Regulator Venturi - Good or Bad? - Scuba Tech Tips: S06E15
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 ต.ค. 2024
- A viewer asked if they need to purchase a second stage regulator with a venturi? Alec explains why regulators have a venturi, how it works and who would benefit from having it.
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When you mix ton of charisma with years of experience you get Alec! Best scuba gear videos out there by far. Keep on good work! V
Wow! Thanks Voj.
Alec
What a great video! As a beginner these videos have been extremely useful in making me understand the equipment, and making me a better diver in the process. Thank you for sharing!!!
As a “big” guy who has been diving for ever, this was very informational and helps make sense. Plus after watching your video on your training (I took my course in 1974!) I’ve decided to go back this Spring and take a refresher. Even though I’ve been rec diving for years, taking time off and coming back, it really made me think and decide, why not take a course and make sure I’m “up to date” with my training. Thanks for these great videos Alec!
I smart decision Paul. May of us stone age divers have lots of dives but the new gear and training keeps you current, safe and enjoying diving longer. Stay safe my friend.
Excellent information...love your videos...."your knowlege sails in a sea of experience...".😍😍😍
So nice of you. Appreciate it Miklu.
Thanks for the up-date Alex , life saveing air is to precious to be Liberal with it.........
thanks for posting............................
You are the king of scuba! thanks for all the content!
I appreciate that!
Man, you cleared all my doubts like anything. Best video on how the regulator works. Thanks. ton.
You're welcome Deepak. Lots more to learn.
A
Brilliant explanation, thank you! 👌
Please show me the best way to clean and store my gear after diveing
Thanks Alex
There is an early video on that. I may do a new one.
Alec
Great explanation again! Every time I watch your videos, even on a subject I thought I knew, you show me something I never knew before. I love your presentation style too, simple and to the point without any flashy green screens or animations, just a man in his workshop showing us the ins and outs with practical demonstrations.
Thanks for your uploads, haven't found a single bad one yet!
-Rob
Keep watching Wij. I'm sure there's a bad one in there.
Let me know when you fid it.
Thanks for watching.
Alec
You have a great talent for explaining things in a simple and understandable way.
I'm very fit but you never know what condition you could run into under water that might exhaust you (like being chased by the Loch Ness Monster ..lol ) and having that venturi can save your life. Worth the extra bucks.
Thanks sir, glad you enjoy my ramblings.
Hi Alec, I just bought a new reg, a Scubapro MK11/C350. I just wanna say thank you, because I happen to watch this video just before my first dive with my new reg and could really understand about the venturi feature - and not panic when it easily freeflowed because I already know what made that happen - because of this video! Keep these useful videos coming!
Comments like yours are what make the work worthwhile. If I can help just one diver understand his gear better and maybe enjoy his dive more, I'm happy.
Thanks very much.
Alec
Great Video as usual. What you did not say in direct words (as you were talking to novices) was 'ease of breathing' although you certainly discussed it. In one article a tech diver said was that you can literally just take 3 breaths a minute (at rest) underwater. He was right. (7 second inhale, 7 second hold, 7 second exhale). I cannot do that on land! I attribute that to the light weightiness feeling in water and the EASE of breathing from the Venturi regulator. I have show students the difference in feel too, as you were showing on video with good, well maintained regulators vs some of the horrible ones I have seen used for pool use (and as rentals!). I do consciously try to do slow deep relaxed breaths while diving. As a result I have great deal more air than most of the group coming back. A venturi certainly helps. Full disclosure- I am a big guy and usually dive sidemount or with other gear/cameras- so more drag than most.
My test subject is always Kevin. He is a tiny diver just like a blue whale. He loves the venturi effect for his big lungs and slow breathing can make air last a long time.
Thanks for another great episode. I know you have mentioned doing an episode or two on drysuits. Just wondering how that might be coming along. Thinking of taking that plunge soon and would love to hear your thoughts.
We should have that ready in January.
Alec
Thank you, Alec. I’m a new diver researching for my first reg purchase. This video explains well the need or not for venturi.
Glad it was helpful!
