Flooded reg - what to do?

[MASS-Diver]

I was diving today and my reg unscrewed a bit at the connection of the 2nd stage and the hose while I was underwater. I shut the post down and surfaced. Some water got into the 2nd stage, the hose, and probably the 1ststage. I opened up the 2nd stage to let it dry and I took the hose off - but I'm not really confortable (and I don't have a spanner) opening up the 1st stage. The regs are DS4/AX50s - this is only my 2nd dive with them - it was freshwater. What should I do? Thanks!

 

[Diver0001]

Just remove the spg and the hose. Put a plug in the hp port and put a towel over the 1st stage (with the LP open) and open the tank. All/any water in the first stage will be blown out. You can also put the 2nd stage back on and purge through the 2nd stage and it will clean that out too.

R..

 

[archman]

Does that technique work with other 1st stages? I didn't know it was so... simple.

 

[Diver0001]

It depends what you got in your reg. Salt water or very dirty water can clog up the reg reducing performance. Fresh water, on the other hand, isn't such a big problem.

R..

 

[scubadoguk]

It depends what you got in your reg. Salt water or very dirty water can clog up the reg reducing performance. Fresh water, on the other hand, isn't such a big problem.

R..

And DON'T overtighten the conection it is the o-ring that makes the seal NOT over doing the wrech work.
Seems silly to say but if in doubt take it in to a store.

 

[msandler]

if you don't have a plug for the hp port don't worry - not necessary. Also don't blast the air out of the 1st. Let the air through slow enoung to aviod excessively cold temps (condensation on the reg and valve) thus creating more moisture in the reg and valve. I would be concerned about the tank. If the water is anything but clean, I would have it taken down, properly cleaned (a must do if tank, valve or reg will see O2 service). It sounds like a bit of time has passed, you might want to have it cleaned properly anyway. Unless you have a legit gas management concern, avoid shuting the valve, it takes an amazing amount of time to empty a tank through a leak. You have to surface anyway, leave it pressurized to avoid gear and ascent complications.

 

[MASS-Diver]

if you don't have a plug for the hp port don't worry - not necessary. Also don't blast the air out of the 1st. Let the air through slow enoung to aviod excessively cold temps (condensation on the reg and valve) thus creating more moisture in the reg and valve. I would be concerned about the tank. If the water is anything but clean, I would have it taken down, properly cleaned (a must do if tank, valve or reg will see O2 service). It sounds like a bit of time has passed, you might want to have it cleaned properly anyway. Unless you have a legit gas management concern, avoid shuting the valve, it takes an amazing amount of time to empty a tank through a leak. You have to surface anyway, leave it pressurized to avoid gear and ascent complications.

As as I surfaced I realized what a mistake it was closing the valve. We were doing some weighting stuff in 15' water so I only had 500psi and just on instinict I shut down the post - but it was not necessary

Thanks to everyone for the advice.

 

[MASS-Diver]

Upon closer examination, it appears the O-ring inside the hose (going to the second stage) failed. The O-ring is still in place, but is missing about 1/3 of it (god only knows where that broken off bit has went).

This was brand a new 7'er - what a bummer. I suspect the O-ring failed when I was free-flowing the reg (in 44deg water) to drain my tanks down for a weight check

 

[msandler]

sounds like you caused a 1st stage freeflow (hmm apeks eh) Stuff happens - glad you're OK. Successfully negotiating this, is whats makes a safe <read - good> diver. It takes a combination of training AND experience.

 

[rescuediver009]

Ro has it right, even if you never blewit out, it would evaporate eventually. Not a huge deal. All the hoses pass the air and what little water is there through to the regs or BCD which gets expelled, the reason for removing the SPG is that you dont want water in them as there is no opening on the end.