Mouthpiece Retaining Head-strap

Digging up an old thread, I changed over to the Dreager mouthpiece. Any tips on using it? I had my first dive with it yesterday and after 30 minutes it was so uncomfortable I canned the dive.
 
I have found it critical (on a rEvo) that the DSV has to start in a neutral position. If there is an upward or downward bias then the gag strap seems to exaggerate that.

Play with how tight you are doing it up and where on the back of the head the strap lies. There'll be a sweet spot in there that you'll find.

Once you've dialled it in you should not have any fatigue or discomfort.
 
mick4707 said:
Digging up an old thread, I changed over to the Dreager mouthpiece. Any tips on using it? I had my first dive with it yesterday and after 30 minutes it was so uncomfortable I canned the dive.
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The bite wings feel fatter to me. I suspect this is a bit of a misguided effort to help it maintain a patent airway in the event of a loss of consciousness. (Teeth aren't airtight regardless). Using the strap a bit more and your teeth a bit less helps reduce the bulky feeling. It does take some getting used to, keep at it for 2-4 dives and it gets more natural feeling.
 
I agree with all the above posts. I have been using one for years and these days don't even notice its there, until I realise the mouthpiece is sitting in place even when I'm not biting on it. It is a fantastic device. Well worth persisting with. Not a panacea against drowning in unconsciousness, but I'm sure it mitigates the risk to a significant extent.

Simon M
 
mick4707 said:
I changed over to the Dreager mouthpiece. Any tips on using it? I had my first dive with it yesterday and after 30 minutes it was so uncomfortable I canned the dive.
Click to expand...
Mick, you don't say why it was uncomfortable, but if it helps the top three things pointed out to me to make the Drager one comfortable were to:
1) Wear the mask strap under hood and retaining strap over.
2) To pull the BOV/DSV down under your chin when removing the mouthpiece and in reverse, put the mouthpiece in and then slide up the retaining strap to the right spot.
3) Ensure that the strap sits on the crown of your head
You should be able to fiddle with the strap underwater to adjust the comfort and whilst you want it a little tight so it actually acts as a retaining device, you ought to still be able to move your jaw.
 
Draeger retaining strap ordered after discussion with PVT. Hoping it doesn't make me gag when it's not meant to, if you see what I mean.
 
I did have it on the crown of my head and reasonably tight. The bite is very different to the mouthpiece I was using it might just a case of getting accustomed to it. Thanks for all the suggestions, I will leave it on for a few more dives and I'll see how I go.
 
The other thing you might need to look at is the rotation of the BOV compared to the hoses. Torsion from the hoses can cause the BOV to apply pressure.

Ie if you find the BOV is putting pressure on your top lip then rotate the hoses backwards relative to the BOV (and vice versa).

I find I can adjust this underwater if needed.
 
I have one other issue to solve… how do you adjust the damn thing while diving thick gloves.
When I pull the straps they will not move until I pull harder…harder….. and then it they give in and move … for that moment it feels ok…
But after diving a while it sometimes a little too tight and how do you loosen it wearing thick gloves ?

Grtsz R
 
I only adjust mine on the surface. If you push on the side tabs away from your face it gets looser. Works for me with dry gloves although its a bit hard to tell how much its changed. It doesn't need to be super tight to stay in. Basically if it stays put without you biting, it will stay put while diving. At least it does for me with a Meg DSV and hoses, other heavier or lighter hoses might want to float or sink away.
 
I agree with the above, the strap does not need to be very tight but
the position is important. The strap should be over the crown of your
head and just tight enough to keep it in your mouth with no need to bite.
Pulling out and forward the little tabs on the outside of the strap fixing should
be enough to make the strap loosen but it takes a little practice.
 
Yes I like mine very much also. As said before I keep it just tight enough to stay in place. Too tight and it rubs the wrong way.
 
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