Lesson Learned - BOV Reliance

Johnny4fish said:
Can i ask, when is the last time you had your bov serviced?
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I serviced it over the winter and installed a new mouth piece. I used a low profile zip tie designed for regulators but it was obviously a piece of crap. I ordered zip ties with stainless steel tabs and some RTV - I am going to put a seal on it.
 
headstrap1_180.jpg This is the ap head strap that actually would help in this situation. I actually know several divers using it on the Shrimp BOV.
 
nickb said:
Read the post smart arse - a gag strap would not have helped here.
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hey hick...maybe u need to get yer head out of your ass before name calling. no way the mouthpiece comes free with a properly adjusted strap. leakage for sure...separated from the dsv...not buying it.
 
I have had mouthpieces come off DSVs as well as BOVs. And I've seen it happen to others. But I have NEVER seen the Drager come off, not once. It has a much larger mating surface and is actually quite difficult to put on. Of course that doesn't mean the mouthpiece part couldn't rip. But it wouldn't separate from the DSV or BOV.

As for the OP, bolting to the surface is a reflex that you should learn to stifle. It was ok in this situation since you were shallow. But asking what would have happened at 200 feet raises a lot of questions. When I've had ripped or separated mouthpieces, I just put my lips over the stump or flange and kept breathing. No need to panic. But practicing your bailout procedure sounds like a good idea.
 
kwinter said:
As for the OP, bolting to the surface is a reflex that you should learn to stifle.
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I never panicked. Nor did I bolt to the surface. I also did not ask what would happen at 200 feet. I observed that it would have been very different. I did say it was a bit surreal and since I was ostensibly at the surface I decided to kick up.

I became keenly aware that I was missing a particular skill (bail out to reg rather than BOV) in my drilling routine...
 
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AVacc said:
but I am leery of straps. This is not based on experience, training or other useful qualification. I base it on confirmation bias and fear of change. ;)
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Have a read of http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21539168

Or if you get the opportunity look up some of what Paul Haynes has published and presented on the issue.

They are really easy to run: just have your mask strap under your hood and gag strap over the crown of your head. If you want to swap to a reg, just push it down under your chin and you don't even notice the strap.
 
AVacc said:
I think I like that better than a Draeger but I am leery of straps.

This is not based on experience, training or other useful qualification. I base it on confirmation bias and fear of change. ;)
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I was too, but the drager one is impressively comfortable after a few dives. It felt really fat to me in the beginning. The large sealing flange is especially helpful while scootering. I was getting water in through the corners of my mouth while scootering when I turned my head slightly. The drager mouthpiece 100% solved that.
 
When I wear my mask over my hood the face seal of my hood mates nicely over the top of the silicon skirt of my mask. No flushing and nice and warm.

If I put my mask underneath the hood my face seal is held away from the mask silicon where the straps attach to the mask allowing cold water in along the channel of the mask strap around my head.

I'm quite happy with my mask over the top it's just that it was suggested other wise in this thread.
 
DeepUnderground said:
How cold is the water in Australia ? I'm talking 7 degress over here, very noticeable to me when I have hood over mask
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Recently 15-20'C
I have however dived in 4'C with the same mask/gag strap config and been quite comfortable. Pick the wrong hood and I feel it as well.

My current cold water unbranded 5/7mm hood is getting a little long in the tooth but these look interesting to replace it http://www.diverlaura.me/dive-gear-review-spyder-k01/
 
just my 2 cents buttttttt mouthpiece check is part of my predive checklist ........i know some people dont believe in them ...im not one of them
 
I use build and pre-dive check lists like religion. BOV inspection looked fine before the dive. Next time I will give the mouthpiece a jiggle, though :)
 
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