Water in regulator at depth causing panic

[lowwall]

It is up to YOU, to try to inhale from the regulator BEFORE it is pressurized and ensure that the integrity of the second stage is in tact and there are no (or negligible) leaks when you suck a gentle vacuum.

I wonder if many people actually do the vacuum test before diving, I generally do it every time I load the regulators into the gear bag (the night before) and sometimes do it on the boat- but it should be done every time before a dive - even on brand new regulators.

I have never heard of this check. It does make sense.

Can anyone think of a reason not to add it to their pre-dive ritual? It would be easy enough to do just before you turn on the air to perform the other checks.

 

[berndo]

I have never heard of this check.

At least with SSI it's been part of the OW class since forever.

 

[tursiops]

The other point is at 60 feet, an emergency ascent should be achievable, currently PADI advise you should ascend in normal circumatsnaces at 30 feet per minute, which would mean you have 2 mins to get to the surface, but up until a few years ago the safe rate was 60 feet per minute, which would take a minute.

Actually, that's not what PADI says. They say never exceed 60, and go slower if that is what your computer says to do. They started saying this in 1999. 30 as a maximum is only mandated for altitude diving.

 

[Wibble]

I have never heard of this check. It does make sense.

Can anyone think of a reason not to add it to their pre-dive ritual? It would be easy enough to do just before you turn on the air to perform the other checks.

Part of the Revo IANTD build and pre dive process for bailouts.

 

[Wibble]

Just FIY, I have seen countless rec divers who are much better divers many of the so called 'tec' divers. When people goof on bad divers on the internet or in real life, it's often new divers they goof on and laugh at. The biggest difference in my experience is that 'tec' divers tend to be more full of themselves and have spend a more money. I see plenty of 'tec' rebreather divers with bad trim and bad bouyancy even in caves.
Either you know how to properly use you kit or you don't.

Is that sweeping generalisation aimed at all technical divers or just one you once saw?

We’ve all seen crappy skills. Generally the more experienced people are, the better their skills.

 

[cgblake]

I know everyone wants to pat you on the back for not bolting to the surface and handling the problem at 60 feet, but the reality is that you need to check this stuff on any regulator before jumping in. Even over zealous rinsing of regulator can cause an exhaust valve to get folded a little or it can happen in rare instances when jumping into the water and water slamming into the exhaust.

I wonder if many people actually do the vacuum test before diving, I generally do it every time I load the regulators into the gear bag (the night before) and sometimes do it on the boat- but it should be done every time before a dive - even on brand new regulators.

Is the vacuum test different from breathing off the regs before a dive?
I had a situation where the rental regs were free flowing quite a bit during my dive today. I’m wondering how I could have caught that beforehand.

 

[madamimadam]

Is the vacuum test different from breathing off the regs before a dive?
I had a situation where the rental regs were free flowing quite a bit during my dive today. I’m wondering how I could have caught that beforehand.

Yes, the vacuum test is different. Inhalation against a closed valve should create a vacuum, which confirms your diaphragm and exhaust diaphragm are functioning properly, that the regulator housing is intact, and that your mouthpiece is attached and in sound condition. If you inhale and get air, it is likely one (or both) of your diaphragms is either not seated properly (folded, has sand between it and the regulator housing, et cetera), or has a hole or tear. It could also be that your mouthpiece isn't properly secured or has a hole, or that your regulator has a crack.

The vacuum test before the dive essentially verifies that when you inhale from your regulator underwater, you will get the expected lungful of gas, rather than water.

 

[johndiver999]

Yes, the vacuum test is different. Inhalation against a closed valve should create a vacuum, which confirms your diaphragm and exhaust diaphragm are functioning properly, that the regulator housing is intact, and that your mouthpiece is attached and in sound condition. If you inhale and get air, it is likely one (or both) of your diaphragms is either not seated properly (folded, has sand between it and the regulator housing, et cetera), or has a hole or tear. It could also be that your mouthpiece isn't properly secured or has a hole, or that your regulator has a crack.

The vacuum test before the dive essentially verifies that when you inhale from your regulator underwater, you will get the expected lungful of gas, rather than water.

Yes sorta, it verifies that you shouldn’t get water when you inhale. Wether you get air is checked with the tank valve on. Just to be precise. So important to check since damaged or lost mouthpieces are a common cause when problems develop.

 

[boulderjohn]

The other point is at 60 feet, an emergency ascent should be achievable, currently PADI advise you should ascend in normal circumatsnaces at 30 feet per minute,

I think the physical exertion of kicking through 60 feet of water without new air would have been quite difficult. Heck, I thought it was going to be challenging (but doable) just to make it over to the nearest diver!

Actually, that's not what PADI says. They say never exceed 60, and go slower if that is what your computer says to do. They started saying this in 1999. 30 as a maximum is only mandated for altitude diving.

PADI says that a CESA is done at a "normal" ascent rate. Their only written definition of that is no faster than 60 FPM. As Tursiops said, they now say to go at the rate recommended by your computer. That is for ascending at the end of a dive, not on a CESA.

When I was certified as an instructor, I was told emphatically that the 60 FPM ascent rate is not specified in the CESA standards--it only specifies distance. We were clearly told that an OOA diver could go faster than 60 FPM. Nowhere do they say a CESA should be done at 30 FPM.

They also say that if you have concerns about making it to the surface on a CESA, then you should do a buoyant ascent, which will allow for a much faster ascent rate.

 

[boulderjohn]

I want to comment on a couple points from the opening post.

A few minutes later…out of nowhere I get a mouthful of water...

I think about heading to the surface, even taking a kick or two. It dawns on me quickly that I won’t make it and/or a rapid ascent will probably kill me.

The only reason going directly to the surface would kill you would be if you held your breath. You would not get DCS early in a dive like that, and the only reason for an embolism would be holding the breath. I feel strongly about this point. Not understanding this can lead divers to make bad decisions in an emergency.

Then I remember I have my own back-up regulator. I grab it, press the purge valve to blow out air and clear out any water, and put it in my mouth.

Is you sequence accurate? You should put it in your mouth first, then press the purge valve. If you press the purge valve before putting the regulator in your mouth, when you stop pressing, more water will go into the valve. When push the purge valve while the regulator is in your mouth, the water is expelled though the exhaust, not into your mouth.