Abyss hard to breath at 104'...

[htn123]

Just got back from diving at the Spiegel and the Duane in Key Largo.
When I was at the Spiegel at 103', the Abyss was fine. But then the next day I was at the Duane, got to 104' and then it felt liked I was sucking air through a straw :11: !!!. Almost got panicked and called the dive but then I went up to 90' and it got easy again. The next 3 dives, the Abyss worked flawlessly. The Abyss is environmentaly sealed and balanced as I recalled.

So what could have contributed to that? There was a strong current at the Duane but I would have thought it would be the same problem at 90'. Time for a service call? Been having the Abyss for 3yrs now with anual service at the LDS.

 

[ScubaThor]

I also dive with an Abyss and have not had any issues like yours. Was the water any colder on the Duane? Perhaps a thermocline?

 

[htn123]

Nope, same temp, 86. But the current is much stronger at the Duane.

 

[cerich]

that reg will dive the artic without a performance hit and well past any sane technical limits.

Current normally will make a reg free flow or breath easier not harder.

I suspect the tank valve was not open all the way or had an issue.

It doesn't come with a cold water kit, if yours has one however that may be the cause of the problem if it had air bubbles in the mineral oil it uses, udging from the next dives that is unlikely.

For peace of mind you should have it looked at.

 

[jeckyll]

One other piece: You may have been at the start of a small panic narc. I've had this myself (at 80+ fsw in cold dark water) and it's very hit and miss for when I start to feel it. Go up 10 feet and feel better about the gear & reg.

Definately get the reg checked for piece of mind. Had you done alot of 100+ fsw dives on that reg, or in general, in the past?

 

[htn123]

JJ,
You could be right. This was the 2nd day diving. The first day, I had 5 dives in total. Could have been the fatigue settling in. Yep, got up to 90 and everything was fine.
Definitely will get the reg checked out. Thanks all.