I can't remember how many of your videos I've seen so far and I learned a lot from you some things I didn't know, I've been certified since 1989, and I learned your never to old to pickup something new. Thank you for sharing your passion I also have for diving. 🇺🇲👌🏼
Great to hear Rocky. Vintage gear is great fun to collect and dive but for easy no fuss diving, I love the modern stuff on my old bones.
Thanks Alec. What you presented provide me with lots of useful information to better understand the workings of the regulator.
Welcome Ryan. Lots more for you to learn.
I am so glad I watched this video and your excellent explanation about the venturi switch. I thought there was something wrong with my regulator. Now all I have to do is adjust the lever when my regulator starts blowing air and everyone is looking at me. LOL!!!!! Thank you very much.😊
You're welcome!
A
WOW you just explain this so great !!!
Your should be a teacher.. now i see and hear how this works PERFECT !!! THX !!!
I am! I am a teacher!
Thanks for watching. Glad you enjoyed it.
Alec
Thank you. I love this video. Great job in explaining...
Glad it was helpful Monica. Thanks for watching.
great explanation and most importantly, demonstration of the venturi effect in a 2nd stage. I came to this video trying to understand what a venturi caused free flow is and I learned so much more than that, including how a 2nd stage works. TNX !!!!
Glad you enjoyed it and are smarter for watching.
Alex
Great job on explaining how the Venturi does and how it helps out at diver. Keep the video's coming I miss not seeing one a week from you about fixing them. We live down in FL and started diving over five years ago in upstate NY. Diving in Lake George very cold around this time of the year. I'm glad we live in FL now on the west coast side.
Can you tell what a PADI or if NAUI tec course on maintaining your equipment goes through and is it worth it?
Thanks
Will
Diana and I are looking at getting a home in west Florida - in Little Canada close to Kissimmee.
The Equipment course is always a good idea. It mainly shows you how to take care of your gear so it lasts a long time. That alone is valuable besides the technical information you pick up about operation.
Take care.
Alec
Excellent video Alec. One question, since you have shown us the way the assist functions, would you be willing to explain how/what is happening in the regulator when a diver uses the breathing adjustment knob as featured on your example regulator in this video? Best.
I can do that. Added to the list. Keep watching. It may be a while.
Thanks. Alec
Hello Alec! Thank you so much for all your super informative videos. But this is one of my favorites! Wow, no one explains this as well as you do. This was a spectacular demonstration of the Venturi effect, which is basically the Bernounilli's principles of pressure differential in moving air ( the principle responsible for modern aviation). The rapid flow of air inside the diaphragm causing the pressure to drop significantly as compared to the pressure outside the diaphragm, and thus the diaphragm will continue to be "pushed" in as long as the flow is there. This principle applies to air flow within a narrow tube is called the Venturi effect allowing continuous air flow and thus helping the diver putting forth less effort on air-sucking. The manufactures called this Venturi-assisted, indirectly implying somehow they created this technology, but it is nothing more than the natural physics principle discovered by Giovanni Venturi in the 18th century. Closing the lever will partially close down the tube and slowing rate of air flow to the point the pressure in the chamber will rise enough together with the return force of the diaphragm back to its normally closed position, thus abolishing the Venturi effect. So the question is do we actually need this lever in the alternate second stage, commonly used only in an emergency? Probably not. Do we need the lever to prevent accidental free flow in the primary second stage when the purge button is struck, or when we need the Venturi effect to get more air with less effort? Probably. Your choice. It appears that the manufactures often charge hundred of dollars more to have this lever put in to their newest models, everything else being equal. Finally Alec, I am new to diving but watching your videos helped me learn a lot about this wonderful sports and save a ton of money at the same time, buy not purchasing unnecessary equipments!
Clearly your understanding of Bernoulli's Principle is solid and you're right. It's nothing new.
Re the design of regs, I agree that the venturi is NOT necessary in a safe second. In fact, it may cause more problems than any advantage offered.
I don't mind it in the primary provided it can be adjusted to minimal effect if wanted. When the diver needs some assist, he just dials it in.
