Dump valve location on BPW

[29Clyde]

I have noticed that on a lot of BPW setups, the dump valve is on the front side of the wings (Dive-Rite, Halcyon, some Zeagle, to name a few). When swimming horizontally, this puts the valve down meaning that if you want to dump air, you need to raise the valve high enough that it will allow air to escape - a contortion that is much simpler if the valve is already on the high side. I have dove wings with valves on the front and the back and have found the valves on the back much easier to use in the context of dropping air when horizontal.

Since I know that a lot of thought goes into most technical dive gear and there is very little design-by-accident, what is the reason behind having the dump valve located on the front/down side of a BCD? The only reasons that I can think of are: (1) possible entanglement hazard, or (2) insufficient room when setup with doubles.

Enlighten me.

 

[PfcAJ]

The wing wraps up so the valve is on the outside vs inside and against the tank. If it's against the tank you've gotta get around the wing to get at the valve to dump.

 

[cool_hardware52]

As AJ noted it's not really on the "down" side of the wing. It's on the "outside"

Imagine trying to access an OPV fitted on the tank side of the wing. With the wing wrapped against the tank the diver would need to reach over the top edge of the wing and feel around between the wing and the cylinder(s)

Tobin

 

[JohnnyC]

Typically, you're not going to be dumping such a substantial amount of air that you'd need to be doing some weird contortion, and it's perfectly adequate to release a small amount for slight buoyancy changes while in proper horizontal trim. At most, a slight roll to shift the air is all that's required. Another benefit is that if the dump valve is malfunctioning, by virtue of its location, you won't lose all of the air out of your wing.

 

[BB`]

I don't know if it by design or a happy coincidence but either way it allows the wearer to run into overhead obstacles and have the wing slide on them rather than having a string and dump valve to catch.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

(never mind ... misread the post) ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[mfalco]

When you dump air, pull up instead of down.

If you just pull the string straight up toward the surface, the valve will be at the highest point.

 

[tbone1004]

When you dump air, pull up instead of down.

If you just pull the string straight up toward the surface, the valve will be at the highest point.

don't do that. Only way to control the dump is to pinch the line right at the dump valve and pull the string while pushing against the dump itself. If you do it any other way you run the risk of having the line pop out of your fingers, and/or are pulling the wing all over the place. If you have the shoulder flexibility to pull up and out, then I guess that works, but the best way is to pinch at the dump and vent that way. Most controlled way of venting the wing.

 

[mfalco]

don't do that. Only way to control the dump is to pinch the line right at the dump valve and pull the string while pushing against the dump itself. If you do it any other way you run the risk of having the line pop out of your fingers, and/or are pulling the wing all over the place. If you have the shoulder flexibility to pull up and out, then I guess that works, but the best way is to pinch at the dump and vent that way. Most controlled way of venting the wing.

Either you misunderstood me, or you are trying to make thing way too complex. Watch this video I found on youtube, at the 1:45 point he is pulling the dump valve the way I was trying to describe.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFKQmjbwIH0

 

[Lorenzoid]

My instructor described his view of the "proper" way as pulling on the string as though you were trying to wrap the wing around the tank.