Redundant Inflator Attachment

[offgasser]

I am at 69 dives and am still trying to fine-tune things. Am not super happy with the attachment of my redundant inflator (right tank). Currently using a piece of inner tube, would like better idea after trying surgical tubing. Once or twice the inflator button has turned slightly when entering the water to create a situation when my trim was just so- I would have slight inflation -- NOT good. My training book mentioned a bolt snap option, however the picture was not very clear. Any ideas or pictures appreciated. I am looking for SPEED of deployment, not grasping or trying to unclip something. I am assuming that the bolt clip idea might have to do with a D-ring clip up close for a fast don with a plastic zip tie to break in deployment situation?

 

[Cave Diver]

Are you referring to the second inflator hose on a dual bladder wing?

I think you'll probably find the dual inflators to be fairly uncommon as most of us choose to solve the redundant lift issues other ways.

Among those that do use them, some people leave the inflator hose disconnected to prevent accidental inflation. Then you get into the whole debate of having to find and hook the inflator up in a high stress situation (of course oral inflation is an option as well).

A little more information and insight on your reasoning will help generate better responses.

 

[Dive-aholic]

If you are currently stowing the alternate inflator in a position where it's easily deployable, then my recommendation is to bungee the LP hose to the inflator hose and keep them disconnected. Oral inflation could easily be done to maintain buoyancy followed by connecting the hose to the inflator. No matter where you stow the alternate inflator, there will likely always be some risk of unintentional inflation. Keeping it disconnected will eliminate the risk. A slight descent is much less dangerous than a runaway ascent. And the likelihood of ever needing the redundant inflator is very minimal. In over 1000 dives, I've had 2 incidents in which I needed to use my dry suit for buoyancy control, and both were very specific to my gear configuration and the type of diving I was doing. They aren't issues you would ever be likely to experience where you currently dive.

 

[ucfdiver]

I must be in the wrong section....

 

[Cave Diver]

I must be in the wrong section....

DIR is two doors up on the right.

 

[offgasser]

Cave Diver:
Yes, I am. Looking for "attachment" details on the inflator, specifically on my question above. Started with surgical tubing, then moved to tire tube. It is technically deployable now, but I was wanting it even better, i.e., faster and easier.
Also, I have already made the decision to use a double bladder after having experienced Pillsbury affect when practicing the skill for faulty primary inflator and intentionally using the drysuit for inflation. I also switch to a wetsuit when air temps hit 90 degrees plus in May. In regards to other "redundant" (issues) I carry at least two lift bags already and practice shooting them every other dive -- I would prefer the bladder redundancy for speed of deployment. I know I will get better and faster with experience, but for right now in my "newbie" stage of this type of diving, I am more comfortable with the second inflator option.
And, my training also discussed the separation option. Since, I sometime where dry gloves, I already decided that would be one MORE thing I would have to deal with -- re-connection.
For me, it has to do with Murphy's Law. *See also reply to Dive-aholic

 

[offgasser]

Dive-aholic:
Thanks for your input. This came up in post-training. I originally trained with a single bladder in a drysuit but just about fried on the surface in 110 degree plus. I was told that I "should" have a dual bladder when transitioning back to a wetsuit, although my training did include other ways to resolve a bladder failure. The question of disconnecting it was discussed and the decision was left up to me. Being new to deeper diving the constant narcosis experience I felt that eliminating the extra task of re-connecting it would be better for me should it happen.* I also prefer diving in wetsuit versus drysuits already and constantly keep the drysuit as "tight" as I can when I dive because I don't like being a puffball.
Murphy's Law and K.I.S.S.
This Law seems to follow me when it comes to diving, therefore the KISS principle is very apropos for me. When I teach the LP inflator skill in Open Water class, I have not always been super enthusiastic about it. I almost always hear: "Why do we have do do this?". Answer is: your equipment is good quality, it probably won't happen, it is required per standards to do it.
I had waited until I had more than 500 dives before pursuing Instructor status, so that I would have some personal experience and observation under my belt. I never saw or experienced and inflator problems other than a couple of bad exhaust hoses at the end of a dive. Recreationally, I could have just dropped my weight. That all changed.....
I have over 1,105 dives now including my 69 technical dives.
Recently, I had an "inflator blow out" -- don't know what else to call it -- during a technical dive. My Apeks primary inflator just lost the deflator button??!! Not hard to miss -- it was shiny (stainless steel?) and was NOT there. Oh yeah -- the inflator still worked, but I just saw a "black hole" where the deflator button should have been......along with a stream of bubbles!!!!
Turns out I had already shot a lift bag (for skill/practice) right after my 70' deco switch and stop -- and although negatively buoyant I was okay reeling it up to ascend during my deco stop, since that's HOW I noticed it. BUT, that's really how I discovered the problem -- my tension on the line was so much greater than previous drills. I then reached around to activate my back up inflator and immediately* gained neutral buoyancy.
* Immediately is the word that precipitated this post after reviewing the dive. Was it really immediate?....Or was it "fast enough"?....I think I can rig it better....just looking for ideas.
KUDOS to you and Cave Diver on your replies: I am with you in that this is (probably) unlikely to happen. I just one of those (lucky"?!) anomolies that can be discussed -- Mr. Murphy likes me.
The APEKS inflator I have was recalled for this reason. I suppose I should post it on this forum new. Have a good one.

 

[Cave Diver]

Cave Diver:
Yes, I am. Looking for "attachment" details on the inflator, specifically on my question above. Started with surgical tubing, then moved to tire tube. It is technically deployable now, but I was wanting it even better, i.e., faster and easier.

The best thing I can suggest is what I use on my primary inflator hose. I have a womans hair scrunchy threaded onto my shoulder harness, but you could easily make one out of small bungy cord too. I like tire tubes for backup lights, but they hold the inflator too tight for my liking. I want it where I can find it, but able to reposition easily when using it. The scrunchies hold it tight enough to keep it streamlined, but stretch enough when I need it.

The kind I use is in the picture below:

 

[Dive-aholic]

Being new to deeper diving the constant narcosis experience I felt that eliminating the extra task of re-connecting it would be better for me should it happen.*

From this statement, I am guessing you are diving deep air. There are better ways to dive deep. There's no reason to be in such a state of mind that narcosis impairs your ability to respond to issues. Stay shallow or take a trimix course, but don't dive deep air.

 

[offgasser]

Dive-aholic
Trust me, Trimix is my next goal for tec training.
The narcosis happened mostly during dives #1-20. I either became accustomed to it or it does not happen anymore. (Some think that maybe I am addicted and seek it??!!)
The guy I intend to use said to see him for Trimix AFTER 100 dives, not the 20 required. I appreciated his setting HIS standards slightly higher and after experiencing more than one equipment issue at depth or during the course of my 69 tech dives, and think I made the right decision to wait before training deeper. At my number, I feel that I have become a much better tech diver and as a diver in general, much more disciplined and even more respectful of the basics taught in simple Open Water classes.
Being that you were in Arizona, you might know him, since the tec instructor community is fairly small, he is also a Caver.
Signed, 31 to go.