BC Inflator Hose Won't Disconnect

[theatis]

I have a dive planned for tomorrow morning (last dive of NAUI Master course!) and i'm putting my equipment together right now and for some reason my BC inflator hose won't disconnect unless i yank on it with all my strength.

I tried it a few times now and can't figure out what's causing this. I put the hose in place, it goes on easily and then won't come off. I tried it both pressurized and unpressurized; under pressure it's a little bit more difficult to disconnect but both ways it's definitely problematic. When the hose is off the inflator, the retaining mechanism moves just fine. I also can't see anything wrong with the inflator itself.

The equipment is clean and there is absolutely no rust or anything else that is visibly suspicious. The hose is the one that came stock with my DSS setup and has about 50 dives on it. I've never experienced any problem either with the hose or the inflator and i last dove the setup last week.

I really don't know how to figure this out. Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks.

 

[UWupnorth]

Get a new hose, or at least try a different hose.

 

[lifeisfullofgooddives]

Try rising it out in fresh water....let it soak. Maybe there is some sand or something like that stuck in there where you can't see.

But If your really worried about it...a new hose is like what, 8 bucks?

 

[divad]

One of the ball bearings may be getting stuck. Pull back the "retaining mechanism" and look at them. They should move freely.

 

[theatis]

I know that buying a new one is the obvious solution but unfortunately i won't get a chance to do that, i'm going out to the lake early tomorrow morning before the shops open.

I'll soak it and see if anything improves. The ball bearings looked OK at first glance, i'll take a closer look at them. Thanks for the input.

I guess my major concern is: if i'm unable to fix this or find another hose (maybe someone will have a spare tomorrow, this teaches me that i SHOULD have a spare myself) should i not do the dive? What would you do?

 

[drew52]

ok so reread the post and removed my thoughts.

 

[Charlie99]

should i not do the dive? What would you do?

The correct answer is that, since you would have a hard time disconnecting the hose if the BCD inflator stuck on that you shouldn't do the dive. In real life, unless it were a deep dive, I'd probably go ahead and take the chance of an unintended rocket ride to the surface.

Those little ball bearings should be free enough that when you pull back the retaining mechanism that they will pop up and down easily when you reach in an touch them with a the end of a pencil/toothpick/etc.

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If none of your dive buddies have a spare hose, see if they have a Dive Alert or Sub Duck sort of thingy. That would give you a connection that you could open up in an emergency.

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Alternative #3: Don't connect the LP hose to the BCD and just use oral inflation for the dive.

 

[divad]

should i not do the dive? What would you do?

If you think your inflator might get stuck too, then maybe you should fix the hose first. Or just don't use it.

 

[ReefHound]

I guess my major concern is: if i'm unable to fix this or find another hose (maybe someone will have a spare tomorrow, this teaches me that i SHOULD have a spare myself) should i not do the dive? What would you do?

Just don't use the power inflator. Manually inflate your BC if needed.

 

[Mr.X]

If you think your inflator might get stuck too, then maybe you should fix the hose first. Or just don't use it.

I second this opinion. Having taught a master's class many time before...I don't let my students enter the water with faulty gear. Additionally, as instructor I am more than happy to hear of concerns even the night before a dive- gives me a heads-up and time to bring a spare hose.

X