Hose Protectors Don't?

[Crush]

HI all,

I just read a tech tip at divegearexpress which stated, basically, that hose protectors have not been demonstrated to protect hoses, and that, in fact, they can contribute to hose deterioration. Who are you and how do you feel about this?

Please bare with me - I am trying to put together my first SB poll and don't know how to do this (searching SB was not fruitful).

 

[BodenseeDiver]

so I have also dismantled everybody hose protectors because:
Mud gathers under it and destroys the tube and or the coupling piece, wear out so high!
I am not a tech - Diver but I would like to keep mine equipment with pleasure long and the healthy one

 

[keithdiver]

I have heard the Same thing From Bob Sherwood, a GUE instructor, I also highly recommend you take a Fundies class with him. You will not be disappointed!!!!!!!

 

[GrumpyOldGuy]

When I started swapping hose awhile back I found discoloration on the fittings under the hose protectors. Simply rinsing the reg in fresh water for a few minutes was not getting all the salt off the fitting under the protectors. Not the end of the world, but a sign of poor maintenance on my part.

Now I tend to remove most of the buggers so I can see what is going on. I have a couple of hoses that rout awkwardly, I leave the protectors on those but am now careful to slip them up and rinse under them. If I had better regulators with ideal hose routing, I would dump all of them.

 

[Cave Diver]

I protect my hoses by using regulators and hose routings that keeps them from binding or catching. If you're determined to use a hose protector as a strain relief, I'd recommend periodically pulling them back and checking them for wear, deterioration, corrosion, or other hidden problems.

Personally I tossed mine just after completing AOW and haven't found it to be an issue not having them. YMMV.

 

[Divin'Papaw]

I made a decision very early on shortly after I purchased my first regulator to never use them. I've never regretted that decision.

 

[vladimir]

I think that tip's been on their website for a decade or so, because that's what got me to get rid of mine.

 

[Nemrod]

I use them, they work. Going back years and years it is apparent which hoses had protectors and which one didn't, well, actually not because the ones that didn't are long gone. Hose protectors are not created equal, I like the rubber ones with the drainage ribs. Of course, if you carry your equipment by the hose as I often see done, nothing will help.

N

 

[DCBC]

Hose protectors do lessen wearing of the hose if it's subjected to heavy use (such as in the commercial sector). I've never experienced mud under the protector, but I don't drag my regs in the mud. It's part of my routine maintenance to pull back, rinse and dry under the protector periodically. I use rubber vented protectors, so collection of foreign material and water retention isn't usually a problem.

 

[OldNSalty]

Plus hose protectors look so cool with all the color and the matching hose-wrap. I just know the sea life is checking me out and thinking 'what a studdly lookin diver'

But seriously, what are they suppose to protect and against what? Is it the fittings that screw into the stages? I have some stuff with, some stuff without. Should I buy some more?

I've never really given it much thought except that it doesn't look like it is providing much protection. I do clean out from under them but have never noticed a problem.