Actually I think another agency was the first to stop teaching buddy breathing back in the '80's. I think it was NASE, but i'm not positive about the agency.scubapro50:
Free-flowing Regulator
- Thread starter Dochueb
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jbd:
According to a NAUI Instructor that I know, the reasons (and this instructor does teach buddy breathing as an absolute last resort) involve the fact that buddy breathing is too easy to screw up if it is not done properly.
As DMP's buddy on his free-flow incident, I can say that buoyancy in newer rig (my new drysuit was enough more buoyant to cause an issue with my doubles at a lower pressure) with an air share going on can be enough of a witch. Throw in having to swap regs back and forth and I see why buddy breathing is not taught in recreational training. If someone had to use it, Mr. Murphy says that it would be a buddy of opportunity that couldn't hold buoyancy and that you wouldn't be practiced with to this level. This is not a good combination.
PADI and SSI both insist on having snorkels. I wished that they would send that requirement down the wayside as I can count on one hand the number of times that I have used a snorkel in the last year and a half.
We are taught to handle free-flows, but much the same way as DMP and I did. Go to a controlled airshare ascent and have your buddy shut off the offending reg. Re-open when you think that it defrosted and you will likely have a functioning regulator. Breathe through it only until you get the buddy's primary.
If tech diving, obviously we immediately switch regulators and isolate the offender. A couple of minutes later we re-open the free-flowing regulator and often continue the dive. We had better not need our dive buddy to accomplish this task at the level of technical diving. It is a basic skill. (I love having two identical first stages connected to my gas supply
).I can attest to the fact that free flows happen. You don't have to be deep or in cold water. I am a PADI certified divemaster, certified in 1989, and used to work regularly with a LDS assisting with Open water, advanced and rescue classes. I actually had a high pressure seat blow out in the deep end of the pool during a confined water session with an Open Water class. Needless to say, the students got a perfect demonstration of the proper way to deal with the problem, as I made a textbook quality free flow ascent from about 8 feet (the bottom is 12 feet). 
As to Buddy Breathing, it was still taught when I got certified, and while I was assisting with classes. I've been out of the instructional loop for several years now, so I only know that it's not a required skill for PADI certification any more. But when I did my DM certification, one of the required tests was the equipment exchange (known to us as the Stress Test). For any not familiar with it, you were required to go with your buddy to the deep end of the pool, then both of you completely swap gear while buddy breathing. That included mask, fins, BCD and scuba gear. Then do a proper, albeit brief, ascent. I think most DM candidates spent more time practicing for that skill than for any other test. My buddy and I probably spent 10 hours or more underwater swapping back and forth. Then, when it came time to do it, we ended up doing a 3 way swap, as the buddy of one of the other student's dropped out just before the test, so we invited him to join us. We did a 3-way buddy breathing exercise while doing the swap. Kind of a kick actually.
As to Buddy Breathing, it was still taught when I got certified, and while I was assisting with classes. I've been out of the instructional loop for several years now, so I only know that it's not a required skill for PADI certification any more. But when I did my DM certification, one of the required tests was the equipment exchange (known to us as the Stress Test). For any not familiar with it, you were required to go with your buddy to the deep end of the pool, then both of you completely swap gear while buddy breathing. That included mask, fins, BCD and scuba gear. Then do a proper, albeit brief, ascent. I think most DM candidates spent more time practicing for that skill than for any other test. My buddy and I probably spent 10 hours or more underwater swapping back and forth. Then, when it came time to do it, we ended up doing a 3 way swap, as the buddy of one of the other student's dropped out just before the test, so we invited him to join us. We did a 3-way buddy breathing exercise while doing the swap. Kind of a kick actually.
Buoyant1
Contributor
I would rather learn it and know how it feels if it does happen (and in a pool where you can stay in a controlled environment) rather than have it happen in the ocean, not really know what it is or how to deal with it and...plain and simple....DIE! (or get severely injured)
I played with my new gear in a pool again today, and tried a few safety skills for the heck of it, why not?
Hey RP...crongrats on the "menage" hahaha! sounds fun! hahaha!!!
I played with my new gear in a pool again today, and tried a few safety skills for the heck of it, why not?
Hey RP...crongrats on the "menage" hahaha! sounds fun! hahaha!!!
A dive buddy had a free flow at 70 feet new year's eve. They switched to their octo rather than breath off of the free flowing primary, then took my pony and we surfaced slowly together. We were only 12 minutes into the dive.
Free flows happen, and while switching to another reg is the easiest 'fix', being able to breath off of a free flow is important, if only to mitigate panic in that situation and know that it IS possible.
Free flows happen, and while switching to another reg is the easiest 'fix', being able to breath off of a free flow is important, if only to mitigate panic in that situation and know that it IS possible.
Squalus
The Good Humor Guy
PlanoDvr1:
I don't think so, easier to just shut it off and wait.
PlanoDvr1:
If it's the second stage causing the free flow it might work but if it's the first that's the problem kinking the hose will just apply 3000 psi (or whatever pressure your tank is charged to) to your LOW PRESSURE hose and that aint going to work out well.
they really nead to teach about these things in entry level classes before somebody (else) gets hurt.
scubapro50:
buddy breathing is optional and may be taught if the instructor thinks it is a valuable skill, but free flow and snorkle wearing is mandatory and MUST be taught by EVERY padi instructor to EVERY student.
Personally I dont teach BB, I think that alternate air sources make it a redundant skill, and in the event that inexpert divers acutally try to use it, it can put the rescuer in more danger than the victim, with sometimes fatal results, thus violating the rules of self rescue.
JM2C
Learning to breathe from a free flowing reg is important and it does happen in warm water. My best friend had it happen to him last year in Cozumel. Of course, he was an idiot and hadn't had his reg serviced in about 10yrs (I wasn't into scuba then, so I wasn't his buddy!!). Important thing is he dealt with the situation without it becoming an issue. He and I won't be diving together this season until he gets his whole octo serviced. Why wait 10yrs to have a pc of life support equipment serviced??? I'm still scratching my head over that one.
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