Regulator flooding

[dj0318]

I was recently doing my advanced certification deep dive on the Chester pollin Gloucester I have done about 50 dives prior to this with this regulator it's a micron by aqualung. The descent went well no problem we did some skills then began swimming across the deck when I took a breath in and inhaled a lot of water I tried to clear the reg by purging took another breath then the same thing thankfully my instructor reacted quickly gave me her reg which I cleared and was fine tough ascent all the way up because my lungs were full of water took me 3days to cough all the water out. Now I'm really scared to dive again. I've been trying to figure out what happened the instructor thinks I was narced and maybe lost the seal on my mouth piece or my hood got in the way any thoughts?

 

[Notso_Ken]

Did you try your octopus to see if it was working? Sounds like an exhaust valve on your regulator stuck or folded.

Also, with water in the lungs, a trip to the doc might be warranted to ensure you don't have further medical issues. 3 days coughing it up gives plenty of time for little bugs to do harm.


Ken

 

[miketsp]

You don't say if the reg has been inspected and if it was perfectly OK. Is the diaphragm seated correctly and firmly? Any sign of damage to the exhaust valves?

About the incident itself, just my opinion but after 50 dives you should have been able to handle this without any stress. The moment any water came into your mouth you should have been able to stop the inhalation and swap to your alternate reg without hesitation. Then check out the primary to see what's wrong.

The best way to develop this reflex is with some snorkelling practice in waves or choppy water. You very quickly get into the habit of stopping the intake any time water comes in.

What also helps is working on a smooth breathing cycle so you have more time to react to the water coming in.

 

[blue steal]

There is another thread going on right now about something similar. It might be that the exhaust diaphragm valve folded over and got stuck. This has happened to me a few times.

 

[Ayisha]

Here is the procedure from the old thread that's been revisited:

It is always a good idea to try to inhale from each second stage after you connect the reg to the tank but before you turn on the air. You should not be able to get any air and you should be able to hear the lever and diaphragm move. A normal person can easily inhale and create the 20 inches of water's worth of vaccum and that is required to test the second stage for any defects that will impact the dive.

The ability to draw any air at all from the second stage signals a potential problem with the case, the exhaust valve, the diphragm, the mouthpiece or any of the o-rings sealing any openings in the case. Exhaling into the reg will also clear the exhaust valve and unstick it if it is stuck to the case. Attempting to inhale again if it was stuck will confirm that it isn't torn. Then turn on the air and do the rest of the pre-dive checks.

This may be a silly question from someone who has never done this check before, but is it perfectly safe to test it that way? Could we possibly cause the diaphragm to fold over if it wasn't before?

 

[redacted]

Pretty odd for an exhaust valve to fail (fold) in the middle of a dive but be OK when returned to the surface. And a diaphragm problem just does not heal itself. The narc explanation seems most likely. Normal responses to a wet breath is to stop the breath rather than suck it down. So that suggests a little impairment. So does failing to switch to the alternate when the problem first occurred. I really suspect the answer is practice and experience and not a need for equipment repair. Get back in the water, carefully, and good luck.

 

[redacted]

Here is the procedure from the old thread that's been revisited:



This may be a silly question from someone who has never done this check before, but is it perfectly safe to test it that way? Could we possibly cause the diaphragm to fold over if it wasn't before?

Yes, you could cause a problem if you use too much vacuum. You need to use just a "normal" breath and hold the vacuum to verify no leaks. A leak that may cause a problem will be quite evident. If you are not sure of the result (it can be hard to tell when you first try it) then, even if there is a slight leak, it will be so small that it should not cause any problem unless you spend a bit of time upside down. Even when everything seals well, many regs (probably all) still let a very small amount of water by the exhaust valve as you transition from exhale to inhale. In a normal position, that water is expelled with the next exhale. When inverted, it tends to collect until you may actually feel it bubbling as you inhale.

 

[Bali Diver]

@dj0318 Don't be silly and be scared to dive again,next time you will know better and automatically reach for your other Reg .We learn by our mistakes,not scared by them.

In my very early days 30 or so dives,my reg just fell apart in my mouth and a signalled and rushed to my buddy WRONG ! in splits seconds i thought there would be something wrong with the other reg too and i did take some water in.I realised my mistake and moved on and not scared by it.

 

[Matt S.]

It could be a torn mouthpiece. If the tear is in a spot normally covered by the lips, I can see how you could get a couple of wet breaths if the reg position in your mouth changes... Later, you reseat the reg and try it again and it seems to have "fixed itself."

Everyone who has suggested that you improve your skills is right on. This is not an issue that should have required instructor intervention. Improve your skills and your confidence will return.

 

[dj0318]

Thanks for the feedback. I was doing the advanced course to improve my skills. I remember going over out of air and free flow reg in open water cert but reg flooding was never covered. I snorkel frequently in waves and get wet breaths this was way more water than that . Now I know to try my alternate I thought the whole system was bad. I did have the reg checked there was a small piece of debris but also the lds owner looked at my hood said it didn't fit right the bottom was right on my lower lip could easily have caught my lower lip and water got in that way. Lesson learned I wouldn't hesitate to seek out help again better that than have a situation turn worse and panic.