Scubapro Seahawk BCD issues

[Nikonos3]

I just got a Seahawk BCD and I am having difficulty emptying it of air. Although it has 2 dump valves, 1 on top and 1 at the bottom, I still can get it completely empty of air. It seems I have to squeeze it either by hand (water) or leaning against something (land) to get the air out. There seems to be pockets of air that can't escape. Has anyone else had this problem, any solutions. Thanks

 

[scuba_shark_fart]

I had a bcd similar to this one. Maybe try using the butt dump, but be a little more head down than normal to dump. The dump on the inflator hose always gave me problems too. I had to be close to vertical, either head up or feet up, to dump air.

(back plate and wing was the best thing I ever did. Dumping on better gear is much easier/safer)

 

[Steve50]

sounds normal - something needs to squeeze the BCD to get all the air out...

 

[Nikonos3]

I used it for the first time in the ocean, had a lot of trouble controlling my buoyancy. I ended up making uncontrolled ascents to the surface on 4 dives I did over the weekend. I was wearing 35 lbs of weight and I weigh about 200 lbs. Something is wrong with this BC.

 

[redacted]

I used it for the first time in the ocean, had a lot of trouble controlling my buoyancy. I ended up making uncontrolled ascents to the surface on 4 dives I did over the weekend. I was wearing 35 lbs of weight and I weigh about 200 lbs. Something is wrong with this BC.

It sounds like you need more practice managing your buoyancy with that new BCD. When dumping from any BCD you need to be in the right position to put the air in the right position so it can exit through the valve you want. and, yes, some BCDs have more of a tendency than others to trap a bit of air. It comes out but you may have to work a bit more.

 

[g1138]

I used it for the first time in the ocean, had a lot of trouble controlling my buoyancy. I ended up making uncontrolled ascents to the surface on 4 dives I did over the weekend. I was wearing 35 lbs of weight and I weigh about 200 lbs. Something is wrong with this BC.

It's a clean back inflate BC, chances are you're not used to the lack of feeling you have when you input and output air from the BC. Unless the inflator is auto inflating you shouldn't have uncontrolled ascents. Keep your depth, control your ascent, or deflate your BC sooner before you ascend.

Your BC shouldn't deflate fully unless you have pressure pushing against the bladder, ie your hands or the surrounding water. If you're having air trapped in the bladder chances are you're not in the right position. From the pictures of the latest model I can't see where air could possibly be trapped in that BC for prolonged periods of time. You should be able to shift your position to empty it.

 

[Tyler2142]

I just got this BC as well and done maybe 20 dives on it so far. Using the inflator hose to dump air was extremely hard at first. Some BC's i used before this one, you didnt have to be completely vertical to dump air but on this one you do. I also had a few uncontrolled accents at first with this BC because i was use to just dumping air with the inflator hose. Thats why i rarely even use the inflator hose anymore. Try using the other 2 dumps. Once you get use to those, you shouldnt have any problems.

 

[RonFrank]

Hmm, New Diver is unable to dump air from a 55lbs back inflate BC. Is this a defective BC? Highly unlikely.

You are trapping air plain and simple. You need to become familiar with how to dump air with this BC. If you want to dump from the lower dump valve that needs to be the highest point. So stick your butte in the air, tilt up to the side where the valve is, and dump. If you want to shoulder dump that needs to be the highest point.

If your left side is the highest point and your dump is on the right this trapped air will expand as you ascend and you will end up with a run away ascent. Not good, not at all. Unless you have a stuck inflater, then You are the issue and you need to figure out how to use this equipment. You did not need 50lbs, or even 40lbs of bladder but that is what you got. Now you need to NOT ascend until you can dump. Once you start to dump then you need to ascend or you will sink.

You need to work on this until you can handle your BC without thinking about it. Yes it takes some time. Welcome to diving.

 

[RonFrank]

Some BC's i used before this one, you didnt have to be completely vertical to dump air but on this one you do.

Umm I doubt this. It just takes practice. You will certainly not want to be vertical to dump from a lower valve..... The valve you dump from needs to be your highest point. That can be achieved in a horz position.

 

[RonFrank]

(back plate and wing was the best thing I ever did. Dumping on better gear is much easier/safer)

I am not clear how a BP/W makes it easier or harder to dump? If you have a 65lbs horse shoe wing in a BP/W setup that is going to be a PITA to work with vs. a 30lbs donut using a conventional Back inflate BC. The fact it is a BP/W has nothing to do with the wing size and shape, or if the wing is prone to trapping air.