Mouthpiece Detaching from Regulator

[rehmwa]

I'm VERY new to the sport - how common is it for the regulator to pop off of the mouthpiece during use? Happening during my open water cert course. (Of course while doing a blind drill).

 

[PhilEllis]

I'm VERY new to the sport - how common is it for the regulator to pop off of the mouthpiece during use? Happening during my open water cert course. (Of course while doing a blind drill).

It is not common at all. It can happen, but when it does, it is typically the result of poor equipment maintenance.

Phil Ellis
www.divesports.com

 

[Lee Taylor]

You will usually notice them leaking water into your mouth when they get loose. Its hard to focus with water spray going into your windpipe. I saw a video where a girl was turning backflips underwater and the stress caused the mouthpiece to pop off.

It is a pretty easy fix. Just significantly tighten the wire tie that holds the mouth piece on.

 

[Couv]

Hello Rehmwa,

Welcome to Scuba Board.

Wow, what a time for that to happen. As Phil said, it does not (should not) happen often. In fact, more often on rental/class gear the mouthpiece gets a small rip and has a slight leak. At any rate, now that this has happened to you, you'll always remember to check the integrity of the mouthpiece and the zip tie or what ever fastening device is used to hold it in place. While your at it, do a hand tight inspection of all hose connections at both ends; i.e.. the ends where they connect to the fist stage, second stage and gauge.

Couv

 

[*dave*]

If the zip tie used to secure the mouthpiece is installed properly, it should never happen.

All our students have personal mouthpieces they take home between classes, the install them for pool/OW. As a DC, my worst pool experience was seeing a student with just their mouthpiece in their mouth and the reg floating somewhere else. I usually managed to get to them before they took in water, but a couple bolted and some would take it in stride.

As an instructor, I make sure all mouthpieces are secured with zip ties, which I provide. It's a small investment and has slowed the graying process.

 

[rehmwa]

As a DC, my worst pool experience was seeing a student with just their mouthpiece in their mouth and the reg floating somewhere else.

So not that rare then.......highlights my gear checks from now on.

yup - that was me. A mouthpiece without a regulator is just a big straw. You can't breathe water.

Mouth of water, blow it out - inhale another mouth of water, blow it out, inhale another (while the mask was full for the drill). I did a CESA at that point, but frankly wished I'd have felt for the reg (it would have been apparent at that point) and then gone for the alternate instead - pretty embarassing as I wish I'd have shown more composure at that point. It took about a minute to cough out all the water I inhaled, but finished the course anyway right after. And it would have been more impressive to have coughed it out at depth on a good regulator than bolting for the surface...

thanks for the info guys, my lesson learned is a couple

1 - check everything myself
2 - get my own gear soon and know it intimately

 

[*dave*]

Not so rare when the zip tie is missing.

Not a knock on you, but that secondary reg works pretty well in this situation. Not many students have the presence of mind at the time to go to it, though.

So not that rare then.......highlights my gear checks from now on.

yup - that was me. A mouthpiece without a regulator is just a big straw. You can't breathe water.

Mouth of water, blow it out - inhale another mouth of water, blow it out, inhale another (while the mask was full for the drill). I did a CESA at that point, but frankly wished I'd have felt for the reg (it would have been apparent at that point) and then gone for the alternate instead - pretty embarassing as I wish I'd have shown more composure at that point. It took about a minute to cough out all the water I inhaled, but finished the course anyway right after. And it would have been more impressive to have coughed it out at depth on a good regulator than bolting for the surface...

thanks for the info guys, my lesson learned is a couple

1 - check everything myself
2 - get my own gear soon and know it intimately

 

[rehmwa]

Not many students have the presence of mind at the time to go to it, though.

I like to think that, at least, if I had my mask cleared when it happened, I'd have seen the issue quicker/correctly and responded better. All my other sports require composure and timely decision making.

But that is a lesson that will stick.

You can still breath from the primary if needed. Just have to hold it. right?

thanks you guys

 

[*dave*]

Next time it happens (which I doubt it will), you'll be ready for it.

I like to think that, at least, if I had my mask cleared when it happened, I'd have seen the issue quicker/correctly and responded better. All my other sports require composure and timely decision making.

But that is a lesson that will stick.

You can still breath from the primary if needed. Just have to hold it. right?

thanks you guys

Yep, wrap your lips around it, purge and breath.

 

[LeadTurn_SD]

...You can still breath from the primary if needed. Just have to hold it. right?

thanks you guys

Yes! You'll need to hold the reg as you mentioned, but you can wrap your lips around the tube that the mouthpiece slips over, and breath just fine. Sort of like sipping from a very large straw...

Best wishes.

Edit: Oooops, missed the 2nd half of Dave's post, he already answered.