P-Valve Fitting and Such!

[MudDog]

Just got my CF200 back from DUI for repairs. While there, I had them put Halcyon's balanced p-valve in and would appreciate some help from the board's more educated and sophisticated P-valve professionals. I have 3 questions if I may:

Now I realize not everyone's hung like a Scot, and thus the need for providing a little extra tube length...*however* the 2 feet provided seems a wee bit much.

1. How does one properly "fit oneself" to this tubing?

2. After p-valve's "use" and once back on the boat...I would imagine the tube is not quite purged. What do people do to empty it? Flush with a water bottle?

3. What brand and what place have peple found to be the best for purchasing new external caths.?

Thank you...I look forward to your replies!

MudDog

 

[Uncle Pug]

I will send you my dissertation on this when I get to my home computer... in the mean time:

1. do not cut the tube just yet... there is a reason for its length.

2. leave a little water in the bottle you drink just before the dive... use this to flush the tube then blow it clear... yes... with your mouth.

3. mentor freedom caths.. either latex or silicone if you cannot tolerate latex.... buy them from www.bestbuymedical.com in qty of 100 for $1.12 each. Start out with a sample pack (free) to determine size... but most likely you will find 28mm works.

 

[Uncle Pug]

Plumbing information sent via PM...
Let me know if you have any other questions...
And anybody else who would like the didactic... PM me.

 

[MudDog]

Thank you very much Uncle Pug!!

Sorry for not responding sooner...I've been away.

I just checked out the supply site...wow, there are a lot of cath choices! Any particular reason why you like the Mentor Freedom caths over the various others. I would have had no idea where to begin.

Regarding the P-valve tubing, there sure seems to be a lot of "extra" hose. I will definitely take your advice though and "play with it" a bit before I do any cutting.

2. leave a little water in the bottle you drink just before the dive... use this to flush the tube then blow it clear... yes... with your mouth.

Really?!? Just pull off the cath. and blow? This isn't a joke you seaoned p-valve vets play on the newbies is it?!?

Start out with a sample pack (free) to determine size...

I was looking over the sample request form. There are so many different brands and types...I wonder how many you can ask to try.

Again, thank you Uncle Pug...I appreciate your help!!

 

[WreckWriter]

Use the Freedom cath. Get a sample of each size but chances are good, unless you're extremely "unusual" you won't need a large or XL. Medium will fit most, intermediate will fit the lucky, small is, well, small....

As for the mouth thing....... I'm not going there.

Tom

 

[Uncle Pug]

MudDog once bubbled...
Really?!? Just pull off the cath. and blow? This isn't a joke you seaoned p-valve vets play on the newbies is it?!?

No joke...

Pull the tube free from the catheter and blow the tube clear after squirting water in it from your drinking bottle or dedicated rinse bottle.

Do not... I repeat... DO NOT blow on the catheter.

TIP: save the cath bag for disposing of the used cath... much better for public relations than leaving them in the parking lot.