DACOR (and maybe others) had a neat venturi system in which the lever had a vane on one side that directed the air across the diaphragm but only when the lever was depressed a lot. That is, with a normal shallow breath, there was no venturi effect but if you drew a big breath, as when you needed more air, the vane on the lever was drawn into the air stream and directed the air across the diaphragm to create a venturi effect. Essentially you automatically got a venturi asist when your needed it - automatically.
Glad you've been enjoying the vids.
Take care.
Alec
Finally I get it!!! Thank you sooo much for sharing your knowledge with us!!
Glad to help. Scuba is simple but sometimes the explanations I hear make it complicated.
Alec
Lol😅. Dont get water on my 1st stage... Wow!! What more can i ask . A Million thanks Alec!!
LOL.
That's "don't get water IN my 1st stage" Marvin.
It's OK to get water ON your 1st stage.
Good luck.
Alec
Surely the air speeds up when the lever is blocked, i.e.when the air passage is narrowed. This would cause the air to speed up in accordance with the Venturi principle. What say you ?
Air speeds up at the constricted air passage as Giovanni Venturi predicted. How say you.
Alec, I have that reg. Mine on the venturi says surface or dive or something to that effect so I always thought it was just a free flow issue. It sounds like I am wrong from the video. Love the videos!
Some regs, Scubapro comes to mind, have a 'Pre-Dive and Dive' setting. Others might say 'Surface and Dive' or whatever.
Strictly speaking these are not Venturi settings but simply devices that attempt to eliminate the sudden FreeFlow from a second stage it it's dropped into the water or if the purge is pressed on the surface. In the case of Scubapro, it's just a small lever that keeps the diaphragm from being pushed inwards too far. Other regs use different methods but the intent is the same - on Pre-Dive you have less chance of a FreeFlow; on Dive you have the least breathing effort.
Just use it as suggested. Turn it to Dive after you enter the water.
Alec
Thanks ALEC for your explanation.I am 54 years and kind of the guy you just described even with the same regulator!!!! It is a very good help for all divers.Keep following yor tech tips
AH. A young diver.
Glad to hear you're enjoying my tips.
Alec
I am new to diving and am taking my open water this coming Sat. My question is should I use their rental Dive Regulator or should I buy one. I did notice that during my 3 pool classes, some Dive Regulator seemed to be easier to breath.
If you want to continue diving, I hope you do, then owning your own gear makes it much more fun. Instead of a long message, watch S06E01 What to buy first/next/last. It will give your pointers to help you decide what and when to buy gear. Good luck.
A
Would it be possible for you to talk about your opinions on full face masks and the pros and cons?
would be cool indeed
Just added it to the list.
Thanks.
Alec
What a great video. Excellent explanation for a newby like me.
Glad you enjoyed it!
I learned one more feature of my regulator. Thank you for your lesson.
Glad it helped
Some man once said to me:
if you dont know what a particular feature does, you don't need it.
Yep!
A lot of advertising today 'features' features.
Often those features have no practical use. They are just added to sell the device.
I like an ad that says, "This regulator features a 'thing-a-ma-jig' and that's valuable because it allows a diver to 'dubba dubba doo'.
Now you know what the feature is for, what it will do for you, and you can decide if you want it.
Much better than just a long list of features of no value.
Alec
Great video my friend. Pushing forward with my training to become an instructor. Bye spring I hope. Suggest a video: Are LED lights better than the old bulb type. And service your light. Maybe a video on transporting your tanks.
LED vs incandecent bulb - not even close. MUCH brighter and uses so much less power so smaller overall package, or longer life) and they don't burn out/break filament. He did a video (very useful) on why you want to remove your batteries between dives for storage. I ruined one cheap light not doing it. I remove them after each wkd dive now.
Great video as always. I was getting ready to ask what kind of diver would want a venturi and you described my situation perfectly. Big bulky guy with a bit of a tummy, lol. Have you played around with those hydros pro bcd's? Would you recommend it? I'm eyeballing getting the hydros pro and a the mk25 s620 next year. The hard part is already figured out (the money) but that new bcd is a pretty unique design. Hoping it isn't an air2 type situation where it sounds good on paper, they upsell you it in the shop, but there is a fundamental flaw in the design like expensive to maintain compared to other back inflates or the material isn't as durable long term.
