Ever descended with your air turned off?

[creamofwheat]

Well...have you?

I nearly did last night for the first time ever. i turned on my air but just enough to check the psi (which i normally do...then i open it up all the way up just before getting all geared up). anyway, long story short, i forgot to finish turning it on all the way. i started descending and thought something may be off, but fininshed the descent anyway. once i was under at about 70ft, i knew something was NOT right. my reg was breathing hard and i was really sucking on it. oye. signalled to buddy that something wasnt right but wasnt quite sure what...he checked my valve and lo and behold i could breathe easily again. what a weird and bizarre experience. i think i learnt my lesson. always tripple check my tank valve before going under. oh yes.

so, has anybody actually descended with the valve not even on? or just a little bit like mine? experiences?

 

[jeckyll]

Scary.

I don't fiddle with my tank valve. I check the pressure at the shop when I pick it up.

Then when I'm setting up my gear I turn it on. Once. I don't turn it back off. I don't let anyone else touch my valve.

Before getting into the water I breath both regs, 3 deep breaths, while watching my SPG.

 

[Sasquatch]

Good on your buddy for checking the valve first. Good on you for keeping your head and working it out.

No, to answer your question, my procedure is very much like jeckyll's.

Sea ya!

 

[do it easy]

That hasn't happened to me, but it's on my list of things that keep me up at night. My valves are either fully on or fully off, then I check them before I jump in, just in case someone messed with them. If I'm jumping off a boat, and the DM checks my valves, I check them again so that I am the last person to touch them before I splash.

Good work keeping cool and solving your problems underwater!

 

[BIGSAGE136]

Everyone should learn to set their rig so that they can reach their tank valve. I cant say what a life saver that is!

 

[lamont]

Well...have you?

I nearly did last night for the first time ever. i turned on my air but just enough to check the psi (which i normally do...then i open it up all the way up just before getting all geared up). anyway, long story short, i forgot to finish turning it on all the way. i started descending and thought something may be off, but fininshed the descent anyway. once i was under at about 70ft, i knew something was NOT right. my reg was breathing hard and i was really sucking on it. oye. signalled to buddy that something wasnt right but wasnt quite sure what...he checked my valve and lo and behold i could breathe easily again. what a weird and bizarre experience. i think i learnt my lesson. always tripple check my tank valve before going under. oh yes.

so, has anybody actually descended with the valve not even on? or just a little bit like mine? experiences?

Did basically that, only it was turned off a bit more, and at 60 fsw it basically quit and I did an OOA. Back around dive #20 or so. I know how to do valve drills now...

 

[Derek S]

Everyone should learn to set their rig so that they can reach their tank valve. I cant say what a life saver that is!

Bingo there BIGSAGE. Nail on the head.

I couldn't imagine not making ultra sure my air is on before getting in the water, but I will always have to be able to reach my valve(s).

 

[Rick Murchison]

No pictures, it never happened...
Rick

 

[cdiver2]

Scary.

I don't fiddle with my tank valve. I check the pressure at the shop when I pick it up.

Then when I'm setting up my gear I turn it on. Once. I don't turn it back off. I don't let anyone else touch my valve.

Before getting into the water I breath both regs, 3 deep breaths, while watching my SPG.

I set up my gear and check every thing. Contents, reg, octo and BC before leaving the dock, that way if there is a problem I have more options on shore. (this is also the time I do a check with my buddy)
Then it is shut down, I have seen so many things go wrong traveling (on boat) when the valve is open, especially in bumpy water.
When I get ready for the dive open check again and go.

 

[JustinW]

I have certainly seen it done, on more than one occasion, but thats usually with students. I have seen one certified diver do it once, we still don't let him forget it. Good job on the calm response.