Inflation techniques, specifically the Scubapro BPI

[tbone1004]

Ok all, this is something I deal with every semester when we teach open water, students will rent gear and all of the ones from the scubapro shops come with the stupid Balanced Power Inflator. We teach oral inflation, especially at the surface, and since the water where we teach is cold, gloves are a mandate. So, what on earth is the logic behind having the exhaust vent that you have to cover with your hand on the inflator and who thought it was a good idea? Personally I see absolutely no benefit in it except maybe as a way to stop idiots from breathing off of the inflator. Anyone care to weigh in with the supposed benefit because our students continually ask why they are designed like that and none of us have any earthly idea.

 

[rhwestfall]

been diving the SP inflator (and its variants - though not the newest) on my gear for 25 years (and exclusively in cold water)... no idea what you are talking about...

 

[tbone1004]

bottom of the BPI has to be covered with the hand to allow for oral inflation. The Xtek from Scubapro is similar to all of the standard/normal inflators where you can orally inflate just by holding the button down.

 

[redacted]

For oral inflation with the BPI, you need to press the big button all the way down and it will seal off the exhaust port. Use a flashlight and you can see what is happening through the mouthpiece.

I have replaced all my standard inflators with SP BPIs. They just seem to be more reliable.

 

[rhwestfall]

bottom of the BPI has to be covered with the hand to allow for oral inflation. The Xtek from Scubapro is similar to all of the standard/normal inflators where you can orally inflate just by holding the button down.

umm, nope

(I will admit, after diving a different one for a year, I did have "issues' with "blow-by" when returning to the BPI, but realized that it was operator error....)

 

[tbone1004]

ok, so if the button closes it off if it is down all the way that's fine, we'll have them make sure they push it down all the way, but what is the purpose of the exhaust port then when the mouthpiece is right there? I'm not saying it's not a high quality inflator, it's just that is a very strange design consideration that I still haven't seen a reason for. Oral inflation for most divers occurs in the event of a not quite emergency but exciting time when their power inflator isn't closing off, so what is the logic on making the button have to be down all the way and then have it squeezed in sideways with your thumb. Just don't get it.... The X-tek is a pretty nice inflator, but this one I still just don'd understand the point of the exhaust vent