cuff dump vs. shoulder variable exhaust

[String]

Sorry to revive a dead thread but thought id add my little piece.

My old drysuit was a cuff dump which i liked. I bought a new drysuit with a low profile shoulder dump.
The problem is, ive had my first dive with it and it did NOT want to dump, fully open i rolled into all kinds of odd shapes and angles, pressed it, banged it and could never get many bubbles out of the thing. The result was a hard work dive where as soon as i got to near 10m or shallow i was uncontrollably ascending and had to hold onto rocks and hitting myself on the shoulder to dump. I eventually ran out of rocks at 8m so made a faster than id have liked ascent.

When getting to the surface the problem seems to be that an air bubble forms on the back of my shoulder. The dump is on the front so short of ralling face up and horizontal in the water it is never going to dump that air.
I also dont like the lack of control for speedily dumping air near the bottom if needed and so on. Its all too slow for my liking.

Anyway, the result is ive just ordered a cuff dump that should arrive tomorrow.

Must admit im terrified with the prospect of cutting holes in my shiny new drysuit but i dont class it as safe for me to use in its current state. Max depth was only 20m and stayed out of deco but realistially with that shoulder setup i will not be able to hold a stop.

If anyone has tips for fitting drysuit valves, let me know - im scared

 

[japan-diver]

Don't know what all these guys got against cuff dumps but I love mine. Tried both and found the cuff is easier to use and requires less rolling to dump. (I have a Whites suit) Also have never had it get in the way yet. On my left wrist is a compass and a dump valve no problem. I think its more of a personal preference.

 

[String]

My old one never bothered me or caught on anything either. On that wrist i simply wear my backup watch. Computer goes on right wrist, compass on BC (hand if needed, or console), torch in right hand.

When reeling in on ascent its dead easy to dump as left hand holds the reel so simply raise it. I like the control of being able to easy dump a lot of air fast if needed without having to press buttons or contort into strange shapes. If my other suit hadnt become the diving equivalent of a tea bag id still be diving it now with cuff dump.

 

[Paco]

Just a thought... For a diver new to DS diving, would it make sense to have both a shoulder and cuff dump? One could open and close them until decided which is best for him/her and eventually have the unwanted one removed. I'm new to DS diving and had a similar experience to Sting's. Lucky I was along a Quarry wall and was grabbing at rocks and plants while trying to get the dump to dump. Of course I'm on learning curve right now and will get better with practice.

 

[String]

You dont "close" a cuff dump - it dumps whenever the wrist its on becomes the highest point of the suit so do dump all you do is raise your arm. No adjustment or anything needed.

I dont really see the point in having both fitted. Im leaving my shoulder one on purely so i dont have to patch the hole in the suit. I'll just leave it closed.

 

[Paco]

Makes sense. Thanks