LM non balanced p-valve questions

[Underwater Tourist]

For people who dive the unbalanced LM p-valve without the metal screw:
- If the hose disconnects from the catheter, can water leak into the suit?
- Any issues diving in cold water?

 

[inquis]

Yes, water will enter if the hose is not attached to a catheter and the external bolt is not closed. No issues in cold water.

It's recommended that you "prime" the hose (fill it with liquid) by peeing on the surface, but I've not had an issue on the occasions I forgot to do that.

 

[Underwater Tourist]

I thought people dive them without the bolt to begin with so you don't have to prime it at all?

 

[inquis]

I dive it without the bolt, because I know I would either lose it, not unscrew it far enough, not unscrew it fast enough, or flat out forget to unscrew it if I had to unscrew it every time I had to pee underwater.

 

[Tracy]

I dive mine without the bolt. It is in the zipper pocket of my drysuit in case the hose or cath somehow came undone.
If you don't have the bolt, you don't need to prime it. Never hurts to prime it anyway. Much easier to fix a kink on the surface.

 

[Underwater Tourist]

I am also considering placing the valve a little more inwards on the thigh than conventionally done (maybe 1-1.5 inches), so it sits more between the legs

Do you guys think it might start catching on the suit when walking?

 

[rjack321]

I am also considering placing the valve a little more inwards on the thigh than conventionally done (maybe 1-1.5 inches), so it sits more between the legs

Do you guys think it might start catching on the suit when walking?

It will cause a slight wear spot on the opposite leg but in my experience not really "catch" per se

 

[Underwater Tourist]

It will cause a slight wear spot on the opposite leg but in my experience not really "catch" per se

Merci

I will add a PU patch on the opposite leg then to prevent any potential issues

 

[grantmac]

I thought this valve had a one way mushroom to prevent inward flow?

 

[grantctobin]

I thought this valve had a one way mushroom to prevent inward flow?

That is the balanced one. I have one that has lasted ten years and one that is now plugged to be unbalanced. I went with an unbalanced one for wetsuit use