Left vs right kidney dump valve?

[dumpsterpurrs]

What's the rationale behind left vs right kidney dump valve? I've always thought it felt natural to have my left hand dedicated to the inflator and right hand is in charge of the kidney dump valve, and that whichever position I happen to be in (leaning left or right) I can still immediately dump air without flipping over. But I've recently noticed most wings seem to have left kidney dump valve instead of right. How come? What's the advantage of left vs right in the context of tropical rec diving?

EDIT: found this very relevant thread: DIR- GUE - Why is wing dump valve on left?. Many good points re: tech and cold water diving etc. I'm still trying to decide if it should be the preferred setup for easy rec diving.

 

[passeparici]

You don't use the inflator and the kidney dump at the same time (even if you want to deflate with your inflator your body position is not the same so you use one or the other but not both at the same time) so it is not a problem if it is on the same side. For me there is no advantage (or disadvantage) either side. Just a question of getting use to it.

 

[Badger7]

I don't know that I've ever felt like I needed both at the same time, but I think dumping gas with the left hand is more about freeing up the right hand for other simultaneously important tasks such as donating gas, following a line by touch, having your computer visible to watch depth and rate on a blue water ascent, etc.

The reason I get annoyed sometimes by the left hand dump is switching my light off to my right all the time so I'm not wildly flashing it around in the dark when dumping gas using either the inflator or dump valve.

We only have two hands, there's no perfect solutions, only reasonable compromises.

 

[Brett Hatch]

I'm not GUE trained. But I do enjoy reading their stuff from time to time... I believe that the answer is in post #4 in the thread you linked:

With a runaway inflator you can dump gas with your left hand while you turn off the tank valve with your right hand (while also kicking down).

There are a number of other advantages to the left (and disadvantages to the right) discussed in the thread. To my mind, most of them are relevant for overhead environments with manifolded doubles. So to answer the question in the OP: in the context of tropical single-tank diving, I do not think that it matters at all

But, the DIR/GUE configuration is purpose-built for cave diving. And part of the philosophy is to match the cave diving doubles config as closely as possible in other types of diving as well. This helps build diver muscle memory, and encourages team cohesiveness

 

[Nemrod]

I prefer the kidney dump be to the left side. BC/suit/spg stuff left, breathing air stuff right. My left hand is more often free to dump or inflate. I cannot really remember the last time I used the inflator to dump air, I always vent from the kidney dump. Saying "prefer" means a preference, I cannot see any reason if another preferred the dump to be on the right that there would be any particular harm.

 

[scubadada]

I've had my butt dump on the right for a very long time, it's second nature. It's the only dump I use, gives me very good control

 

[dumpsterpurrs]

Which wing even has the kidney dump valve on the right? Pretty much all of the common brands are on the left. My wing (Aqualung Outlaw wing, married to OMS IQ Lite harness) has it on the right, but that's super rare. I'm struggling to find another with right kidney dump valve.

Also, to clarify, I don't mean using both the the inflator and dump valve simultaneously, just the ability to use either of them at any point without changing my body position. I dive in trim but my body isn't always parallel to the absolute bottom, I like to glide around like flying if that makes sense.

 

[Bottom Surveyor]

Mares XR wings have switchable kidney dumps. You can choose if you prefer left or right.

 

[NothingClever]

I think it has more to do with preserving the right hand for the DPV trigger.