AOW and freeflow

[MikeFerrara]

While using exhaust to inflate a bag is common when using it as a smb, I wouldn't stick my head under a bag that's rigged to an object below it.

In warm water I wouldn't be to worried about using my breathing gas to fill a bag as long as it's not going to take too much. In a PADI AOW class I think they recommend like 25 lbs? That doesn't take much gas.

 

[yknot]

First of all, did the second stage free flow or the first stage. In general, in cold water, which is more prevalent? Apek makes second stage lside type shut offs now which should have stopped the problem IF it was a second stage free flow. If first stages are really the problem, wouldn't an extra hose (such as a dry suit inflator used for inflating a lift bag) cause the same problems as purging a second stage to fill a bag?

 

[MikeFerrara]

First of all, did the second stage free flow or the first stage. In general, in cold water, which is more prevalent? Apek makes second stage lside type shut offs now which should have stopped the problem IF it was a second stage free flow. If first stages are really the problem, wouldn't an extra hose (such as a dry suit inflator used for inflating a lift bag) cause the same problems as purging a second stage to fill a bag?

The problem with using one of those shut off valves is that when you have a free flow you don't know whether it's the first stage or the second that's froze. If you guess wrong you pop a hose and then you have a real problem.

Yes, using an inflator hose may also freeze up a first stage.

With good dry air, I don't think it;s too common to freeze a sealed Apeks first stage. There really shouldn't be any moisture in there to freeze.

 

[MechDiver]

Yes, using an inflator hose may also freeze up a first stage.

With the caveat that you have much greater control over how much air is released with this method vs a purge button on a second. And lots less to hand up on the bag or lines once the bag starts to move.

And to Yknot, no, because the DS inflator method does not have all the guts to freeze that a second stage does.

MD

 

[yknot]

With the one free flow experience I have had I suspect the first stage. I have some flow control with my second stages like Apeks TX50's. When I shut my free flowing primary down my octo started flowing and I couldn't stop it-only breath it on the way to the surface. I suppose that divers that have the Apek in line shutoffs shouldn't shut down both primary and secondary-wouldn't a continuing free flow indicate a first stage freeze?