Dry Mouth

[drydiver]

Perhaps you should look for a physiological reason and explore some possible causes of dehydration before jumping on a new regulator to cure her problem.

I think you should be sure that she is well hydrated and has some dive experience, if she is in the 0-24 dive bracket as you, before you spend money on new regulators.

As you gain experience and get used to breathing tank air and if you stay properly hydrated the dry mouth problems should dissipate. Also if she is taking antihistamines or a host of other medications this may create dry mouth problems.

Hydration means drinking water along with drinks containing electrolytes to help replenish salts in the body. Soft drinks and diuretics like coffee and alcohol or things with sugar like gum etc. will make it harder to stay hydrated during periods of higher diving activities. Hydration begins well before your day of diving.

Look through the DAN website and do some more reading on the subject, it can't hurt and may save you some change while helping your wife to be more comfortable.

I dive an Aqualung Legend and have never experienced dry mouth, so naturally I am less inclined to think it is equipment related and more to agree with WVDiver. Also, I am wondering if the mouthpiece may be a factor, did a comfo-bite come with your reg setup? I have tried a few mouthpieces and found that made a profound difference, so you many want to experiment with that (cheaper) before buying a new reg.

Donna

 

[rstofer]

If you REALLY want to get rid of drymouth, go for a double hose, but that's a whole different level of dive-gear-geekiness.

I am still learning how to do the left roll and clear exercise! Double hose regs are a trip!

I don't know if they're available in SA but Oceanic Omega II regulators have a reputation for breathing wet. It's probably well deserved. You might find some used and out-of-service because they are no longer manufactured. My favorite regulator!

Richard

 

[keyshunter]

You may want to get into Nitrox diving. It extends your bottom time and for the most part elimates Dry mouth.
This way you can purchas the Regulators you want when you want to

NEWBIE ALERT: Pay no attention to this post. While nitrox can increase no- decompression time, it has absolutely no effect on dry mouth. There have been rumors, however, that it does promote world peace.

 

[WVDiver]

that may be the biggest piece of steamy bull squeeze I've ever read on this site.

This guy claims to be an OW Instructor too.

 

[drdaddy]

I would not consider the Sherwood Brut (or Magnum) second stage, as it does not have the metal fins that the Oasis has.

I love my (older) Sherwood Oasis. Great breathing (deep/shallow, dry/wet, cold/warm) and never dry mouth.

Sherwood regulators are great!

But - The Sherwood Brut is a not the same in either 1st or 2nd stage - it is a heavy duty, cheaper, great rental regulator. Don't even consider it for helping with dry mouth.

All that said - the best advice, so far, has come from WVDiver: "Perhaps you should look for a physiological reason and explore some possible causes of dehydration before jumping on a new regulator to cure her problem.

I think you should be sure that she is well hydrated and has some dive experience, if she is in the 0-24 dive bracket as you, before you spend money on new regulators."

drdaddy

 

[WVDiver]

I dive an Aqualung Legend and have never experienced dry mouth, so naturally I am less inclined to think it is equipment related and more to agree with WVDiver. Also, I am wondering if the mouthpiece may be a factor, did a comfo-bite come with your reg setup? I have tried a few mouthpieces and found that made a profound difference, so you many want to experiment with that (cheaper) before buying a new reg.

Donna

Interesting thought. I dive the LX Supreme and of course have the comfo-bite, which I like, but I never gave it much thought as to whether it had any bearing on dry mouth. I have used many different mouthpieces but never paid attention but then I try to stay well hydrated.

 

[widget]

I am still learning how to do the left roll and clear exercise! Double hose regs are a trip!

I don't know if they're available in SA but Oceanic Omega II regulators have a reputation for breathing wet. It's probably well deserved. You might find some used and out-of-service because they are no longer manufactured. My favorite regulator!

Richard

Yes, theres a few floating around, and come up occassionally in the 2nd hand pages of the mags and newspapers.

They were super regs I agree, last forever as well, but Oceanic here dont support them anymore with spares (if spares are still available?) - so, generally for that reason they hardly sell here anymore.

 

[Redhawk]

We had a dive session yesterday, after 47 minutes bottom time we surfaced & my wife was quite happy (better hydration) but still mentioned the dry mouth feeling. I pointed out that her instructor was using a Proton (which she has looked at & really likes [the reg, not the instructor]), he offered it to my wife to try, just a couple of breaths later she had a fat grin on her face & I'm now in the market for a MR32 Proton steel reg! LOL!!!