Knobs on dump valves?

[landphil]

I will say, I’ve been on multiple dives where someone’s dump valve pull string (for a shoulder dump, on a Hydros BCD if I remember right) got stuck under a strap and was holding the dump valve open. One of those occasions, it was actually somewhat dramatic, with the person unable to establish positive buoyancy on the surface and getting churned by big-ish waves. That sold me on dump valve toggles being a bad idea.

I dive with drygloves year round I don’t find finding the dump valve hard, even with deco bottles on the left. With a little practice, it’s easy to find, although replacing the stock string with something a bit stiffer/thicker does help.

That was my wife's state 90% of the time right after putting on her Hydros BC. But that's an especially problematic dump string, made worse by Scubapro's odd ideas of how women are shaped. We've both moved to BPWs, so no more shoulder dump strings. I don't remember seeing any issues with the butt dump toggle or string getting tangled with the BC, though.

 

[inquis]

I have a figure-8 knot as close to the housing as I can (perhaps 1/4" or 6mm). I find the housing, then the knot with thumb and index fingers, then just pinch to let a spurt of air out. I almost never need to "pull hard" for a substantial release of gas, but I guess I could if needed.

The knot close to the housing allows precision venting. I can feel it with or without dry gloves.

 

[happy-diver]

No knob required.

During my first course with @kierentec I noticed how he used all his fingers to first locate the OPV and then he used his index finger to spool the cord around it for a precise burp of his wing.

There's nothing like some thinking mans dump string pulling in the morning

Especially with some thick strong string with integrated stiffness for twidling

Where the dump is actually the knob which you find first then pull the string

 

[KenE]

I still use a SP jacket style BC and the shoulder dump string and dongle are problematic. I have never used that dump valve other than to fill the BC with water for flushing. I cut the string and tied a knot about an inch away from the valve. This never gets in the way or trapped. I use the kidney dump for everything. I did try the knot but had difficult finding it with 5mil gloves, so put the dongle back on. I have never had that dongle catch or snag on anything. So, it will stay there for now.

 

[tyson155]

There's nothing like some thinking mans dump string pulling in the morning

View attachment 905698

Especially with some thick strong string with integrated stiffness for twidling

View attachment 905699

Where the dump is actually the knob which you find first then pull the string

Thanks for sharing - the pics are helpful. I have seen something like this before. Thicker string seems nice as long as it slides freely.

 

[Nemrod]

Now, who removes the rubber mouthpieces from their K-inflators ?

I have used CA glue (super glue) to stiffen the end and knot sections of the pull string.

 

[iliketopetsharks]

Now, who removes the rubber mouthpieces from their K-inflators ?

Guilty as charged. They're useless.

 

[Chavodel8en]

If my dongle gets caught on something (which never happened to me in decades of diving)... so what? So I would need to adjust and would lose some gas.

My thickly gloved hands prefer some kind of dongle. That being said, my wing came with just a knot - and I often fumble trying to get ahold of the knot - but after several years I haven't added a dongle, even tho every now and then I think about doing so.

Edit - im speaking about kidney dump.

 

[Nemrod]

Dongle knobs fall into the same categories as suicide clips, carabiners, retractors, consoles, hose protectors, spg boots, BFKs, split fins and other non-cool things.

 

[Olsen_No]

From what I have heard people remove the dongle to avoid the boltsnaps for the SPG, or worst, a stage, gets snaps on.

One do anyway pull on the string and not the dongle so not strictly needed.