Left vs right kidney dump valve?

[dumpsterpurrs]

Mares XR wings have switchable kidney dumps. You can choose if you prefer left or right.

Does having 2 possible outlets for dump valve introduce an additional failure point? Oh wait what am I talking about, I use a deluxe harness with all the quick release buckles I'm the poster child of failure points... and it's not like I ever really *need* to depend on wing lift. Even on the surface my lungs are enough. And it might not be too bad to have two rear dump valves. Maybe it would wean me off the right one and convince me to use the left one more like a proper diver lol

Honestly though, after working in a dive shop, I have developed a very unreasonable ugh reaction to Mares BCD & regs and suits - with all the little annoyances and how fast they break, they don't spark joy (not fins! their fins are sick!)

 

[happy-diver]

Like a cold, or something mundane like a cancer?

 

[Nemrod]

Not sure I understand the Mares XR hate. Their 22 and 35 pounds wings are basically an Oxy/DGX/VDH clone. Narrow profile, anti-taco design and with a rear lift bias.

I am waiting for at least one manufacturer to have the guts to leave off the stupid pull dongles and just give me a string with a knot.

I will just say, I will pass on ali even if I have to pay more, even a lot more. Just saying.

 

[happy-diver]

Upholding the American end and arresting the decline by buying inferior products, or something else
My oxycheq neon orange, listed as orange is crap, it faded in an instant and was stitched by amateurs
oxycheq duffy had nothing to say, admittedly I am very pleased it faded the neon right out of my hair

A numbers perspective

Still no mention of neon

 

[Chavodel8en]

Which wing even has the kidney dump valve on the right? Pretty much all of the common brands are on the left. My wing (Aqualung Outlaw wing, married to OMS IQ Lite harness) has it on the right, but that's super rare. I'm struggling to find another with right kidney dump valve.

Also, to clarify, I don't mean using both the the inflator and dump valve simultaneously, just the ability to use either of them at any point without changing my body position. I dive in trim but my body isn't always parallel to the absolute bottom, I like to glide around like flying if that makes sense.

I feel like most jackets and recreational BCs have the kidney dump on the right - at least thats what I recall from previous usage. So maybe folks get used to that. I know I did.

As it so happens, my Mares wing also has it on the right. So my muscle memory has me reaching with my right hand. I see alot of good reasons to have it on the left, but alas, I am used to it on the right.

 

[dumpsterpurrs]

Not sure I understand the Mares XR hate. Their 22 and 35 pounds wings are basically an Oxy/DGX/VDH clone. Narrow profile, anti-taco design and with a rear lift bias.

How much does the 22 weigh dry?

 

[inquis]

How much does the 22 weigh dry?

1250 g with inflator, no tank bands. Another 580 g for 2x Aqualung Griplock bands and 2x DGX trim pockets.

 

[Capt I]

You don't use the inflator and the kidney dump at the same time (even if you want to deflate with your inflator your body position is not the same so you use one or the other but not both at the same time) so it is not a problem if it is on the same side. For me there is no advantage (or disadvantage) either side. Just a question of getting use to it.

True ... in so long as you have a donut wing; not so much for a horseshoe wing though.

 

[pisauron]

I'm not GUE trained. But I do enjoy reading their stuff from time to time... I believe that the answer is in post #4 in the thread you linked:

There are a number of other advantages to the left (and disadvantages to the right) discussed in the thread. To my mind, most of them are relevant for overhead environments with manifolded doubles. So to answer the question in the OP: in the context of tropical single-tank diving, I do not think that it matters at all

But, the DIR/GUE configuration is purpose-built for cave diving. And part of the philosophy is to match the cave diving doubles config as closely as possible in other types of diving as well. This helps build diver muscle memory, and encourages team cohesiveness

Why not disconnect the broken inflator?

 

[happy-diver]

Why not disconnect the broken inflator?

Why not indeed dude I know I have, I do

I feel like most jackets and recreational BCs have the kidney dump on the right - at least thats what I recall from previous usage. So maybe folks get used to that. I know I did.

Yes they do unless they don't and you do get used to the position don't you

As it so happens, my Mares wing also has it on the right. So my muscle memory has me reaching with my right hand. I see alot of good reasons to have it on the left, but alas, I am used to it on the right.

But then on the next dive using different gear, just like when I swap between driving my manual and auto cars

maybe my muscles have more memory

Not like like taking the keys away from a child without first offering something in exchange, ending in tantrum