What Happens when an Isolator Manifold Fails?

[PfcAJ]

Some tech training also includes the use of a lift bag as back up buoyancy in an emergency. I like that better than relying on the dry suit.

A lift bag lacks the immediacy that a drysuit provides. To make a drysuit float, you just push a button and it starts negating your sudden negative buoyancy (major wing failure) instantly.

To make a lift bag work, you've got to take it out from wherever you store it and blow it up. Ain't nobody got time for that when they're lawn darting into davy jones's locker.

 

[Michael Guerrero]

1 in a billion scenario

That denominator is too small.

Are we for reals talking about a manifold failure, bc failure, and drysuit failure all at the same time?

I convinced a woman to marry me, so really we should be considering all possibilities.

Now if we could only convince the DOT to ditch blow-out plugs on life support cylinders like in Europe.

I've got plugs for that.

 

[Akimbo]

...I've got plugs for that.

Are they as reliable as no drilled hole in the forging in the first place? I have seen some guys silver-braze them shut.

 

[Michael Guerrero]

Are they as reliable as no drilled hole in the forging in the first place?

Absolutely not.

 

[PfcAJ]

I convinced a woman to marry me, so really we should be considering all possibilities.

Even a blind squirrel finds a nut every once in a while.

 

[Michael Guerrero]

Did I mention she is a human woman? Bonus!!!

My sense of smell be very strong.

 

[TSandM]

If you think logically about the points of failure, you can start with tank neck o-rings. If one blows, you close the isolator; you still have access to the air in the other tank. You will either have wing inflation or BC inflation, and you will have one regulator that works.

Any failure at or downstream of the connection to the first stage can be managed with a valve closure.

The only failure that is a disaster is a failure at the isolator, that results in a catastrophic leak AND inability to isolate. I have never read an account of such a failure. It is theoretically possible, and such a failure would result in an OOG situation and loss of all inflation except oral inflation, which could be done as soon as one established an air-share with a teammate.

 

[Michael Guerrero]

Your first move should be to isolate unless you are 100% certain which post failed (bet your life on it). Anything else is nonsense.

The oh $#!+ is if you dive solo and don't have a buddy to rely on for gas.

 

[PfcAJ]

Your first move should be to isolate unless you are 100% certain which post failed (bet your life on it). Anything else is nonsense.

The oh $#!+ is if you dive solo and don't have a buddy to rely on for gas.

Oh gosh, lets cut the melodrama.

Turn the knob you think is leaking. You're probably right, there just aren't that many options.

 

[Vegan Shark]

The only failure that is a disaster is a failure at the isolator, that results in a catastrophic leak AND inability to isolate. I have never read an account of such a failure. It is theoretically possible, and such a failure would result in an OOG situation and loss of all inflation except oral inflation, which could be done as soon as one established an air-share with a teammate.

But you would retain the ability to inflate and breathe off your regs until the failure drains the tanks dry, right? Anyone know how quickly a manifold failure would cause an OOG situation? I know tests have been done for LP hose, burst disk, and other failures, but what about a manifold?