Used Regulator Hoses with Unknown History?

[Centrals]

Talking about it is a lot different than standing next to a hose that blows on the surface, or trying to figure out where the leak is and how fast you are losing air while submerged.

A LP hose ruptured about 2ft away. Quite a ban and I was shocked by the noise first and my left ear was ringing for a while!

 

[halocline]

I use old hoses for recreational diving all the time. I just inspect them regularly. They can last a really long time. I don't use any of the miflex type hoses; to me they don't offer any advantage over the standard rubber hoses. and when the stories came out about some brands disintegrating inside and clogging, that pretty much cinched it for me. Every single rubber hose failure that I have ever experienced was a slow leak that developed and gave me plenty of time to replace.

My cave diving hoses are newer, but only because they're mostly sidemount-specific lengths that I didn't have.

 

[Wibble]

I don't use any of the miflex type hoses; to me they don't offer any advantage over the standard rubber hoses. and when the stories came out about some brands disintegrating inside and clogging, that pretty much cinched it for me.

MyFlex hoses kink.

Was doing a deep bailout practice (70m/230') when one guy couldn't breathe from his bailout and had to return to the loop. Tried again and had the same problem; could take one breath but no more. Turned out the hose was kinked which was enough to prevent sufficient gas flowing (this was at 8 ATA, so significant gas flow)

For that reason am wondering about returning to normal rubber hoses and putting up with loosing the extra flexibility afforded by MyFlex hoses.

 

[SlugLife]

MyFlex hoses kink.

Was doing a deep bailout practice (70m/230') when one guy couldn't breathe from his bailout and had to return to the loop. Tried again and had the same problem; could take one breath but no more. Turned out the hose was kinked which was enough to prevent sufficient gas flowing (this was at 8 ATA, so significant gas flow)

For that reason am wondering about returning to normal rubber hoses and putting up with loosing the extra flexibility afforded by MyFlex hoses.

I didn't think about the kinking issue (until now). My new hoses are flex-hoses. In hindsight, the main flexibility that is of use to me, is the rotating 90-degree elbow, but the flex-hoses don't really do that much.

 

[halocline]

Once you get the correct length hoses, the flexibility becomes much less of an issue. This is particularly true if you dive with a primary regulator long hose.

The flex hoses are just another one of those dive shop 'solutions in search of a problem'.

 

[NW Dive Dawg]

I know this is old thread but just thought I'd share this video. I was in Little Cayman in 2018 and on a dive with a boatload of strangers. Early in the dive I noticed this one diver that had some very serious "leakage" in her HP hose at about 60ft.... I felt that it was about to blow so took it upon myself to approach her, show her the issue and ascend with her to the surface.... It was a rental reg set so I went with her to the shop with her after we got back and showed them my video and suggested that they needed to check ALL of their rental gear.

She bought me drinks at the Beach Nuts Bar that night!

 

[lowwall]

I get a black box with the message "This video is unavailable."

 

[Nemrod]

Hoses typically fail upon initial pressurization. IMO, if the age of a hose cannot be determined I would replace it. A five or six year replacement schedule for heavily used regulators may be wise.

James

 

[keyshunter]

Question. Where was her buddy

I know this is old thread but just thought I'd share this video. I was in Little Cayman in 2018 and on a dive with a boatload of strangers. Early in the dive I noticed this one diver that had some very serious "leakage" in her HP hose at about 60ft.... I felt that it was about to blow so took it upon myself to approach her, show her the issue and ascend with her to the surface.... It was a rental reg set so I went with her to the shop with her after we got back and showed them my video and suggested that they needed to check ALL of their rental gear.

She bought me drinks at the Beach Nuts Bar that night!

Can't see the video. Where was her buddy when you escorted her to the surface? Assuming that you were at LCBR, they have a very strict buddy policy, and almost always have a spare reg on board in case of a problem. Typical "aquarium stone" high pressure leaks do not empty a tank very fast. However, low pressure leaks can empty a tank quickly. With a hp leak at 60 feet, she and her buddy probably had plenty of time to continue their dive back toward the boat. But, heroes do deserve free drinks.

 

[Bob DBF]

Of course the time is for a fully open hose, however most hose failures are less severe and give you more time.