Also make sure you get a different reg!
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Free flow disaster! Help!
- Thread starter chloe_blackman
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Did you do a drysuit orientation in the pool and get wet, but it didnt bother you because you were warm? A dribble of wet is expected but not wet. I teach in similar conditions to yours, and the keeping warm is very important. For your free flow reg, can you ask for a different reg. who cares if it seems high maintenance. I left my aow course feeling how you are describing, but i cried alot too at home. I knew there was a diver in me, so i stuck it out. When i decided to go pro, i swore i would never have any student feel like i did. Occasionally they do because even with my briefing to speak up if something doesnt feel right, i do get people in the water with equipment issues that could have been solved. Yours might not be, but speak up, i have given students my reg to use, and used the spare we keep in the van.
OP
chloe_blackman
Registered
Your welcome, please keep us up to date and let us know how it goes.
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I'll post on here how things go either tomorrow or when I complete my open water. Feeling a bit more positive having read people's reassurances
---------- Post added February 24th, 2013 at 01:17 AM ----------
I did a dry suit orientation a couple of days ago in the pool and got just as soaked but I assumed it was my own fault as I had been constantly readjusting the seals around my wrists. But you're correct, the warm water didn't bother me, if anything the leakage was a relief as the pool is a toasty 31 degrees celsius. I will definitely ask to see if I was switch regs tomorrow as after today I have little faith in my current one.
Chloe, it actually sounds like you did great under the circumstances. I would rather have these incidents happen with an instructor handy, than with a false sense of security after getting certified. The leaking DS is a concern tho. Where were/was the leak(s)?
Don't give up, not many people do this sport, and there is a reason.
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Don't give up, not many people do this sport, and there is a reason.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Chloe,
I echo the kudos for dealing with this in place. That is a huge demonstration of composure.
1) Get a suit that works for you, I don't know if this was rental wit a mismatch in seals sizing or a leaker or garments in the seal(s) but you have to get this right.
2) Get a different regulator or that one fixed. I assume it was shop provided training unit?
3) I agree with not cramming 3 training dives into one day. Space them out as able.
4) All is not lost for Mexico, you can bring a warm water referral. Do the dives there and do a cold water orientation when you get back to local diving.
5) Should you find yourself so severely chilled in the future do not hesitate to abort the dive before or during the dive. Any diver can call any dive for any reason at any time. (Period)
Pete
I echo the kudos for dealing with this in place. That is a huge demonstration of composure.
1) Get a suit that works for you, I don't know if this was rental wit a mismatch in seals sizing or a leaker or garments in the seal(s) but you have to get this right.
2) Get a different regulator or that one fixed. I assume it was shop provided training unit?
3) I agree with not cramming 3 training dives into one day. Space them out as able.
4) All is not lost for Mexico, you can bring a warm water referral. Do the dives there and do a cold water orientation when you get back to local diving.
5) Should you find yourself so severely chilled in the future do not hesitate to abort the dive before or during the dive. Any diver can call any dive for any reason at any time. (Period)
Pete
OP
chloe_blackman
Registered
I'm not really sure where the DS leaked if I'm honest, my instructor thought it might have been the neck so gave me an extra seal to tuck underneath but as far as I could tell it didn't really help. Somebody told me they can leak through the dump valve and it's a pretty old suit by the looks of things so maybe that's the problem.
You cannot dive when seriously wet in that kind of cold. It is practically impossible. Also once you get cold it can take a long time to reheat your core. At least a day.
The frequent free flow tells me to get a different REG or possibly get that one adjusted.
You have done very well.
If your intention is to get certified so that you can dive warm, and your instructor cannot produce a functioning dry suit and REG, think seriously about that warm water referral. It's not like you would be missing a chance to see something your first couple of days in Mexico. With a warm water referral your 4 training dives would be on a coral reef. (Well, probably next to a coral reef). Part of the dives are swimming around and gaining comfort with your scuba gear.
The frequent free flow tells me to get a different REG or possibly get that one adjusted.
You have done very well.
If your intention is to get certified so that you can dive warm, and your instructor cannot produce a functioning dry suit and REG, think seriously about that warm water referral. It's not like you would be missing a chance to see something your first couple of days in Mexico. With a warm water referral your 4 training dives would be on a coral reef. (Well, probably next to a coral reef). Part of the dives are swimming around and gaining comfort with your scuba gear.
3D diver
Contributor
You done good for the circumstances.
You mention the freeflows were the result of "purging" the regulator. What, exactly, do you mean? Did you actually push the purge button? If so, it's not entirely surprising it started freeflowing---it shouldn't, but a reg ballanced right on the brink will in my experience. Blowing back through it (i.e. exhaling) or taking it out of your mouth and inverting it or blocking it should have stopped it (sometimes banging it against your other hand with the mouthpiece facing down works too)...but that's all a bit much for a student, eh?
The alternative to using the purge button to clear the water when swapping regs underwater is to exhale through it then inhale...very carefully...for a breath or two. If that's what you were doing, then ignore everything I said...or do that anyway if you wish, I'm easy to please.