Why not just get a backplate and wing? Hydros is like trying to be a little bit pregnant. Spend the savings on your octopus or air2.
I love love that vid Alec, really great and made me to understand even more the benefits and how to not have a free flow too easily ;) ... I have that exact reg 1st and 2nd stage except mine if the 50th edition bronze ...
Yep. Good reg.
Alec
Awesome presentation! Tons of charisma as well as expertise!
Thanks so much!
Thanks,
Alec, another great explanation. Your Tech Tips have saved me so much money, I was finally able to buy that ScubaPro G2. ;-) Well maybe not enough for the G2, but you have definitely decreased my annual expenditures significantly and increased the life and reliability of my gear. I really did get the G2 and love it, although I look a little odd diving with a G2 and twin steel 70s with a J-valve. Still looking for a twin hose regulator.
Very informative! Always a little smarter after watching your videos. Keep them coming, Alec! Thank you..
Alec, thanks for another great video. Keep them coming........
As always great informative video
Thanks Chevy.
Alec
Once again, you bring us a fantastic video. You truly are an awesome educator and presenter. Thanks! By they way, how is that video on painting or refinishing aluminum tanks coming along... (hint hint) lol. You are doing a great job!
Just excellent!
Much appreciate the feedback.
A
That was an awesome explanation and show and tell
I'm glad it worked for you flyer.
Alec
Love your videos
Thanks for watching Frank.
Alec
Venturi is good in scubapro but I would never put a veturi in my poseidon cyklon or xstream. These regulators do not need this hack. Wow i have the first comment :)
Waldo Van Laeken i do not see the venturi in the cyklon second.... and yes for the xstream... very good implementation and very reliable.
Yep. That's a adjustable venturi inside the Cyklon. Hard to do underwater - maybe not impossible.
You may have been using a venturi and didn't know it.
Take care.
Alec
Great informative videos and so well presented. Experience is priceless and thank you for sharing it. Like so many activities it does seem to me that buying the best you can afford is the only option, whether it's 2nd stage valves, face masks, BCDs and so on. Is there a range of equipment that competes with the very best in terms of functionality and performance without the flashy bits and what equipment do you use? Thanks again.
Thank you Alec for all good advises..
Awesome videos.keep them coming
Thanks Chris.
Alec
Thanks a lot!
Very helpful. Keep it up
You nailed the explanation of what i had diving this holiday against current. Had the Mares rover from dive center, but against the medium current it was a hard work for me and didnt give enough air for me.
Emile Gagnan invented Venturi nozzle and he put it in La Spirotechnique Mistral regulator in 1955. The rest is history..
It was Emile that actually developed the modern regulator.
I say developed because there were some not-so-good versions of underwater breathing devices before him.
However, the point is that it was Emile, the engineer, NOT JYC who invented the regulator.
Thanks for your input.
Alec
Great chapter!! Alec, is it usefull to have a venturi if you use a fullfacemask?
You're the BEST! Thanks again for a great video and explanations!
Houston TX
You are so welcome!
A
Nice video 😊
Thanks for watching.
Alec
Great explonation! Thank you Mr.Pierce!
You are welcome!
A
How could I learn the things needed to become an authorized service provider for scuba gear?
The only way to get factory service training is by being sponsored by a dive shop so I suggest first that you start sucking up to your LDS. Service training is supposed to be for store employees only but I often allowed divers who expressed a need or desire for training to take a course. Generally they also cost anywhere from $100 to $400 for the course.
Each scuba manufacturer runs a training course which, naturally enough covers only their gear and only current gear too. You cannot learn how to service old gear, even 10 years old, on a factory course.
Courses are from 4 hours to 2 days depending on the brand.
There are lots of courses offered at DEMA in November in Las Vegas or Orlando but you still need dive store sponsorship if you want an Authorized Service Certificate.
