Freeflows

[b1gcountry]

A potentially interesting thread was started here:
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ontario-fresh-water-freaks/219851-time-year-freeflows.html
and then severely derailed. If anyone would like to continue the conversation without banter, please do so...

Super Nanny

 

[Jimmy B]

Although one can not predict when and how a freeflow can or will happen, there is several methods to help minimize the freeflow from happening. As from here in Ottawa we do cover the water to keep it fresh in the winter.

• If your regulators have a enviromental seal option, don't forget to have it checked first
• Do not breath on your regs before entering the water
• Carry your regulators in the cab of your vechicle not the unheated part
• use decent cold water rated regulators
• have your regulators serviced properly, and when asked to replace parts, do not cheap out and say no. This happened to a poster and they choose that method and turned it into a "don't go there" issue. PM me for further details

 

[skippy31]

I personally try to avoid diving in 0C water. If the water is actually 0C a free flow is much more likely. Ice diving in a lake or quarry avoids this issue since the water at depth is generally well above 0C thus reducing the chance of free flow issues.

The water is usually only 0C in the rivers in mid winter to early spring.

Of course there are the salt water areas where the water temp can fall below 0C as well...

I'm not saying you can't dive in 0C (or below) water, just that your more likely to encounter free flow issues especially if a reg is not tuned correctly or has insufficient heat sinking capability.

Skippy31

 

[shoredivr]

I was diving in 33 degree Fahrenheit water yesterday in Georgian Bay. Nobody's reg freeflowed, but there was a cold inflator hose which bubbled (stopped doing this when hose was tested at room temperature several hours later) and cold o-rings, resulting in one bubbling pressure gauge hose.