Apeks XTX50 free flow question

[LeadTurn_SD]

.... Is it normal that if I forget to set the knob properly, I can expect the second stage to free flow when taken out of my mouth? ....

Yes.

Re-read awap's answer.

A well-tuned, high performance adjustable 2nd stage is going to free flow (not a piddly bubble stream, but a kick-butt freeflow) if you just "pop" it out of your mouth underwater, drop it into the water while floating on the surface, or tap the purge button sharply on the surface.... but note: This is when the 2nd stage is out of your mouth. It should not freeflow with normal use (when in your mouth).

awap already explained how to handle a well-tuned 2nd stage. All of my primary second stages (adjustable and non-adjustable) need to be handled with care when out of my mouth, or they freeflow big time. Which is exactly how I tune them when I service them: To get max performance.

Most rental regs and many "from the factory" regs are tuned conservatively and are less likely to freeflow when mishandled, but also perform just "ok", not "great".

You have a well-tuned 2nd stage. Can you de-tune it so it never freeflows when out of your mouth? Sure you can.... but why would you want to? As long as the reg is not freeflowing when in your mouth, it is fine. Just handle it carefully when it is not in your mouth (and when on the surface, set the venturi switch to "-" and trighten the adjuster a couple turns).

Best wishes.

 

[gshak]

I'll do a shallow shore dive with it when I get to Coz and practice removing it with different settings. I'll also talk my dive buddy (only 8 certified dives and a gas-guzzler) into practicing OOA drills with me.

After a couple hundred dives, I've only had 3 free flows on my Poseidon- all were from my back-up reg, never the primary (it has never free flowed when I removed it). All were easy to stop, and all were in shallow water (<30').

Glad I did the pool tryout. Thanks for the help, everybody!

 

[LeadTurn_SD]

I think a lot has to do with the 2nd stage design. Second stages that have a strong venturi effect and are well-tuned, and are set to the easiest breathing setting are very prone to freeflows if there is no "back pressure" (when in your mouth, there is "back pressure" unless you are inhaling).

A non-adjustable reg that has been "de-tuned" for use as an octo, or an adjustable reg that is less-agressively tuned (either during service by the tech, or by tightening up the adjuster knob) will be less finicky when out of your mouth.

As long as you can swim in any position underwater and never experience a freeflow with the reg in your mouth.... you are good to go. A 2nd stage that is tuned too agressively can freeflow when in your mouth in certain head-down positions, so this is what you need to watch for when you test your reg.

Have fun in Coz!