Newbie question about pull dumps.

[Mason Gierke]

I have been reading alot on this board trying to soak up all the knowledge I can, and it seems there are plenty of people that like pull dumps. When I got certified they didn't have us use pull dumps, we just used the button on the inflator to release the air when needed, I didn't have a problem with that, I'm just wondering why one option is better than the other or is it just all personal preference?

 

[RainPilot]

A rear pull dump is much easier to use if you are in a horizontal position. The hose button can only work if the mouthpiece is higher than the bladder which means that you will need to tilt up toward vertical to use in some configurations.

I use both, the hose to initiate a descent from the surface and the rear pull dump to fine tune buoyancy during the dive.

Either will work but once you are swimming in trim you will find the rear dump much easier once you are used to it.

 

[2airishuman]

It depends on your BC and on the situation.

The "bubble" of air in your BC moves around and moves to the highest-elevated part of the BC. To dump air, you must use an air dump that is located where the bubble is. In most cases, if you use the exhaust button on the power inflator, you will have to "break trim," that is, swim with your head higher than your feet.

Backplate and Wing BCs are popular on Scubaboard. These typically have a pull dump near the waist, that is useful for dumping a small amount of air while in horizontal trim on BCs of this type.

Other BCs have pull dumps in various other locations. For example, my daughter's Scubapro BC has a pull dump at the front of the shoulders. Some BCs have multiple pull dumps. Use what works in the situation you're in.

 

[Damselfish]

Preference. I personally don't like using the button on the inflator because I have to be in a certain position and lift the hose, which isn't always convenient. Also don't like to use the style of dump where you pull on the hose, which has a wire or cord inside. I just don't like pulling on a hose, also find it harder to judge how much to pull to do what I want. (I've also had these fail - it's not easy to see what's going on with the connections in there.)

I like options so I don't have to move to a certain position to dump air. Simple shoulder dump, and simple bottom dump. 2 bottom dumps if it's a horseshoe shaped bladder.

 

[Scuba J7]

It depends is the best answer, I use both. Be aware that a pull dump will vent quicker than using the inflator hose.

 

[The Chairman]

A rear pull dump is much easier to use if you are in a horizontal position.

I call this the "Scuba Position". The more horizontal you stay, the less air you will consume. Pull dumps enable you to stay in that position and pass gas easily.

 

[RainPilot]

pass gas easily

An often underrated advantage.

 

[Mason Gierke]

Thanks for all the input

 

[Scuba J7]

I call this the "Scuba Position". The more horizontal you stay, the less air you will consume. Pull dumps enable you to stay in that position and pass gas easily.

That's awesome (pass gas easily), I've been using the term "diver position" for my courses.

Now on the note of passing gas, if you fart in your wetsuit, you can use the fart bubble as a level. If it goes to your neck or ankles and out the suit you're likely too vertical, if you can hold the bubble right at your tailbone you're nice and horizontal.