Regulator flooding

[DevonDiver]

I've experienced regulator flooding for 3 reasons:

1) Torn diaphragm
2) Folded/bent exhaust valve (diaphragm)
3) Torn mouthpiece

None of those events have ever been traumatic or caused water inhalation because:

1) I exercise airway control.
2) I swapped to my own AAS immediately, before diagnosing/rectifying the problem (and/or aborting the dive).


Lessons to be learned:

If you experience any sort of issue with your primary regulator, immediately switch to your own AAS. This gives you the time to diagnose/rectify the problem and prevents stress becoming an issue.

Storing your AAS on a bungee necklace makes using your own AAS a simple and obvious course-of-action.

Dive instructors should train students to reg switch to their AAS as an immediate action drill during entry-level training (most don't).

 

[Bali Diver]

@dj0318 we have all been there and every dive you gain more experience,when i was at your stage of diving and beyond i use to look at the things which could go wrong and understand how to deal with them or understand that it is unlikely to happen,this would be kept at the back of my mind not on my mind as we want to enjoy what we are doing.

What you must do is spend some good cash on some good Regs and bcd and look after them and get them serviced at regular times and know with confidence your gear is in top condition.


MY 1st buddy is my alternative air supply and you are my 3rd if you have decent regs and looked after it is highly unlikely if there is a problem with 1st stage that it will effect both your 2nd stages.so you should feel confidence in this area.

Don't over weight your self and split your weights up from your belt like i do by putting one in each bcd pocket and keeping 3 on my belt,so if you need to dump some weight,which again in most cases as long as your bcd is well looked after it is unlikely,you can easily and quickly get access to dumping weights.

I have had bcd and regs my 1st and only pair for 11 years now and always looked after them service them at around 70 to 80 dives,each trip i will do at least 60 dives and each trip 1 will always service my gear,if it means twice a year,so be it.Maybe God loves me i have never had a problem in the water with my gear.

I go away shortly and will be picking up my service gear and will ask my service engineer and friend is it time for a new pair of equipment.I know what he will say.We always have a beer fine if he find salt build up in my BCD as yet i have not paid this fine by the way my 2nd buddy is my service engineer

It is always very important that you keep clean your equipment well cleaned with salt water diving and after each dive and a good clean at the end of a days diving,super clean at the the end of your trip and one when you get home.But i never clean my BCD OR REGS after each dive during the day i was well pass doing that a long time ago.boring and a pain after each dive especially when you want to chill after the dive.

What i do is keep my BCD and Regs soaked in water after each dive.some call me lazy.some call me clever with my gear soaked in water especially in hot climates any salt content can not dry or build up if your equipment is your is kept moist or soaked in water.

Also to this day i swear on on it how important especially in hot climate the intake of plenty of water before and after every dive even if don't feel like it.

As for your hood it should not cause any problem with your reg,just make sure you fit it properly fitted on always soak your mask,gloves or wetsuit before you put them on as it is much more easy to getting them on this way anyway mine are already soaked as you know


Always pre check your equipment setup and when you have put it on. and everything feels comfortable on youI never let any one connect my gear up,no matter how tired i am.

After everything above you should feel totally confident and enjoy the dive

Would i ever hire equipment NEVER ! it's not my responsibility to make sure it's in good working condition.I know nothing about it or it's history or it's last dive,too bloody late to find out when i am underwater.

Also Never ! let anyone apart from your Service engineer try to fix your equipment,unless its something very simple.Meaning never let anyone take it apart to fix something and remember your insurance would be void if they did.

Hope this helps you and gives you some confidence

HAPPY DIVING !