If you just want to learn how to service gear, your own or others, again suck up to the LDS and maybe the service guy will let you work with him. Offer to help gratis if he shows you stuff.
Good luck.
Alec
Hi Alex. Thanks for the vid. Excellent, as always. Was wondering if you do a comparison between PADI & NAUI dive courses. It's been 30 years since I last went diving & I'd love to get back into it. We are in northern Australia. Cheers.
I don't really want to get into an agency debate Ed. I'm an instructor for 7 different scuba training agencies and have friends in all of them. I think they all feel they are doing a good job.
I will say this - PADI is larger is numbers and worldwide recognition than all the others combined! So it makes sense if you want to get back into the sport (or if you're just starting) to choose PADI. The knowledge and skills are the same for all of them but the training materials and methods and the universal recognition of PADI makes it the logical choice.
NAUI was big in Oz as it was in Canada but they have simply not kept up with the times.
Good luck. Keep in touch.
Alec
I love your channel. I'm getting back into diving after 23 years, since I was a teenager, and your channel has brought me up to date. Thx you and keep em coming....
That is awesome! Welcome back and hope my old man rants give you tips for buying gear and diving. Take care.
A
Hi Alex, slightly off topic but what are your thoughts on the HOG line of regs and first stages, thinking of a HOG D3 and Zenith second stage?
Love the videos super helpful and informative.
I have used and sold HOG. Good stuff. Just be sre you can get service and parts where you live. They are not well known.
Alec
Alec
What an amazing video!! I bought a scuba pro MK25EVO and A700 reg a year ago and it has a Venturi on it. I found this Venturi useful on a dive on el um farod wreck in Malta, we were swimming back into quite a strong current and this Venturi helped a lot when I turned it on. I wasn't sure of the science behind it, I just knew it helped me. Now I know why!! Me and my 19 year old boy love your videos and think you're well cool, keep up the good work!!
Kind regards
Johnny Battiste
Thanks very much Johnny. I'm happy to be of some help on your diving.
Alec
Love your content. I really appreciate the Venturi effect when diving in the 60m (180 ft) + range. As gas density increases with depth this has an effect on the WOB. The Venturi really helps with breathing dense gas mixtures.
Thanks for the feedback from a really deep diver.
A
Did a dive today down to around 75 feet on my new regulator. It has a Venturi. To be honest, I flipped it back and forth and couldn’t tell a difference between on or off. Not to say I’m not happy with it. I am. Just couldn’t tell the difference.
My next question: integrated BCD? Or weight belt? What’s the advantage/disadvantage of one or the other?
If you are a fit, relaxed diver, the venturi is of little value to you. You don't need the "boost" it gives so may not even notice it.
Next time you're out, take some really big breaths - suck hard on the darn thing. Then try it again with venturi. The venturi effect only works under high air flow.
We talked about that in a previous video. The weight-integrated BCD is wonderful. It allows you to spread your weight around your body so it's not all pushing down on your waist. You can get a better trim using it - some weight in front, some in back, some on your waist.
I think you'd like it.
Take care.
Alec
My Apeks regs are marked + and - on the venturi lever. Is + venturi 'closed' and - 'open'?
Generally + mean venture effect is on. Look inside your mouthpiece and as you turn the venturi on/off, you should see a vane/blade move up/down for most modern models. The test is with air on, turn venturi off, breath 2x, turn venturi on, breathe 2x and you should feel an air rush when on. Much more noticeable underwater. I have a video coming late August called All About Venturi's, to give a broad understanding to everyone.
A
Another very helpful episode. Thanks Alec!
Thanks for watching Glenn.
Alec
Greetings from South Africa, Been scuba diver since 1986. Great and informative videos. Keep up the good work. Am of the opinion that most of these "features" are gimmicks and the average diver does not really derive a whole lot of benefit from the apart from a lighter wallet ;)
Hello Marcel. Did you see my videos from South Africa? Starting at S06E17. Had a great time diving and safari.
