newbee setup

[catskill diver]

Hey all - need some help -
1. wife and I have a basic 1st / 2nd stage set up from scuba max w/ their octo. I want to put Appollos bio-filter on hers. feel free to give feedback on these - she has severe drymouth.
Q how tight is too tight when attaching what appears to be aluminum ( filter housing ) as well as her new atomic swivel. Secondly picked up a used atomic 2X, also wondering about demoting original 2nd stage scuba max to octo ( it has a pre-dive switch and intake knob were the octo that this rig came with does not ) concern is a possible leakage from this regulator while not being used if pre -dive switch is bumped ? Inexpensive set up works great way past OW depths. Figured the better
2nd in case of a problem - Help me out here ?!?

 

[knowone]

Type apollo biofilter into your computer machine. Your pre dive control is unlikely to move if your safe second is secured correctly. It controls an internal air director, vane, that you can see through the mouthpiece. In the event that it moves your reg will still provide air in an emergency. After installation use your secondary as your primary, adjust "intake knob" to desired setting, crank in a bit more swap regs and stow. Check that your ex primary now secondary does not freeflow. This routine is easier if your safe octo is bungeed around your neck with either silicone or neoprene tubing or bungee, and it will possibly make you more popular with some factions. I hope your wife enjoys breathing through her filter. I bought a Farallon one today. Very good. BULLETIN. You MUST use two spanners when undoing a hose on these regs. Very good.

 

[keyshunter]

Catskill.
A much simpler solution, without the maintenance that the biofilter requires, would be to get her a metal second stage, or a second with a metal air barrel. A Sherwood Oasis, or Blizzard second stage is also an option.

 

[spectrum]

Rather than trying to add moisture to what by design wants to be a dry system consider some other solutions to dry mouth.

1) Be sure to hydrate well leading up to the dive. A good sign is needing to pee during the dive. At the minimum, if she is not urgently in need when getting out of the water (assuming she's diving wet) she is not well hydrated.

2) When she feels dry mouth coming on she can think of a favorite food to get the saliva flowing. Once that's happening she can remove the second stage and irrigate her mouth and throat with the saliva before retuning the regulator, This can be done while swimming along and provides a regulator R&R drill at the same time!

If technique will not solve it then something like the Sherwood Oasis which has a condenser fin will recycle some of her exhaled moisture. The Blizzard will be the cold water version with the same benefit. Any metal case second stage will provide the same effect.

Pete

 

[herman]

I would not bother with the filter either. If drymouth is really a big problem, a SCUDA (self contained underwater drinking apperatus) ....I guess they still sell them, otherwise a standard backpacking hydrator will work. Or just put a juice box in the pocket of her BC, both are much simpler options. And yes you can drink underwater (assuming removing a reg from her mouth is not an issue and if it is, IMO more training may be a good idea. )

No reason not to move the Scuabmax primary to octo status, bumping of the predive will do little, esp if the cracking resistance knob is turned in a good amount. I would suggest you open it fully when not in use to reduce the pressure on the springs and seats in the reg. As for tightness, any hose fitting used in scuba equiment is sealed by an Oring. There is no need to use heavy torque on any fitting, excessive torque may do damage to the reg. Use the proper wrenches (no adjustables or scuba tools) and snug the fittings. I use a 2 finger method, I pull it snugg with 2 fingers on the wrench and even then use little force. Basically, if you can not remove them by hand it's plenty tight.

 

[catskill diver]

Pete- great points, however the dry mouth problem is actually part of a auto immune disease called sjogrens. Even fully hydrated and peeing plenty the problem is cronic. Dove w/ a couple last fall who swore by them with w/ many dives w/ little maintenance. Actually picked it up used and put in a new wick as well as I'm thinking the additional filter to stop other unknown tank particals isnt a bad idea eather. Biggest concern is how to tighten properly w/o a torq wrench as well as other tightening / link areas. Will look int a new reg like the oasis if she wants to continue diving w/ me - thanks for the tip

 

[catskill diver]

thanks herman