hose protectors

[MXGratefulDiver]

Hmmm ... all this time my DIR-trained buddies have been telling me hose protectors are not good ... they trap moisture and hide potential hose problems. Makes sense to me.

Now I go check out the GUE website (while looking to set up my doubles regs) ... and they say use 'em. They're also in all the pictures in "The Fundamentals of Better Diving".

So which is it ... and why?

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[bcsean]

If you're using them, just make sure you pull them back after each dive and rinse all the salt water off the fittings.

 

[Hank49]

Hmmm ... all this time my DIR-trained buddies have been telling me hose protectors are not good ... they trap moisture and hide potential hose problems. Makes sense to me.

Now I go check out the GUE website (while looking to set up my doubles regs) ... and they say use 'em. They're also in all the pictures in "The Fundamentals of Better Diving".

So which is it ... and why?

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

I've never not used them but trapping moisture inside shouldn't be any worse than having the joint of metal and hose exposed to the sun. I just soak my whole reg in fresh water for 5 minutes or so. Never had a low pressure blow yet and use them for 500 + dives over 5 years before changing. Be careful pulling them back and inspecting all the time. If the protectors fit tight you may do more harm than good by stretching the hose at the joint.

 

[crestgel]

Which ones are good? The Scubapro ones are hard to pull back.

 

[Bob3]

Oceanic makes the best hose protectors from my point of view.
They're minimal, and can be easily pulled back & forth

 

[reubencahn]

I wouldn't use them unless the hose routing from your first stage causes a sharp bend in your hose. They prevent you from easily inspecting the metal rubber join and they do trap moisture. Even though I always rinse my regs well, when I used to use them, I would always find some minimal corrosion when I pulled them back.

 

[Hank49]

I wouldn't use them unless the hose routing from your first stage causes a sharp bend in your hose. They prevent you from easily inspecting the metal rubber join and they do trap moisture. Even though I always rinse my regs well, when I used to use them, I would always find some minimal corrosion when I pulled them back.

In my experience... warm, seawater diving... the metal part of the joint seems to outlast the rubber, or whatever the hose is made of. There is some corrosion on the ouside of the metal but the dry rotted hose is more likely to give first. I change hoses when I see the first cracks.

 

[d33ps1x]

If you're using them, just make sure you pull them back after each dive and rinse all the salt water off the fittings.

There is salt in water? Oh! You mean the greatest of lakes out there at the end of the world!

 

[CanadianDiverGirl]

I think that this is a very valid question. I was on the web last night checking out George Irvine's gear photos and although he didn't use hose protectors on his back gas, he did have one on his argon bottle.

Is there an official stance on this? I think that they are a waste of time and make my routing in doubles too stiff. Maybe MHK can help out with an "official" answer or opinion?

 

[bcsean]

There is salt in water? Oh! You mean the greatest of lakes out there at the end of the world!

Sorry, forgot not all of us get to see the Ocean.