Hi Alec, Love your videos. I recently got recertified and have been watching you tech tips on what a person really needs. My son and daughter wanted to get me a regulator first and second stage for Christmas which they did. MK 25 Evo with a A700 reg. I told them it was way to much and over the top, but they insisted. I now need a safe second and would really value your thoughts on what to get. I am from the PNW and cold water dive, but will travel to Florida and Hawaii in the future. Thanks again.Scuba Pete
You can get a good octo from Scubapro if you like but I'm a fan of the specific safe second designs. Oceanic has one and Sherwood too. They are a lot less expensive, work as well if not better and are much easier to deploy in an emergency. Check out the AltAir from XS Scuba. It's my favorite. I guessed that PNW means Pacific North West right? That means I live in the GLCO (Great Lakes Central Ontario) ha ha.
Good luck.
Alec
That i had to exp myself when got my A700 and had to do clearing on my mask😂 air won't wanna come out to my nose. You'll get used to🤔 had to adjust. Works great at depth, easy to breathe if got air yo spare.
Practice and experience is not the best way to become a good diver - it's the ONLY way!
Good luck.
Alec
Thank you Sir....for another information packed video. Your delivery of the material and attention to details...make it a great way to learn. Please keep up the amazing work!
Much appreciated Michael and thanks for watching.
Great videos Alec! Thank you so much for your honest and sincere tech tips! Perfect! Wish you health and flexibility of your mind Thank you for sharing 60 years of experience this is priceless
Welcome Evgeny and thanks for watching.
Alec
Non-diver preparing to go into diving here. Absolutely love the explanation and humour in this video. I know understand how this works! Thanks
Glad it was helpful and know you will love the underwater world.
A
Thanks, Alec! It explained perfectly what happened to my regulator! So if I dive with max on my Venturi, does that mean I am consuming more airs and will likely run out of air faster?
Using a venturi assist does not use more air but makes inhaling easier with less work so your more relaxed while diving. Thanks for watching.
If I understand it correctly a venturi could be als usful if you dive deeper, I know you may don't breath easier, but per breath more air, if I'm right, the deeper you are the more air you use. I just ask, because I just thought if I were right, it could be a smart idea to change the regulator if you reach 30 Meter. Sure it may would just make sense if you had a secound tank.
But here in Switzerland, it could be useful, because we had the (stupid) law, you need two 1st stages and two regulators, because, what if one would freeze. So if s venturi could be useful at 30-40 meters, it would make sense to buy one with a venturi, if not you would just buy a 1st stage and a cheap octo, since it's just a back up.
They are a good feature for many divers who want to ‘feel’ the air coming in.A
I’ve only just discovered you and your tech tips. You are a revelation! I love watching your videos, you explain things in a way anyone could understand and you clearly have a LOT of experience. You also make me laugh a lot. Keep up then good work, I’m telling all my dive buddies about you!
Thank you Paul.
Hope you find something useful.
Alec
I would love if you would talk about different types of full face masks and the pros and cons of using them!! I love the videos and I'm an avid watcher, keep it up!
I'm working on that.
Alec
This is wonderful, love your explanation.
Glad you enjoyed it!
A
Hello Alec.Thanks for explaining that in laymans term. Short and concise, straight to the point..
Thanks Chris. Hope it helps your understanding of your scuba gear.
Alec
Wow Alec, great presentation. Very illustrative, mostly for somebody that is restarting to dive after more than 30 years of not doing it and needs to know how the equipment works nowadays. Keep on with the good work.
Most things haven't changed - new materials and some new technology. But we still fin up and down - not sideways (except for the odd tech diver) and have the same old problems -fogging masks, dives are too short, etc.
Have fun.
Alec
Your videos and explanations are priceless. Thank You !
Glad you like them!
A
I just bought a pair of Nova 2 fins and have some question to Alec or the audience. I travel light and need to squeeze them in 55cm long rucksack. Obviously I have to bend them somehow. Is it better to bend the end of the blades of the fins or bend them where the hinge is? They only have to last like that for 5 hrs tops. Is it going to affect them somehow? Or will they come back to their original shape? Cheers.
They are synthetic so shouldn't be affected by a bit of bending.
I'd say bend the tips. The hinge is very stiff.
