Drysuit dump valve trouble

[dive2617]

I have trouble dumping from my drysuit dump because of the way the drysuit excess material folds on my left arm when in the water. I have to use my right hand to push the valve upward in order to get it to dump. DRIS is going to work on my suit for something unrelated and I talked to them about moving the dump valve and they can but only can do it by moving it a significant distance to put it essentially over my triceps. I am tempted because I hate how hard it is to dump it currently but worried it will dump too easily if I move it that far. Anyone have any thoughts on this dilemma?

 

[elan]

What suit is that ? My Bare Trilam had the valve on a biceps, It was near impossible to dump in a horizontal trim. I relocated it to the outside like it is on say a DUI suit and it works like a charm now.

 

[Alekseolsen]

Do you have a "high profile" valve?

I had the same issue quite som time ago -changed to a low profile valve (the external part is wider) and have never looked back.

You easily change the valve yourself.

 

[dive2617]

What suit is that ? My Bare Trilam had the valve on a biceps, It was near impossible to dump in a horizontal trim. I relocated it to the outside like it is on say a DUI suit and it works like a charm now.

It is a USIA techniflex. Did you find it dumping too easily after moving the valve?

Do you have a "high profile" valve?

I had the same issue quite som time ago -changed to a low profile valve (the external part is wider) and have never looked back.

You easily change the valve yourself.

It is an SI tech low profile valve

 

[Astrobratt]

I have an instructor who is a dry suit specialist, he has us do an exercise every time we get in the water with a dry suit. we lay flat and inflate the suit until we are "Michelin man" then wriggle around to get the suit to be flat and well-fitting, then de flate. this may help? let me know

 

[elan]

It is a USIA techniflex. Did you find it dumping too easily after moving the valve?


It is an SI tech low profile valve

No it dumps just right.

 

[drk5036]

It is a USIA techniflex. Did you find it dumping too easily after moving the valve?

I don’t understand how a drysuit could “dump too easily”…if you don’t want that much air going out, just tighten the valve. It’s made to maintain a set volume of air. Make sure you know how to use your gear.

 

[stepfen]

I am struggling with exactly the same right now too. In my case, I am trying a second-hand D1 waterproof suit before making the final decision to buy it or not. Today I did the third dive with it.
The dump valve is located on my biceps too and indeed it seems practically impossible to dump air while in horizontal trim. The valve simply can't get to the highest point with horizontal body unless you turn upside down or something.
From the trials I've been doing so far I fount that the fastest way to dump air is to turn my whole body vertical. Then the dump valve woks great releasing a lot of gas quite fast, but of course that's far from ideal. The other way is to go off-trim i.e. head up a bit (say 45 degrees), wait a bit so that air gathers around shoulders and then by raising the elbow some air is released. My problem so far is that this way the air escapes the valve too slowly hence I need to stay in this "strange" position (body tilted up, with elbow stretched upwards, and feet feeling the squeeze) for quite some time to release enough gas.
All these with the valve fully open of course. I can't even imagine doing these with even partially closed valve.
Another thing that bothers me is that with BCD you learn to plan ahead (eg release air before becoming too buoyant). With the drysuit on the other hand, in order to be able to release air you should have already assented enough to have "expanded" air in the suit ready to escape through the valve.
I guess I just need more practice, but of course any guidance or extra info will be much appreciated.
Thanks

 

[elan]

Another thing that bothers me is that with BCD you learn to plan ahead (eg release air before becoming too buoyant). With the drysuit on the other hand, in order to be able to release air you should have already assented enough to have "expanded" air in the suit ready to escape through the valve.
I guess I just need more practice, but of course any guidance or extra info will be much appreciated.
Thanks

The valve needs very little pressure to release gas. You merely need to feel the suit stopping “hugging” you tight and you can move enough air to dump already.

 

[elan]

I have an instructor who is a dry suit specialist, he has us do an exercise every time we get in the water with a dry suit. we lay flat and inflate the suit until we are "Michelin man" then wriggle around to get the suit to be flat and well-fitting, then de flate. this may help? let me know

This helps with spreading you garments so they do not limit the movement, but it will do little to the issue OP experiences.