Stuck Inflator Valve

[Blueringocto_73]

So I completed 2 dives with a rental BCD without incident and still had 1500 psi in one tank. Took the gear to a cold 12' pool where I live to "dive off" the gas and practice buoyancy. Thankfully I was in the shallow end of the pool, when I felt my BCD stiffen quickly and put me on the surface.

Tried to disconnect the LP fitting and it wouldn't budge. Pulled one glove off and after strenuous effort disconnected the fitting. So I now have a "concern" that a runaway ascent that doesn't allow for the LP hose to be quickly disconnected might create a hazard.

The LDS was notified of the free flowing inflator when I turned the rental gear in.

Is it good practice to immediately remove a glove to increase manual dexterity to disconnect the fitting?

 

[tbone1004]

if you can't disconnect, do what you have to do, but if you feel it doing that, your first course of action should be to dump as much as out of the wing as you can and then see if you can find something to hold onto so you don't go shooting to the surface and risk an AGE

i would take gloves off in that situation if I couldn't get it with gloves on. the water in california isn't that cold, your hands will warm back up. your lungs won't un-explode though if you get an AGE

 

[divad]

It's better to buy one that is easier to disconnect. I had one that was almost impossible to release with two hands when under pressure. Maybe that was once considered a safety feature....I got rid of it.

 

[Steelyeyes]

That's a good reason for a jet dump. In fact that's what they're for.

 

[Blueringocto_73]

Thanks for the info. You don't know what you don't know. I'm "thankful" it happened to me. It was an eye opener. I don't see lots of reports of divers dying because of it. But it seems like something novice divers in particular should have drilled into their skulls.

I fear runaway ascent more than swimming with Great Whites.

 

[northernone]

As already stated, proper maintenance can reduce this risk.

Personally, after a few stuck inflator and various glove combinations I've elected for oral inflate on my dives with a deco ceiling.

Results may vary.
Cameron

 

[DogDiver]

Great reason to own your own gear.

 

[divad]

That's a good reason for a jet dump. In fact that's what they're for.

What is this "jet dump" you speak of?

 

[RayfromTX]

"I fear runaway ascent more than swimming with Great Whites."

As you should

 

[lowflyer]

Bend, crimp the hose to shut off/restrict air through it and dump air from dump release valves on BCD.