Permanently dislocated left elbow inflator questions

[Ithilsilmaril]

So here's my situation. I'm a new NAUI OW diver (1 post cert dive) and I'm in the process of selecting gear. I've got a pretty good idea of what I want, but have one problem. My left elbow is permanently dislocated from a playground accident 35 years ago. Its never really bothered me much; the only issue it presents is that I can't touch my left shoulder with my left hand. During class I made sure the instructor knew about it. Grabbing a standard inflator hose with my left hand is doable, but only just, and sometimes it takes me more than one try to get it. Obviously not ideal from a safety standpoint.

I tried a AL Dimension i3 with an Air3 on my one post cert dive (man, 30' vis in the ocean sure beats 2' in the lake!). The i3 lever was only ok and I didn't use it much. The Air3 on the other hand completely solved the problem with the longer hose. Everything felt really natural and easy.

The issue I'm having is that I would really like to dive a BP/W and potentially head down the DIR/tech path in the future. I've tried a Halcyon Infinity on at the shop (really expensive I know, but I am doing some work for them to defray gear costs) and it is really comfortable, except... the inflator hose is again problematic. The shop tech suggested a right hand reach across, which was no problem for me to do, but I wanted to solicite opinions on this method both from a safety standpoint and from a DIR acceptability standpoint. What are people's thoughts on this? Go with the BP/W and a reach across? Scrap DIR hopes and dive something like an AL Balance with an Air3? Scrap arm and have Borg prosthesis installed (I am Ithisilmaril of Borg, all your reefs are belong to us...)?

I can certainly dive very enjoyably with the Balance, but I'm having trouble letting go of the desire to get into more tech oriented diving. Any and all opinions are welcome and appreciated.

 

[Damselfish]

I have no idea what DIR says (and this isn't the DIR forum, or I wouldn't answer.) But to inflate I tend to use my right hand as it's more convenient most of the time. And to deflate I rarely use the hose and prefer to use one of my other dumps. I haven't died yet. And I think its safer, not less safe, to figure out what works for you rather than forcing yourself to work against an injury. If a longer hose is key, you could always rig your gear with longer inflator hoses without resorting to an Air3.

 

[Ithilsilmaril]

Thanks for the response- I would love to simply install a longer inflator, but talking to the shop tech he didn't think longer corrugated hoses were a readily available option. If one is available, especially one compatible with Halcyon, I would be very interested in knowing more about it.

Unfortunately, the Infinity does not have a shoulder dump, and the rear dump would not work in all orientations (obviously ).

 

[redacted]

Longer corrugated hoses are a readily available option. Octo/inflators are on a longer hose than standard inflators. (Dive shops should be required to post a warning label.) this is an option to pursue.

One option: Dive Rite Corrugated Hose discounts on sale Dive Rite

 

[ianr33]

Agree with Damselfish. No idea what's DIR or not, but I normally use my right hand for the inflator, just seems easier.

Can you reach the rear dump (on the left) O.K. ?

 

[Ithilsilmaril]

Longer corrugated hoses are a readily available option. Octo/inflators are on a longer hose than standard inflators. (Dive shops should be required to post a warning label.) this is an option to pursue.

One option: Dive Rite Corrugated Hose discounts on sale Dive Rite

awap- thanks for the head's up. I'll see if this is compatible with the big blue H. If so, I think I'm good to go (need to check the length on the one at the shop first though to see if this will be enough extra).

Agree with Damselfish. No idea what's DIR or not, but I normally use my right hand for the inflator, just seems easier.

Can you reach the rear dump (on the left) O.K. ?

I'll have to check on this- didn't think to try when I had the Infinity on. TBH I've never tried to reach a rear dump- I should probably train on this. Lots to learn.

 

[spectrum]

Yea, this is adaptive gear. Plenty of hose lengths are available to make it at least convenient to inflate. I do most of my venting with the "butt dump". About the only time I like to hold the inflater high is when I'm vertical for the final stage of an open water ascent. Even then you can get a right hand shoulder pull dump added or surface prone. If weighted right you can even do the final ascent with lung technique. I dislike tug dumps but you could also shoulder vent on the left by pulling the inflater down if you are so equipped.

Lots of options. Keep gathering ideas and do what makes sense.

As for DIR much of this sounds contrary to the standards as I have head them proclaimed but I'm not involved. I don't know how or if they deal with adaptive rigs. In any case there is aboslutely no reason why you cannot make this work in a totally safe and effective manner.

FWIW I am no fan of alternate/inflaters. here is an old rant.

Pete

 

[OkByMe]

There are 22" hoses and cables available. Northeast scuba supply sells everything you need to convert. IF you are going to buy from an LDS, you TELL them what you want. The manufacturer should have power inflator hoses already matched with the low pressure hose at different lengths to accommodate the users needs. Could be they want to unload what they have on the floor instead of taking care of you. If they don't want to give you that or claim they can't get it, you can sure as hell get it from an internet supplier. They all buy from Global and Global has everything.

It needs to be matched in length to the inflation hose from the tank mounted regulator so that hose is long enough to allow the power inflator to hang and not bunch up behind your head. A long hose pair (LP inflation and corrugated, matched in length) will flop around too, so get it as short as you can effectively reach it. You don't want to have to clip it off, since you may need to put it in your mouth in an emergency and end-up struggling with a bolt clip while sinking into the abyss. You don't want it to hang up on obstructions or in the sand ether. Since you have the issue with the shoulder, I presume you can't lift it above your head to exhaust it ether, so power inflation with a pull dump is your way to go.

I own a Sherwood Avid. It has an 18" pull dump on the left shoulder and a line dump on the right, with a butt dump on the right. The line dump comes down inside a tube attached to the harness and is about mid-chest and out of the way of the d-rings.

I also added another butt dump to my horseshoe wing so I have one on ether side and don't have to roll the bubble. I'm thinking of adding another butt dump to the Avid, since I use it for single tank and side mount doubles. So you see... If I can do it, they can do it.

 

[gekodivebali]

Sidemount with an inflator running left to right across the chest could be an option. But you need to check on the ability to use quick purges...

 

[Superlyte27]

You could switch to a bp/w. Then flip the wing over, invert it, and/or rotate the dump/inflator locations. This would give you many options.