Why It's Not A Good Idea To Use Hose Protectors!

[TracyN]

This picture shows why it is not a good idea to have hose protectors on your regulator hoses. You cannot clearly see if any damage has been done to the hose. This LP hose blew on me at the end of a cave dive. We had just finished a very long cave dive complete with saftey stop and literally as my head broke the surface of the water, kaboom LP hose explosion. I've never seen air escape so fast. If it had to blow this was the perfect time for it to go because this could easily have happened at our max penetration and we were pretty far back into the cave. I am sure I have dive angels watching over me. I probably would have been OK since I was sidemount and still would have had the reserve of one tank and the ability to feather the valve of the bad tank but it would not have been a fun experience for me or my buddy. In OW this would have most likely been an air sharing event. At no time during the dive was there any sign of hose issues, not even a bubble. From outside appearances the hose was fine. If I had to take a guess I'm guessing the pressure at depth had something to do with preventing the hose from blowing but as soon as the pressure was released by surfacing the hose blew.

DSCN02341 - - ScubaBoard Gallery

 

[Karl_H]

This works both ways though right? The hose protector also protects hoses from damage as well as concealing it? I think the real lesson is make sure you check and maintain equipment correctly if you use hose protectors, not a general "don’t use them"?

I don’t use them by the way, but I don’t think they are necessarily a bad thing, especially for long hoses in a sidemount configuration when the hose can be subjected to a lot of pulling around the crimp.

 

[tplyons]

As part of my pre-dive procedures, I pull my hose protectors down and inspect the hoses from end to end. I'm a firm believer in using them, but it does not avoid the need for complete inspection.

Glad to hear everything worked out for you!

 

[NAM001]

You being side mount made the problem identification quick. Good job. I am sure recovery was jsut as fast. This exact prooblem keeps me thinkng about side mount for myself.

 

[TracyN]

You being side mount made the problem identification quick. Good job. I am sure recovery was jsut as fast.

Yah it was very easy to shut down the valve which is one of the main reasons I love sidemount

 

[Searcaigh]

Never seen that happen before, I do check mine regularly but not before every dive.

How old are the hoses? Any possible stress related due to positioning? Was it to a second stage or LP inflator?

 

[GrumpyOldGuy]

I remove mine also. Almost every leak I have seen is near the hose end. The theory I think is it can get kinked there if abused causing a weakness. The problem is the area around the fitting is stressed & weakened just from the manufacturer attaching the fitting. I am too lazy to pull down every one and inspect under pressure. The slight bulge that might indicate an internal issue might not show except under pressure and the the hose exposed.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

The crimp at the swage is usually the weakest part of the hose ... with or without protectors. Removing them allows you to check this area more easily ... but in use it also puts more strain on the hose just at the crimp. So it's a trade-off. Moral of the story is whether you use protectors or not you need to keep an eye on this area ... and remember that reg hoses are, after all, consumable items.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[MaxBottomtime]

I never used to use hose protectors, but after having two hoses blow the same way, one at the surface and one in six feet, I began using protectors. I haven't had a problem in the past tweny years with a hose since I switched.

 

[TracyN]

Never seen that happen before, I do check mine regularly but not before every dive.

How old are the hoses? Any possible stress related due to positioning? Was it to a second stage or LP inflator?

I know exactly what caused it. I was using a 28 inch hose which was just a bit too short for my sidemount configuration. The hose was getting pinched off under the protector and I didn't realize it. With over 100 dives on that hose I guess it was only a matter of time. I now have a 30 inch hose which works perfectly.