What to do when regulator free flow in cold water?

[Kylebee]

What is the standard procedure when regulator freezes and begin to free flow in cold water at the depth of 20ft?

 

[Bubblesong]

What is the standard procedure when regulator freezes and begin to free flow in cold water at the depth of 20ft?

Could you give more info about regulator? Brand, model, how it is set up? How old, and if owned or rented?

There are regulators that are designed and maintained for cold water so that’s why i ask.

 

[DevilEyeDog]

If you can’t quickly resolve the free flow, get on your octo and abort the dive.

 

[Bowers]

I require redundant gas sources that both have sealed first stages for cold water. This is so that if the primary free flows, I can switch to the redundant source, shut off the primary so it can thaw, and turn the dive in a not rushed fashion. If you for some reason find yourself ill prepared for such conditions and only have one first stage regulator on you, then breathe the buddies while you or they turn off your primary so it can thaw. Environmentally sealed regs should be able to handle it but keep in mind that two people breathing off the same first stage are creating twice as much gas flow and therefore twice as much adiabatic cooling do to gas expansion.

 

[tridacna]

If you can’t quickly resolve the free flow, get on your octo and abort the dive.

It’s the first stage that freezes up. Going to your octo won’t do much to help…

 

[Kylebee]

Could you give more info about regulator? Brand, model, how it is set up? How old, and if owned or rented?

There are regulators that are designed and maintained for cold water so that’s why i ask.

My regulator is Sherwood Brut Pro, owned, 2 years old. But I feel like that any regulator can freeze, so it it important for the to know what to do in the event of them freezing.

 

[Kylebee]

I require redundant gas sources that both have sealed first stages for cold water. This is so that if the primary free flows, I can switch to the redundant source, shut off the primary so it can thaw, and turn the dive in a not rushed fashion. If you for some reason find yourself ill prepared for such conditions and only have one first stage regulator on you, then breathe the buddies while you or they turn off your primary so it can thaw. Environmentally sealed regs should be able to handle it but keep in mind that two people breathing off the same first stage are creating twice as much gas flow and therefore twice as much adiabatic cooling do to gas expansion.

This is a very good idea. But do you feel like breathing from my buddy is a better idea or should I just perform emergency swimming ascent? As for the redundant source, do you use a pony bottle or doubles?

 

[Kylebee]

It’s the first stage that freezes up. Going to your octo won’t do much to help…

Yeah, but sometimes second stages can also freeze. lol

 

[gschaut]

Take the regulator out of your mouth. Smack it HARD against the side of your hand. If it still free flows, abort immediately. Primary two causes of free flow: Ice in 2nd stage from over breathing regulator (smack should free it up, then slow down and chill) or 1st stage overpressure (you're @#$%ed).

 

[Kylebee]

Take the regulator out of your mouth. Smack it HARD against the side of your hand. If it still free flows, abort immediately. Primary two causes of free flow: Ice in 2nd stage from over breathing regulator (smack should free it up, then slow down and chill) or 1st stage overpressure (you're @#$%ed).

Can you elaborate on how to smack it? And how do I get to the surface(CESA, try to sip air from the free flowing reg) if I abort the dive?