Curly Set of Second Stage Hose

[hongrace]

I don't know if this is the correct way to call this. Anyway I am trying to describe here:

My Second Stage Hose is about 29" long and have a natural coil set maybe due to being manufactured in this way at factory or being stored coiled up in my reg bag. The problem I have is that when the hose is connected to the first stage, the hose is positioned in a way that the set is coiling the hose backward away from me. So when I am biting the second stage I have to bend the hose against the set and this makes the hose twisted uncomfortably and turning of my head is somewhat restricted. The day after I had done two dives on this, my jaw was quite sore. If the hose can be positioned in a way such that the hose is coiling forward around my neck, that would be perfect as it will be positioned into my month naturally.

My hose is the standard rubber type from the original factory (Apeks).

A) Is there a way to position the hose on the first stage such that I can have the natural coil face forward?

B) Should I change it?

C) Is it normal for a rubber hose to have set like this?

D) If I change a new straight hose, will it develop a set later on after being coiled up in the reg bag?

Thank you.

 

[scubafanatic]

one suggestion, try MIFLEX hoses.

 

[halocline]

You might think about a 5 ft hose. You don't even need to buy one, you can use a 2nd LP hose about the same length, maybe 32-34" would be perfect, and connect the two with a LP hose coupler that's available at dive gear express or the trident catalog. That allows the two hoses to swivel, BTW.

Rout the long hose under your right shoulder, across your chest, around your head. The length of the hose makes it much more flexible, and it's better for air sharing. Your alternate then goes on a 24" hose and is worn around your neck on a bungie necklace.

This is the most comfortable and convenient hose routing for OW diving IMO.

 

[claymore]

Another vote for MIFLEX. GREAT hoses

 

[hudson]

You might think about a 5 ft hose.

Seconded. Don't fight with making a warped hose work (that's not a natural set) - since you'll need a new hose, best is to upgrade to a 5ft hose and a donate-primary/bungeed secondary configuration. There are many threads on the boards regarding the benefits.

If you keep the regs in the bag, at least make sure it's wide open so there is no stress placed on the hoses. It's not so much preventing them from taking a set but more about extending the life of the hoses.