P-valve question........sorry ladies

[melfox26]

After years of being uncomfortable at times during dives and running to the restroom/bush after dives, I finally broke down and got a P-valve installed on my drysuit. I had to send it back to DUI for a new neck seal, so I figured why not.

My question is regarding the little hollowed out screw that attaches to the valve on the outside of the suit. Do you dive with that partly open, halfway on, or completely off? I don't figure you'd dive with it screwed all the way down, unless you wanted a semi-dry suit :yuck:

Thanks guys in advance for your help.

Mel

 

[Uncle Pug]

Some folks dive with the pee through bolt tightened all the way down and dial it open for discharge. Others leave the bolt open while still others leave it at home.

Leaving the bolt open or at home: If you have a balanced P-valve that has a check valve you would have to have two failures, the condom and the check valve, to flood your suit. If you do not have a check valve then a condom failure (yes it happens) would flood your suit.

I suggest that if you are going to leave the bolt out that you carry it ziptied to a boltsnap and clipped off in your pocket.

Personally I keep the bolt closed and open it for use.

 

[JimC]

I dive it closed and open it for use, but I have an unbalanced valve.

 

[mgdive]

I have a balanced valve and used to dive it open and at the ready! After a few dives, I didn't like the way the bolt felt very loose and unsecure in this position, so now I dive it without the bolt. The bolt I keep on a loop of line clipped off to a d-ring inside my left drysuit pocket.

 

[melfox26]

Thanks UP for your advice.

I have a Halcyon Balanced P-valve, if that helps get more opinions/feedback.


Mel

 

[theskull]

Leaving the bolt open or at home: If you have a balanced P-valve that has a check valve you would have to have two failures, the condom and the check valve, to flood your suit.

Not true. A single failure will do it, and I have experienced it a couple of times. If you are doing alot of bending it is possible for the hose to come off the barbed end that attaches to the bolt hole. And this will let the water flood right on in if your bolt is not closed.

The other reason to leave it closed is that a loose bolt is easy to lose during the dive, and they are not a $.10 item to replace once lost.

theskull

 

[CALI68]

Thanks UP for your advice.

I have a Halcyon Balanced P-valve, if that helps get more opinions/feedback.


Mel

Hey Mel! I dive with mine open and leave the bolt in the Tahoe. I have the same one you do. For those of you that zip tie and clip the bolt in your pockets...how do you do that? Does anyone have a picture?

 

[Uncle Pug]

a small size ziptie through the bolt hole and around the swivel ring of the bolt snap. Clip it off on the bungee loop (or d-ring) in your pocket.

Skull you are correct... if the tubing comes off of the valve body you will have an instant flood with the bolt unscrewed or removed. If your tubing is installed correctly and especially if you have the tubing long and looping up and then back down to the condom this is unlikely.

Still... things happen and I leave the bolt in place.

Cali... seems we talked about this once before.

 

[CALI68]

Cali... seems we talked about this once before.

Yes, but it's so nice to discuss pee valves with you Uncle Pug.