Question about freeflowing when handing off primary reg

[formernuke]

I was in the pool earlir praticing (among other things) handing my primary second stage off and switching to my necklace reg. Every time I took the second stage out of my mouth it would imediatly start freeflowing. If I moved the predive switch to the predive position it would not do this. So here is what I'm wondering, I'm not sure how I feel about having to switch the predive if I need to hand off my reg in real emergancy but I like the fact that it breathes for me. Should I have the reg adjusted, if so what is the right settings? Is there a technique to handing off the reg that I might be doing wrong?

I'm diving a Zeagle DSV with ZX as the necklace if that matters.

Thanks in advance for any insights.

 

[halocline]

Try handing off the reg with the mouthpiece pointed down, see if that helps. Your reg might be tuned a little hot, nothing wrong with that IMO. One kind of positive thing about handing off a flowing reg in an emergency is that the receiver will get a reg filled with air, not water, in case he forgets to purge and immediately takes a big breath.

 

[LeadTurn_SD]

A high performance reg set for easy breathing may freeflow underwater when out of your mouth.

What you are experienceing is not uncommon. Somtimes you can stop the freeflow by turning the reg mouthpiece-down, sometimes by sticking your thumb over the mouthpiece opening.

Is the reg a Zeagle ZX with external adjustment knob and venturi lever? If so, you can "field-test" to see if the ZX is properly "tuned" as follows:

On land, hook the reg up to a tank. Turn on the air. There of course should be no freeflow. Now turn the adjuster knob fully counter-clockwise (easiest breathing), move the venturi lever to the "+" position (dive position, easiest breathing).

Give the purge a quick push & release.

You should now get an instant, strong freeflow.

You should be able to stop the freeflow by simply moving the venturi lever back towards the "-" (predive) position... the freeflow should stop by the time you get the lever 2/3 of the way back towards the "-" position, or less. At the other end of the spectrum, with both the venturi lever and adjustment knob cranked down to hardest breathing resistance, you should still be able to purge the reg and breath from it "ok" (although a bit harder). If the reg passes this simple test, it's "in the ballpark" as far as adjustment.

Best wishes.

 

[Jimmer]

Hi, I use Zeagle regs on my doubles, and all I've found is that I need to turn the mouthpiece down as Matt said, when I take the reg out of my mouth. That will fix any problems.

 

[herman]

Yep, down. Think about the forces you are putting on the reg, if the reg is tuned well and it appears to be, when you hold the reg mouthpiece up or horizonal you are putting it in the position it will breath easiest. Now add pressure on the diaphram as you move it through the water towards the OOA diver and it should freeflow, you are in effect purging the reg. Hold it down and try to avoid movement that directs water pressure on the face of the reg...holding your fingers over the cover will help.

 

[ruready7]

I have an Oceanic Delta 4 and if I point it down then no problem with free flowing.

 

[formernuke]

Thank you everyone, I will try making sure I have the mouthpiece turned down on sunday.
LeadTurn_SD yes both the second stages are the same execpt for hose leanth and color, I tried the test you suggested. Yup with reg turned to easist and dive position hitting the purge causes feeflow which stops if I turn the switch.

 

[Jimmer]

Thank you everyone, I will try making sure I have the mouthpiece turned down on sunday.
LeadTurn_SD yes both the second stages are the same execpt for hose leanth and color, I tried the test you suggested. Yup with reg turned to easist and dive position hitting the purge causes feeflow which stops if I turn the switch.

That's how I test both my ZX second stages before a dive. Put the switch to +, the knob open all the way and tap the purge. It should freeflow, and lightly putting my thumb over the mouthpiece should stop the freeflow.

 

[redacted]

Rotating the mouthpiece downward as you remove the reg from your mouth should do it. If not (my Scubapro D-series can be troublesome that way) you may want to make sure you are not at the end of an inhale as you remove the reg from your mouth. Hesitate just a moment to make sure the valve is closed before you remove the reg from your mouth.

 

[TSandM]

Everybody is right that turning the mouthpiece down should prevent this. But if the reg isn't freeflowing into your mouth, and you keep the mouthpiece in the same orientation it was in when it was in your mouth, it shouldn't freeflow. So I'm going to talk about the procedure for donating.

You reach up and grip the hose close to where it joins the primary second stage, with your palm facing toward you. You then pull straight away from you and rotate your wrist so that your palm is now facing your buddy. You have to duck your head when you do this, so that the long hose will slide over it. The mouthpiece should remain oriented horizontally during this procedure, so it shouldn't freeflow.