Why are all rented BC dump valves broken?

[cloudflint]

Ive never seen a dump valve broken to the point that a bit of fresh water and some silicone grease couldn't fix it right up

I do alot of maintenance on pool jackets and 99% of the time the problem is not with the jacket but with the users position in the water, ive seen people attempting to dump air from their shoulder dump while doing a duck dive which is always hilarious, after they have floated upsidown on the surface with their legs flapping around in the air i usually grab them and flip them the right way round (Im not saying this is what was causing your problem, if you where pulling the dump and only a trickle of air was coming out it sounds like the valve was salted up)

 

[vladimir]

Perhaps the dump valves on the rented BCs were, in fact, functional, and the OP--a novice diver--did not manage to have the dump valve high enough to vent properly. Perhaps his trim is better in his new BC and the dump valves are consequently easier to operate.

Just a theory that seems to cover the facts without requiring any mind-boggling statistical anomalies.

 

[redacted]

I no longer have any problem with my pull-dump valve. But that is most likely because I don't have one any more.

One problem with pull-dump valves is that when divers pull to descend and don't get the expected response, they often just try to pull harder and faster (jerkier). That is a bit rough on the spring and cable. It really is an extra expense that produces an unnecessary failure point.

 

[Thanshin]

I do alot of maintenance on pool jackets and 99% of the time the problem is not with the jacket but with the users position in the water

Perhaps the dump valves on the rented BCs were, in fact, functional, and the OP--a novice diver--did not manage to have the dump valve high enough to vent properly.

I test my BCs before entering the water, as I hope/suppose everyone else does. So that's not it.


I put the tank, test the pressure, test the reg and octo, test the bc fill, test the valve...ooops another dive with no valves.

And when I say "not working" I really mean "I pull the rope while compressing the bc and nothing happens".

Also, my new BC works as expected, a gentle pull and the air goes out. So it was not a problem with the testing method either.


By the collective response, I'm feeling I've been very unlucky.

 

[Hostage]

They could have been giving you the same BC over and over again. My dive shop would give me the same gear over since they numbered all their stuff and it was easier than resizing everyone.