Water in BC bladder question

[gogums]

Yes, I'm new...yes, I tried a search...no, I could not find an answer even though someone will probably post and say this has been discussed uku-billion times here...sorry in advance for asking. After I post this I will begin my 30 lashings on myself.

Question: Is it normal/common to have maybe a pound or two of water in the BC (Backpack style) bladder after one dive? Is the water coming in from fussing with the deflate button too much while underwater (i.e. letting water pour in when there is no air to let out)?

I have a new BC and was having trouble getting the air out to desend. Others who had the same issue with this BC noted that with left arm high above your head you need to lift your left shoulder and lean back a bit to get some trapped air all the way out. Annnyyywayyy....I repeatedly tried this technique and towards the end of my dive had no problems. However when I was rinsing my gear off I felt my BC was noticeably heavier. I pulled the dump valves and was suprised at how much water came out (no, I hadn't rinced my BC bladder yet). While I don't have enough experience with other BC's or diving in general to compare it to, it got me thinking that maybe I took in alot of water because I was trying this technique and that the extra water in the bladder kind of helped keep me weighted down.

I know with practice I will get better and not have to play with the inflator that much but just wanted to know if this is common with new divers or perhaps there is a problem with my BC bladder. Thanks!

 

[Derek S]

I know with practice I will get better and not have to play with the inflator that much but just wanted to know if this is common with new divers or perhaps there is a problem with my BC bladder. Thanks!

Hey gogums, welcome to the board! If it makes you feel any better, I get water in my BC as well. Every diver I've ever dove with (one has over 9,000 dives) still gets water in the bladder of their BC. It's physics. As time goes on and you play less with your dumps, it will get better, but it is impossible to say you'll never have water in your BC bladder.

Good luck!

 

[diversteve]

Question: Is it normal/common to have maybe a pound or two of water in the BC (Backpack style) bladder after one dive?

That seems a little excessive to me.

Is the water coming in from fussing with the deflate button too much while underwater (i.e. letting water pour in when there is no air to let out)?

Probably, if you had a leak you(or your buddy) should have seen bubbles during the dive.

I know with practice I will get better and not have to play with the inflator that much but just wanted to know if this is common with new divers or perhaps there is a problem with my BC bladder. Thanks!

I sometimes get about a cupful of water occasionally after a dive. Especially when I'm trying to stay planted to the bottom, like at Stingray City. So it's not a big problem, just be sure to rinse all the water out, I had a problem once with Salt crystals jamming open my valve, a little fresh water rinse took care of it.

 

[Buoyant1]

Was it a significant amount? It's normal to get some, but an overly significant amount could be something to check out the next time you dive with it.

I'm very new, and I play with the inflator a decent amount, but I didn't dump a whole lot when I finished (and that was after 2 dives)

 

[Sideband]

While I don't have enough experience with other BC's or diving in general to compare it to, it got me thinking that maybe I took in alot of water because I was trying this technique and that the extra water in the bladder kind of helped keep me weighted down.

I know with practice I will get better and not have to play with the inflator that much but just wanted to know if this is common with new divers or perhaps there is a problem with my BC bladder. Thanks!

Well, the water didn't keep you weighted down since water is neutral in water. It may have kept some air from getting trapped though which would have reduced your buoyancy. I think most of the water came in when you were trying to vent air that wasn't there. If there isn't air coming out then water can go in when that button is pushed. You will almost always get water in the BC but you will typically get less than that. You are aware of it, so I wouldn't worry about it unless it continues all the time.

Also, I don't think you mentioned, rented or owned?
edit: Yes you did. It is a new one. Fill it all the way up and turn it around in the water looking for bubbles. If it doesn't lose air and bubble there is no leak.
Joe

 

[CBulla]

You'd have fallen over if you'd have seen the amount of water come out of my BC yesterday. I've never stopped to think about Why it's happened, but suspect I know why it does - trying to get that very last bubble out of your BC whether its holding the inflator hose up with the dump button depressed or rolling over and holding the dump valve on the bottom open, water replaces air just like air replaces water when you turn a bottle over and dump out the water

The weight isn't much at all either. A gallon of fresh water weighs 8.33 pounds.. or about a pound a pint. A little more for salt water. I easily dumped 1/2 gal yesterday after getting out of one of the FL springs with a super high flow

 

[gogums]

Just finished my lashings and wanted to say thanks for everyones comments.

My dive buddy (girlfriend) said she didn't notice bubbles coming out of my BC but I'll double check on this weekends dive. I'm pretty sure now that the amount of water in the bladder is most likely due to trying to get the last bubble of air out and I just allowed more water than I'm used to seeing (feeling) in.
Thanks again!

 

[texdiveguy]

Much of the water enters the BC bladder as a result of using the manual pull venting valved.

 

[Scuba_Jenny]

As you get more comfortable in the water, you will be using the inflator hose less and less. I would think you will have proportionally less water in your BC. Just remember to rinse the BC well after diving.

 

[BrianM]

Hi Gogums,

I dont know what brand of BC you have but on Oceanic BC's they recommend using the remote dump valve on the inflator to prevent water from entering your BC bladder.
The design of the pull valve on the inflator hose is made to close when no more air is coming out... so it prevents water entry. After I read this in the manual I trained myself to just pull the inflator hose instead of holding the inflator hose over my head and I dont get water in my BC anymore!!!

Of course now that I use a BP-wing setup without a pull dump valve...I am back to the normal procedure but I know not to hold the button down too long now...lol

Brian