reg out of mouth

[gtownjj]

Well, I'm new here. I got certified in June. It all went well except for the alternate air exercise where I took in water when trying to breathe in with the instructor's alternate regulator. I tried breathing in again but still all I got was water...this happened about twice while I bolted up, and I guess the expanding air allowed me to clear the reg once and for all while I was bolting up.

I could've sworn I cleared it right, but I guess I didn't...anyone have any clues on what went wrong? Cold water making me nervous? Maybe I should always purge first for good measure.

It all ended well...I did the alternate air exercise perfectly the 2nd time. And dives 3 and 4 went perfectly. But I sometimes still think about what happened in dive 2...it kinda scares me.

Do I just need a few dives in warm water to increase my confidence?

 

[humanFish]

Well, I'm new here. I got certified in June. It all went well except for the alternate air exercise where I took in water when trying to breathe in with the instructor's alternate regulator. I tried breathing in again but still all I got was water...this happened about twice while I bolted up, and I guess the expanding air allowed me to clear the reg once and for all while I was bolting up.

I could've sworn I cleared it right, but I guess I didn't...anyone have any clues on what went wrong? Cold water making me nervous? Maybe I should always purge first for good measure.

It all ended well...I did the alternate air exercise perfectly the 2nd time. And dives 3 and 4 went perfectly. But I sometimes still think about what happened in dive 2...it kinda scares me.

Do I just need a few dives in warm water to increase my confidence?

More diving is ALWAYS better ; ) Seriously.

Did you try switching between your own primary and alternate air sources? If not, that is good practice and well worth doing. I do it from time to time to ensure that my secondary works well both above and below the water.

It could be that your instructor passes you the regulator upside down, thereby causing it to flood. Do you happen to remember the exhaust valves being at the top as opposed to the bottom?

At any rate, yeah, keep diving. Sucking in a bunch of water is no fun regardless of your experience level...though it's all in how you handle the situation that makes all the difference. Get comfortable with your own gear and make sure you and your buddy also understand each other's gear as well...

safe and happy diving to you!

 

[ae3753]

Was it handed to you upside down perhaps?

 

[Quarrior]

Normally they teach you in class to push the purge button to clear a reg. Next tiem rather than doing that, as soon as you get it in your mouth, blow out through it. When you use the purge button method, you get water right back in the reg no matter how quick you get it into your mouth.

 

[gtownjj]

That could be possible. I have no idea whether it was upside down, the whole incident was a blur.

So does that mean that regs don't work at all upside down, and the only thing is to first make sure that it is right side up?

 

[SueMermaid]

Some of them do give you water when they are upside down, yes. Mine just breathes a little wet.
Practice next time you are in the pool with taking your primary out of your mouth, then put it back in your mouth and purge it with the button. If you get comfortable with that, you will have gone far, grasshopper. :japanese:

 

[Quarrior]

So does that mean that regs don't work at all upside down, and the only thing is to first make sure that it is right side up?

Nope, now you have your first lesson in selecting a good reg. A good reg will breathe water free and smoothly at all angles, depths, and water temps.

 

[Firefyter]

Normally they teach you in class to push the purge button to clear a reg. Next tiem rather than doing that, as soon as you get it in your mouth, blow out through it. When you use the purge button method, you get water right back in the reg no matter how quick you get it into your mouth.

Huh?? I never push the purge unless the reg is ALREADY in my mouth....the purge simply pushes the water out of the exhaust, leaving a clear reg and an empty mouth.

 

[Quarrior]

Yes you are correct if you block the opening with your tongue, but, I was also taught to never push the purge with the reg in your mouth, thus the exhale method I use works best for me.

Huh?? I never push the purge unless the reg is ALREADY in my mouth....the purge simply pushes the water out of the exhaust, leaving a clear reg and an empty mouth.

 

[Firefyter]

Yes you are correct if you block the opening with your tongue, but, I was also taught to never push the purge with the reg in your mouth, thus the exhale method I use works best for me.

Not trying to be too gross here, but if you ever get sick underwater and throw up into your reg, you'll learn to loooove that purge button...LOL