Alec
Great tech tip-While watching I actually took my regulator apart and cleaned the diaphragm area. Will add to my maintenance agenda. Thanks, Jim
Thanks for watching Jim.
Glad it was helpful.
Alec
Hi.. how do i know if my 1st stage got water inside. Yes we all do things to prevent it. If such situation, what will i do?. Thanks and more power..
Common problem Marv.
Did I get water in the 1st stage? How do I know? What do I do?
I'll do a Tech Tip on this.
In the meantime, your actions may very well save your regulator.
If it was salt water, the damage might be extensive and expensive.
So, what to do?
Assume that you DID get water in it. That's safer than assuming you did not and finding out later that the reg is damaged.
If it was fresh water, then all you need to do is put the reg on a tank and let air pass through it for a while, say maybe 5 minutes.
The easiest way to do that is to hold the purge button down a bit so a small freeflow occurs. The dry air from the tank will dry out any water that might be in the 1st and in the hose too.
If it was salt water, then you must rinse it first in fresh water. Remove the dust cap and place the 1st in very clean fresh water (distilled?) so that it is completely immersed for several seconds. Then treat it as a fresh water flood.
You have other problems however but they too are fairly easy to solve.
There may be water in the other hoses - the safe second, the BCD inflator and the SPG high pressure hose.
To clean them simply purge the safe second just as the primary, even at the same time is fine.
The BCD Inflator hose can also be cleaned by connecting it to your BCD and inflating the BCD several times. Water from the hose going into the BCD is not an issue since the BCD gets water in it all the time during operation.
The SPG hose is harder. The danger here is that water going into the SPG will ruin it. It cannot be repaired. So you must remove the gauge from the end of the hose and blow some water through it by turning the valve on slightly. The gauge itself should be set out to dry at least overnight. There is no way to get into the gauge to dry it. Then grease the swivel pin (as per my previous Tech Tip) and reassemble.
If your high pressure hose goes into a computer, the process is the same. If it's a QD (Quick Detach) hose you need to depress the pin inside the end of the hose, and while holding it down tightly, slowly open the valve to let some air pass through. This is not easy and may take several tries.
If you are using a HP transmitter to a hoseless computer, all you can do is remove it to let if dry and hope for the best.
The alternative to all this is to take it for service which will range from $20 for drying to $200 for complete disassembly and set-up.
Don't get water into your 1st stage!!
Good luck.
Alec
Great video Alec! Thanks!
Able to do a video about water resistance testing on dive computers and how they test it in pressure chambers?
Few dive shops can do a pressure test. The test chambers are very expensive - $2000+. There's no way divers will pay enough to warrant having one. And you cannot test the computer functions, only the watertightness and even that's iffy.
If you've just installed a new battery and O-Ring and want to test it, the only way to know if it's watertight is to take it down in the test chamber while in water (easy to do) and then open it afterwards. If it's dry it's good; if it's wet it's ruined. And if it is dry, then you have to reseal it and repeat the above.
See? It's not as definitive as you might think.
The test chamber will check the depth and time readings. That's about it.
Any other dive computer problems can only be addressed by the manufacturer.
Alec
Hi alec hope you well . Alec is the US divers conshelf 2 a piston or diaphragm first stage plse .Thanks
US Divers has played around with both piston and diaphragm over the years. Their very popular Calypso reg in the 60's was a piston and it was at one time the top reg available. And the very popular (it was cheap!) Aquarius was a piston too. It was unique in that you could adjust the IP with a screwdriver. That's very unusual for a piston reg.
However, US Divers pretty much dropped the piston regs from their line several years ago and, to the best of knowledge and other than the very odd exception, they have made only diaphragm regs for a long time - and that includes the Conshelf line.
The Conshelf line has been around a long time starting with the Conshelf II and running up to at least the Conshelf 22 (that doesn't mean 20 different models but it has been a lot). The Conshelf 1st stage is a very solid regulator.
If there is a complaint about it and strictly from a service point of view, if the Conshelf 1st stage is disassembled for any reason, the HP seat has to be changed. It simply will not seal again if it's been disturbed after seating once. This applies even if the seat is new. So during assembly, you must be careful to have everything just right before putting pressure on the HP seat to lock it into place. You get one chance only.
