Tricks for reaching valves and manifold?

[DevonDiver]

The downside of sidemount/IDs of course being you can't access the gas from a tank with a bad 1st/2nd stage.

You can, but it is admittedly not so convenient.

Most sidemount courses teach feather breathing to access gas if you've had a free-flow. It's an easy technique to master.

Higher level sidemount courses also teach the procedure for swapping regs between cylinders. This'd only really be necessary in very rare circumstances. It's quite easy to achieve, given the location of the valves.

It's erroneous to assume that you 'write off gas" because of a regulator failure on sidemount.

 

[TSandM]

I spent some time doing that exercise in my OW sidemount class. Yes, it's possible, and yes, to save my life I could do it, and no, I don't want to have to . . .

 

[PfcAJ]

Depends on the flavor of reg failure, doesn't it?

 

[Michael Guerrero]

You can, but it is admittedly not so convenient.

Most sidemount courses teach feather breathing to access gas if you've had a free-flow. It's an easy technique to master.

Higher level sidemount courses also teach the procedure for swapping regs between cylinders. This'd only really be necessary in very rare circumstances. It's quite easy to achieve, given the location of the valves.

It's erroneous to assume that you 'write off gas" because of a regulator failure on sidemount.

Good points. Probably should have qualified my statement a bit. I'd still rather shut down the post than do either of those.

 

[Wayne at DiveSeekers]

Not to be mean, but......Wow, Scary Thread!! Here are a couple of issues.

1. Get a New Instructor, if you are asking for help here while taking a Tec Class. A quality instructor should have answers for this basic issue and should have you reaching valves on Dive 1!!! If you can't do valve drills, there is NO moving on to Dive 2. A quality instructor should be able to diagnose the problem, give you an answer on how to fix it, then get you to do it (may take several practice and check out dives)!

2. Owning your own gear. Should be backplate and wing & 1 piece webbing (won't teach class if you are not in that config). You need to have it properly set up for you and you need to be able to practice skills (not going to master a skill in 1 dive) in between check out dives. If you are getting signed off on after every dive and don't have to practice and redo dives......revert back to my #1. Due to this, I don't even teach a Tec Class if you do not own your own gear.

Main reasons that I have found for not reaching valves:
1. Improperly set up harness
2. wrong band height
3. Ill fitting Drysuit/undergarments
4. Wrong technique

 

[DevonDiver]

Main reasons that I have found for not reaching valves:
1. Improperly set up harness
2. wrong band height
3. Ill fitting Drysuit/undergarments
4. Wrong technique

5. Not conducting skill from proper trim (see PADI TecRec Manual for illustration of kneeling shut-downs).

 

[tplyons]

Not to be mean, but......Wow, Scary Thread!! Here are a couple of issues.

1. Get a New Instructor, if you are asking for help here while taking a Tec Class. A quality instructor should have answers for this basic issue and should have you reaching valves on Dive 1!!! If you can't do valve drills, there is NO moving on to Dive 2. A quality instructor should be able to diagnose the problem, give you an answer on how to fix it, then get you to do it (may take several practice and check out dives)!

2. Owning your own gear. Should be backplate and wing & 1 piece webbing (won't teach class if you are not in that config). You need to have it properly set up for you and you need to be able to practice skills (not going to master a skill in 1 dive) in between check out dives. If you are getting signed off on after every dive and don't have to practice and redo dives......revert back to my #1. Due to this, I don't even teach a Tec Class if you do not own your own gear.

Main reasons that I have found for not reaching valves:
1. Improperly set up harness
2. wrong band height
3. Ill fitting Drysuit/undergarments
4. Wrong technique

Hi Wayne, thanks for chiming in.

For the record:

1) I can reach the valves, but it is a struggle, hence why I asked for advice; my instructors taught me the finger walking technique and using the other hand to push the tanks up. However, my lack of flexibility is why I landed here. I can do it, but not easily. Since my class, I've been working to gain more flexibility in the shoulder area.

2) I don't own my own Tec gear at the moment. Considering Tec 40 could be done in recreational gear with a pony (my normal dive configuration) I could have completed this without the doubles, however, I wanted to get exposure to this setup before purchasing my own. That will come before I move onto Tec 45 or 50.

I feel I benefitted a lot from my Tec 40 class and can apply my learnings to my normal Jersey shore wreck diving. However, I don't consider myself as a Tec diver by any means, not without my own gear and greater understanding of decompression theory. One day the rest will come, but not today.

 

[boulderjohn]

Main reasons that I have found for not reaching valves:
1. Improperly set up harness
2. wrong band height
3. Ill fitting Drysuit/undergarments
4. Wrong technique

In agreement, let me point out that the first two have the same result--the valves are not where they should be. Fixing items #1 and #2 listed above are all it took for me.

 

[Wayne at DiveSeekers]

Sorry, but not to bash your instructor but you shouldn't have to use your other hand to push up tanks to get at valves. You should be able to use one hand with the other out in front, thus my response.
Even thought standards permit a single tank with a sling, I won't even teach program unless doubles or Sidemount and like I said, owning your own gear. For Tec, you are either committed or your not! You are taking a class and getting certified, thus my point. This is a gear config/technique issue! Here is what I'll do to make my point. Call me, come to shop with appointment and I will have you reaching valves in one session (we have pool on premesis! Do this, I'll prove my point, have nothing to lose (except for realizing that you maybe doing class with different instructor, LOL)! I'll supply the right gear in order to prove my point (not to rent for a class, merely to validate what I am saying). PM or Call me to set up!

---------- Post added November 6th, 2013 at 12:31 AM ----------

At DEMA right now, will be back in shop on Monday

 

[RJP]

I learned that from my GUE fundies instructor, we all do it right after bubble checks. It helps with overall mobility and makes my dive much more comfortable. I feel like I have a lot more freedom/agility and my movement is not restricted.

Learned similar from Wayne. After bubble check, lay out flat on surface with face in water and stretch out fully, even doing a valve drill. Ensures that the suit and undergarments are "fitting" right and not bunched or constricting anywhere.