I'm mystified that both on the internet and "scubaboard" in general I can't find any hits on problems with regulators that overflow while diving. I have had regulators that overflowed but eventually stopped while diving. I was reading in DAN about an accident where the Reg wouldnt stop and the diver surfaced, rested and then went back down (stupid). I would be interested in comments on what divers did to stop a stubborn overflowing Reg. I'm aware of the accent procedure when it happens but was wondering if any divers had a possible quick fix while diving.
Regulator Overflow Problems
- Thread starter Scuba5man
- Start date
Please register or login
Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions.
Benefits of registering include
- Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions.
- A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world.
- You can make this box go away
R
redacted
Guest
You will probably get a few more hits if you use the term "freeflow" rather than "overflow".
Welcome to the board.
If you mean freeflowing, it is fairly common. Most often it's not really a problem with the reg but with the diver not understanding the regs operation. Modern high performance will freeflow if you don't treat them properly, they are made to deliver air easily and with a venturi assist, which most have, they will freeflow once started. By simply restricting the air flow or carefully filling the reg with water it will not freeflow, making sure the venturi assist lever is set to it's minimum value will also reduce the problem. Violent freeflow due to mechanical failure is not that common. If my reg does not freeflow when the venturi assist is set to max and I do something that should make it freeflow, it's time to take it to the bench to see whats wrong with it.
If you mean freeflowing, it is fairly common. Most often it's not really a problem with the reg but with the diver not understanding the regs operation. Modern high performance will freeflow if you don't treat them properly, they are made to deliver air easily and with a venturi assist, which most have, they will freeflow once started. By simply restricting the air flow or carefully filling the reg with water it will not freeflow, making sure the venturi assist lever is set to it's minimum value will also reduce the problem. Violent freeflow due to mechanical failure is not that common. If my reg does not freeflow when the venturi assist is set to max and I do something that should make it freeflow, it's time to take it to the bench to see whats wrong with it.
Gregordo
Contributor
I read that article in alert diver. I wouldn't call him stupid. After being scared like that nobody makes great decisions.
I can see where he was worried about his buddy at a hundred feet searching for him. You are right he should never had down back down with only 500psi.
I can see where he was worried about his buddy at a hundred feet searching for him. You are right he should never had down back down with only 500psi.
PuyallupCoug
Contributor
I read that article in Alert Diver as well. One of the things that he and his buddy should have talked about in the dive plan is what to do if you get seperated from your buddy.
My plan if you lose your buddy is to stop where you are and look around, up, down, sideways etc for your buddy all the while looking for bubbles as well. If after 1 minute you can't find each other you head to the surface (keeping to your safety stop obligations), plain and simple.
My plan if you lose your buddy is to stop where you are and look around, up, down, sideways etc for your buddy all the while looking for bubbles as well. If after 1 minute you can't find each other you head to the surface (keeping to your safety stop obligations), plain and simple.
Similar threads
- Question
