is still in all their literature. Just late night digression. Take care!

 

[DaleC]

I would be interested to know the depth they were at, the experience level of the student and the reason the instructor held the student down. If you accept it as written it does look like the instructor caused the death (though with exactly the opposite intention). If someone is inexperienced and in a blind panic they might not have developed the trust to believe that a reg will solve their problem. To them the surface is the only solution. If the panic is bad enough they will reject any other solution so holding the student down is tantimount to drowning them. I think the purge issue is secondary.
That's just speculation though as I don't know the details of the case.

What is the official line for instructors in such a scenario. Say, the first dives in OW class for example (or is there one)?

 

[Gombessa]

When I returned reg to my mouth I let in small amount of water into mouth. Scary as hell. I have to think that was a close one. Any thoughts on the subject other than not expelling that much breath again?

If you've got little/no breath left, one thing that helps me is to put the tip of my tongue up against the roof of my mouth - that acts as a dam against any water shooting down my throat on inhale.

 

[Cave Diver]

Thal, quick question along these lines. I was exhaling into larger SMB for deployment at depth a few months ago and inadvertently exhaled virtually every molucule or air. When I returned reg to my mouth I let in small amount of water into mouth. Scary as hell. I have to think that was a close one. Any thoughts on the subject other than not expelling that much breath again?

I'm not Thal, but I'll throw out an answer anyway.

Whenever I switch to a different reg, whether its backup, bailout, deco, whatever, I always block the mouthpiece with my tongue prior to inhaling. This greatly reduces the odds of you sucking down a lungful of water and causing a larynx spasm that closes off your airway.

YMMV.

 

[Cave Diver]

If you've got little/no breath left, one thing that helps me is to put the tip of my tongue up against the roof of my mouth - that acts as a dam against any water shooting down my throat on inhale.

Damn Gom answered while I was reading and typing!