BCD wouldn't let air out

[Degenerate]

If you need to dump really fast, the easiest way is probably to go vertical extend the inflator hose up and press the deflate button, while stopping finning.

I've never come across an inflator hose that dumped faster than a rear dump, assuming there is one.
Just tilt forward and yank it, you'll go from floaty to neutral to anchor real fast, not being vertical also makes it a lot easier to fin your way down while the air is dumping...

 

[BlueTrin]

I've never come across an inflator hose that dumped faster than a rear dump, assuming there is one.
Just tilt forward and yank it, you'll go from floaty to neutral to anchor real fast, not being vertical also makes it a lot easier to fin your way down while the air is dumping...

I explained in a later post that I tried to take in account that he is a new diver using rental BCDs and may not be able to find the dump quickly if he panics.

I thought he would be the easiest for him because he won’t have to find the dump.

On my BCD I would swim slightly downwards exhaling and dump from the bottom valve but that’s because I know where the valve is on my own equipment.

I am a newbie as well so take what I say with a pinch of salt

 

[Diving Dubai]

Do I suck it down for a hot drop

Hot drop indeed - what is this the SF school?

Bad advice to suck down a BCD.Just bad.

Never seen teh point of a neg entry We were doing critical, challenging entry's on pinnacles in Komodo. In proper current.

There was still time to do a fast okay on the surface, vent then make a bubble check at 6m on the way down. Just don't faff and have checked and re checked before you splash.

 

[The Chairman]

Bad advice to suck down a BCD.Just bad.

There's a few "if I don't sell, dive or teach it, then it must be bad" instructors. They don't give you a reason other than "trust me", but they are quick to slap down anyone who dives differently than they do.

If you want me to change my mind and my habits, show me why. Tell me how many people have gotten sick off of the mythical ooze growing in a BCD. What? No stats. Oh. It's just "bad". Meh. Lots of figjam divers wanting me to accept their fear-mongering, with little to no stats to back up their claims. Pretend I'm from Missouri and that you'll have to show me in order to get me to believe.

Personally, I believe in diving with clean gear. Yeah, flushing your BC more than once in its lifetime is a good thing. Diving in such a way that you don't get a lot of water in, to begin with, helps, but err on the side of good hygiene and you'll be fine. I see people diving with crud growing in their masks that makes me want to vomit. Just keep it clean. Who doesn't have time for that?

There was still time to do a fast okay on the surface,

What's the point? How does a "fast OK" help anyone when there's 10-foot waves? My philosophy is to shut up and dive. If it's a tech dive, do a thorough check at 20 and don't forget to spike your PO2.

Everyone dives a bit differently. Some have a fascination or need with rigid protocols of dubious effectiveness and some of us don't. That doesn't make either of us "BAD" divers. I've only been diving since 1969, have done some dives many (most?) would never attempt, and yet I've never been bent or seriously hurt on a dive, other than some cracked ribs from an over-protective manatee mom.

 

[Soloist]

Never seen the point of a neg entry.

99% of my entries are negative, regardless of the conditions or objectives. What is the point of bobbing up and down on the surface? It’s truly a waste of time and effort. By dropping quickly you have an excellent chance of seeing eagle rays and sharks before the hoards descend and frighten everything away. Moreover, negative entries are essential when diving wrecks in strong currents and are particularly useful when hunting.

 

[Graeme Fraser]

I'll keep a foot in both camps here by saying; whilst I do see the benefits of a negative entry in some circumstances, I don't see the need to suck down a BCD. Yes @chairman I appreciate that there's no hard evidence of potential harm, it's just that it's not really necessary. Just squeeze out most of the air, then back roll arrow style whilst holding open the rear dump. Any remaining pocket of air will soon vent and, if you really need a quick drop, a few kicks should do the job.

 

[The Chairman]

then back roll arrow style whilst holding open the rear dump.

Which lets water in that might cause that mythical ooze to grow. I very rarely use my bladder, except to float beatifically on the surface after the dive. Usually, I remember to deflate with my deflator out of the water and the water pressing in just before I get on the ladder and am holding on to the line. While some are draining buckets from their BCs after a dive, and a few drain only a modicum of water out, I very rarely have any. Ergo, I can suck out the air I might have errantly left in my BC with seeming impunity. Your BC may or may not be as clean as mine, so do what you feel is proper, dependent on your BC hygiene.

But the point of this thread is not about the most effective way to vent your BC, but whether or not you can tell if the deflator is working on the hard. Without a suck or a squeeze, simply opening up the inflator, may or may not result in any noticeable deflation. What may seem like a defective valve, may just be one that placidly obeys the laws of physics. You have to give a fairly flaccid bladder a reason to deflate in addition to the deflator button.

 

[MinimalMayhem]

FWIW here's one example of infection from breathing off a BC Recreational Divers Need Awareness of Aspergillus | Aspergillus & Aspergillosis Website

 

[tursiops]

There is a difference between saying, "I'm happy to breath from my own BCD" and saying, "Breathing from a BCD is OK."
The former is a personal practice and preference; the latter is a dangerous recommendation.
A person happy with breathing from his/her own BCD is not evidence that it is a valid recommendation for all, or even anyone else.

 

[InTheDrink]

I would suggest that breathing from your BC is a course of action of total last recourse. Not to be recommended unless the alternative is immediate death. It’s an option but a very poor one irrespective of how clean your kit is.

I repeat - unless you have no other means of getting to the surface this is a really bad idea.