Halcyon Dump Value String Replacement

[bwerb]

Open your fingers wide as possible reach back palm to the valve and "cup" the plastic valve body. Close your fingers back together (flat or slightly cupped palm around the valve). You will have captured the string between two of your fingers. Then give the string a little twist (like twirling hair) and pull to the outside.

You will hit the string everytime and the little twist will give you more control. If you want, you can even "bend" the corner of the wing slightly as you roll a bit to aid the air shifting to the valve position.

Since we were shown this, we've never had a problem dumping with gloves again.

 

[Soggy]

bwerb once bubbled...
Open your fingers wide as possible reach back palm to the valve and "cup" the plastic valve body. Close your fingers back together (flat or slightly cupped palm around the valve). You will have captured the string between two of your fingers. Then give the string a little twist (like twirling hair) and pull to the outside.

This is exactly what I do and I'm still seriously considering putting something else on.

 

[Dr. Jay]

I've found the thing a pain to reach sometimes too....same worries as others.

I've seen a DIY website where they replaced the string with some cave line. How about tying a bigger knot in the end? Still an entanglement hazard?

I agree about the whole plastic knob thing. I don't exactly like the idea of reaching back and groping for a ball anyway.

 

[peter_steinhoff]

Guys,
the ball is not an entanglement hazard in itself. The problem is that it can get get stuck between two stages on the way down, making it impossible to inflate the wings. I've actually seen it happen myself.

Anyway, most wings have the standard $1 dumpvalve with a very thin cheap slippery polyester string (which makes sense if you have a ball attached).

By replacing it with caveline you get a better grip and you can feel the thicker line better, even with very thick drygloves. And without causing any other problems I might add.

This is of course not a substitute for good technique - it's a cold water adaptation and several GUE instructors do it to their wings (if it makes anybody feel better

It actually works very well for divers without gloves too...

Best,
Peter Steinhoff
dir-diver.com

 

[Dr. Jay]

peter_steinhoff once bubbled...
the ball is not an entanglement hazard in itself. The problem is that it can get get stuck between two stages on the way down, making it impossible to inflate the wings. I've actually seen it happen myself.

Ahh...makes sense. Feeling the thicker line would seem much easier.

I guess it wouldn't be too much of a problem on a single tank wing, considering you probably won't be carrying 2 stages. But we are talking about double tank wings here, right? :bonk:

Anyway, point well taken.