H valve set up ?

[CRDiver]

H-valves are unnecessary for recreational diving and antiquated for tech diving. And having spoken with DIR-F grads, they are discussed in class, but no one is required to use them. Use a sling or pony bottle if you want/need a redundant air supply, or doubles for tech diving.

As a minimum, get rid of one of the second stages. All you need is one per valve.

The only purpose I see in having an h-valve is for a cavern or intro to cave course where they require it as a minimum. They're an old solution to an old problem that has newer, better answers.

 

[MikeFerrara]

I have do completely disagree Mike. There is a big, big difference between a CESA and a bouyant emergency ascent. As I pointed out, I limit my solo diving to 30' max and the surface is a safe option from that distance. From 100' the surface is NOT a safe option.

James

I see your point but I don't think that every one here limits their depths to 30 ft like you do.

 

[Optik]

Ive never had a regulator fail on me, only the guage. So it may not be the best solution for problem, but its better than no backup at all. I really dont want to do a 60foot dive with doubles, and i really dont want to mess with the pony bottle. So this leads me again to the H valve, not quite a redundant air supply, but it will certainly help in case of an equipment failure.

 

[CRDiver]

Question: are you able to indentify the reg shutoffs independently and close down the right one quickly in the event of a freeflow? Everyone I know - including a couple cave divers - are pretty unanimous in saying how difficult it is to do in a timely manner with an h-valve. I agree with you that doubles in 60 feet is overkill, but carrying a pony is very easy, adds minimal weight and gives true redundancy. My buddy and I both carry one and we never notice them.

 

[diverbrian]

H-valves are unnecessary for recreational diving and antiquated for tech diving. And having spoken with DIR-F grads, they are discussed in class, but no one is required to use them. Use a sling or pony bottle if you want/need a redundant air supply, or doubles for tech diving.

As a minimum, get rid of one of the second stages. All you need is one per valve.

The only purpose I see in having an h-valve is for a cavern or intro to cave course where they require it as a minimum. They're an old solution to an old problem that has newer, better answers.

I have heard this argument in the past. I now have two 120's with H-Valves. The reason is that regulators can free-flow in the Great Lakes due to simple over breathing/use at depth. Manifolded doubles are great, but not all boats have the room for them nor do I always feel like lugging around two HP100's on my back for a shore dive where I have to hike 1/4 of a mile.

Freeflow issues are simple to solve with an H-valve. Without H-Valve's, you are cutting off your main air supply while the reg takes a minute or so to "defrost". That isn't good if something else happens in the meantime.

PS, my slinged pony bottle carries EAN50. That isn't the best gas to use unless I intend to remain shallow. Many of the divers that I see with pony's put them on their tanks where they can't reach the valve if they do have a problem. I think that in a case like that the H-Valve is the more practical alternative.

 

[diverbrian]

Question: are you able to indentify the reg shutoffs independently and close down the right one quickly in the event of a freeflow? Everyone I know - including a couple cave divers - are pretty unanimous in saying how difficult it is to do in a timely manner with an h-valve. I agree with you that doubles in 60 feet is overkill, but carrying a pony is very easy, adds minimal weight and gives true redundancy. My buddy and I both carry one and we never notice them.

Just had to do that last weekend. It isn't easy, but I was able to do it. My doubles work better, but the 120 was doable.

 

[CRDiver]

I use E8-130's, and if I were diving in wrecks on a more regular basis I might consider it too. But for routine, relatively shallow rec diving, it doesn't make alot of sense. I dive exclusively in cold, dark lakes, and once in awhile make it to Wazee Lake or Lake Michigan, so I understand your point.

 

[GreenDiverDown]

This might help:

http://www.fifthd.com/e-education/productinfo/regconfig.html

...and here is a photo of a rig I once - but no longer use:

These are Y-valve setups but probably can be adapted for an H-valve...at least they show a proper routing.

 

[CRDiver]

My, my... Look at all those hose protectors...

 

[GreenDiverDown]

My, my... Look at all those hose protectors...

...and your point is?