You mention the freeflows were the result of "purging" the regulator. What, exactly, do you mean? Did you actually push the purge button? If so, it's not entirely surprising it started freeflowing---it shouldn't, but a reg ballanced right on the brink will in my experience. Blowing back through it (i.e. exhaling) or taking it out of your mouth and inverting it or blocking it should have stopped it (sometimes banging it against your other hand with the mouthpiece facing down works too)...but that's all a bit much for a student, eh?
The alternative to using the purge button to clear the water when swapping regs underwater is to exhale through it then inhale...very carefully...for a breath or two. If that's what you were doing, then ignore everything I said...or do that anyway if you wish, I'm easy to please.
OP
chloe_blackman
Registered
i'll see how I get on tomorrow on my dive 2 retry but if I have similar problems I will seriously consider the referral. I'm not closed to cold water diving but like you said with my current equipment it is pretty impractical. I was surprised it took me so long to warm up though, a day seems like a long time but it's true. Even a soak in a hot bath didn't do it!
---------- Post added February 24th, 2013 at 03:50 AM ----------
You done good for the circumstances.
You mention the freeflows were the result of "purging" the regulator. What, exactly, do you mean? Did you actually push the purge button? If so, it's not entirely surprising it started freeflowing---it shouldn't, but a reg ballanced right on the brink will in my experience. Blowing back through it (i.e. exhaling) or taking it out of your mouth and inverting it or blocking it should have stopped it (sometimes banging it against your other hand with the mouthpiece facing down works too)...but that's all a bit much for a student, eh?
The alternative to using the purge button to clear the water when swapping regs underwater is to exhale through it then inhale...very carefully...for a breath or two. If that's what you were doing, then ignore everything I said...or do that anyway if you wish, I'm easy to please.
I think I did a mixture of the different techniques. Whilst I was more panicked I used the purge button but when I was calmer I exhaled into it. I definitely need to practice how to stop a free flow but the problem is you never know when it's coming! (':
It's unfortunate that things did not go well, but you and your instructor certainly managed the situation well. If we can get you warm and comfortable, you are going to be a model diver!
Diving is a gear intensive sport. The good times we have and our safety is dependent upon our gear and our training. You seem to have the training in control, but your gear needs some closer inspection.
Yes, you need to get a dry suit that fits and does not leak if you are going to be diving in cold water. Zippers and seals are the usual culprits. You have to make sure your seals are the right size for you, which can be very difficult with a rental suit. And your zipper has to be in good working order and properly closed. Sounds like you got that sorted out on the second dive.
It wasn't mentioned if your regulator was a rental or your own. If you own that regulator, you will want to have it looked at. The first stage might fail in one of two ways- if it is not a cold water, environmentally sealed regulator, condensation in the air can freeze and the regulator will fail open. This over pressures the second stage and causes a free flow. The other way the first stage can cause a free flow is if it simply is not maintained. Over time, the first stage may detune and settle at a higher intermediate pressure, causing the second stage to free flow.
Less likely is that the second stage is set with a very light cracking pressure and simply free flows. But this kind of free flow is fairly easy to stop unless the regulator is very badly out of tune. Alternately, if you were using a tech regulator with all knobs, but if you own one of those, you would have read the manual
Bottom line is this- If you are going diving in cold water, your regulator set needs to be a cold water regulator set, and it needs to be properly maintained.
Chloe, you are absolutely correct. You will learn to sort this stuff out underwater on your own. And you also seem to understand how very important it is that buddies stay close together.
Get that gear checked and come out to California to dive in the kelp with us!
Diving is a gear intensive sport. The good times we have and our safety is dependent upon our gear and our training. You seem to have the training in control, but your gear needs some closer inspection.
Yes, you need to get a dry suit that fits and does not leak if you are going to be diving in cold water. Zippers and seals are the usual culprits. You have to make sure your seals are the right size for you, which can be very difficult with a rental suit. And your zipper has to be in good working order and properly closed. Sounds like you got that sorted out on the second dive.
It wasn't mentioned if your regulator was a rental or your own. If you own that regulator, you will want to have it looked at. The first stage might fail in one of two ways- if it is not a cold water, environmentally sealed regulator, condensation in the air can freeze and the regulator will fail open. This over pressures the second stage and causes a free flow. The other way the first stage can cause a free flow is if it simply is not maintained. Over time, the first stage may detune and settle at a higher intermediate pressure, causing the second stage to free flow.
Less likely is that the second stage is set with a very light cracking pressure and simply free flows. But this kind of free flow is fairly easy to stop unless the regulator is very badly out of tune. Alternately, if you were using a tech regulator with all knobs, but if you own one of those, you would have read the manual
Bottom line is this- If you are going diving in cold water, your regulator set needs to be a cold water regulator set, and it needs to be properly maintained.
Chloe, you are absolutely correct. You will learn to sort this stuff out underwater on your own. And you also seem to understand how very important it is that buddies stay close together.
Get that gear checked and come out to California to dive in the kelp with us!
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