No water drains on Oxycheq Mach V?

[JessH]

So far I have two dives on my new 30# Oxycheq mach V wing. I love this wing, but when I get out of the water and when I am rinsing it I am noticing that it is traping water between the outer shell and the inner bladder. I finally figured out that if I fully inflate the wing it will get rid of most of it, but there is still a little bit left inside.

This isn't really a problem, especially since I figured out the inflation trick, but I was told that the signature series wings have grommets at the bottom to drain this water. Is there any reason that the Mach V does not? I noticed that the cloth in the middle allows water to escape, but it doesn't do much unless you fully inflate, and even then it doesn't get it all.

Anyone have any information on this? Do the Signature Series actually have grommets at the bottom? Any ideas if there is any disadvantage to having them or where they simply inadvertantly left off of this wing?

It seems to me that if water is getting traped that air could also be traped on descent. I havn't noticed this happening though, anyone know if this can be an issue?

Thanks,
Jess

 

[Halthron]

The Vertex doesn't have grommets but has an open area in the middle with netting covering it that seems to drain water fine. My signature does have grommets.

 

[divad]

A little air is trapped but it drains out of the zipper as does the water. I may add grommets.

 

[Dinghy]

i have just returned from second short trip with the Mach V and I have same complaint! All other oxycheq wings have either largish grommets or mesh panels for a quick drain so it appears to have slipped past QC at manuf. Very annoying.

Since then I have put in a couple of small grommets myself (carefully...) which helps but realise the need to get at least 10mm diameter ones to effectively clear collected water.

 

[Dinghy]

I agree! Terribly annoying.

All other oxycheq wings appear to have big grommets or mesh panels for post dive drainage except this one.

Did it slip past QC? Will Oxycheq pls answer this..

Thanks

 

[JessH]

If you fully inflate the wing it does get most of the water out.

If you don't fully inflate the wing before exiting the water you will be carrying some extra weight. The water will mostly drain as you walk which is kind of awkward. If you take your gear off in the water but don't fully inflate it you may be lifting some water as well. The simple solution is to fully fill the wing with air before or as you get out of the water.

In practice I have found that I usually inflate the wing enough in these situations for it to not be an issue. Fully inflating the wing is simple and effective so I don't know if I will bother adding grommets.

That being said I am still curious as to the design considerations of grommets vs. no grommets and why they are not on this wing.

I PMed Patrick from Oxycheq but havn't bothered trying to email or call him since it is really a non issue for me at this point.

~Jess

 

[PharmDMark]

I just got my Mach V last week! Patrick must be listening to the comments about the lack of drains....mine has two grommet drains very low in the back of the wing!

 

[JessH]

I just got my Mach V last week! Patrick must be listening to the comments about the lack of drains....mine has two grommet drains very low in the back of the wing!

Got any pictures?

~Jess

 

[UFScubaDiver]

Patrick was listening. I asked him the question regarding the water drains when I toured his factory. He said people asked for 2 water drain grommets, so he simply added them. And im pretty sure he said that people who wanted them added could send their wing back and get them added. Pretty good customer service I say. -Tom