Oh, and the 2nd stage poppet spring adjustment too. That's a real nuisance. Another time we can talk about that.
Long answer to a short question.
Alec
Great demo with taking the cap off the 2nd stage
Glad you like it.
A
Thanks a million, finally I get the idea.
I have found these videos so interesting. You go in great detail with all the gear and throw in some personal experiences while explaining which are very memorable and I can easily relate your suggestions to my own gear.
Thank you so much for doing this and sharing you broad knowledge on diving!
Well thank for watching.
I'm glad you're enjoying it. I enjoy making the videos or it that too obvious?
Almost every day someone asks why I don't make money on U-Tube.
My answer is simply - my viewers don't want ads and I don't want to spoil my fun.
Take care.
Alec
Just got a nice set of regs with these secondhand and had them overhauled. Thank you for making this.
Glad you like them!
A
Thanks for the class on venturi I just bought a Brawn 1st, 2nd and octopus and they both came with this feature know I understand it a little better
Glad I could help
Hi Alec. Any ideas of how to polish my masks lenses? They have some weird stains that are only visible when they are dry so they do not disturb during the dive. But it would be nice to get them clear again.
You have to be careful. Some masks have a coating on them designed to either prevent fogging (doesn't work!) or to enhance vision (marginal success). Trying to vigorously to clean the mask would damage the coating.
However, if that's not a problem, we use a gritty kitchen cleanser like Ajax or Comet to thoroughly scrub the glass inside and out. Then a good quality anti-fog should do the trick. If not you still win - now you get to buy new mask!!
Good luck.
Alec
hey alec i have an old sherwood 1st and 2nd stage (bought it brand new in 2000). they are regularly serviced. i dont feel like i need to get a new 1st ANS 2nd stage. should i get a new one or just keep using what i have? you know the addage dont fix it if its not broken.
A well-maintained Sherwood regulator from 2000 is perfectly fine for diving. Little has changed in that time and nothing of great importance. Those older Sherwoods were renowned for their utter reliability.
If you feel the need for an adjustable 2nd stage or a venturi, then you'll need to get a new one. But, barring that, your good ol' Sherwood will last forever.
Alec
You, sir, are a mentor to a student like me. Thank you and Kevin for the time spent making these videos. Your contributions to all things diving are immeasurable.
You are very welcome John.
They used to have Venturis on carberettors I guess the principles are the same fuel and air mixture to increase powere or decrease power.
Question why do the not recommend having first stage of one manufacture and second stage with another as it's just air being deployed from first stage to second stage.
There is no problem mixing manufacturers between 1st and 2nd stages. See my video on the subject for a deeper discussion. However the 2nd stage may need the breathing adjusted to perfectly match the 1st stage IP. Only needs to be done once so enjoy your picked gear.
The most different second stages I know of are those by Poseidon. They're much smaller than most second stages, and the purge button is on the opposite end to the hose, rather than in front of the mouth. I know people who swear by them though.
Everyone has a favourite they love. That's why we have so many choices in gear, lucky us.
A
Thanks for the video, my reg has a pre dive switch and when I have it on it free flows if I push the diafram too hard. Could this happen underwater?
Not likely. The water should stops a freeflow.
Try it. In shallow water give it a firm push to see what happens. It's good to know if you're going to be using it.
Take care.
Alec
This has been one of the most interesting, educational videos I've seen. Thank you!
Well, thanks Matt.
I have found (over 2 million views) that each video has something for someone.
I'm glad you found something useful in this one.
Alec
this has been the single most informative video I have ever seen, just watched it with my 12yr old boy who is doing his open water along with me, he now understands how the regulator works, what the parts are, and what a venturi does, brilliant video
Thanks Mark.
I'm glad it has helped you guys know what's going on.
Alec
Alec, your videos are a blessing! Thanks again.
Glad you like them!
A
Can u do a video on the sherwood blizzard pro vs the sherwood blizzard and what's the differences between the new and old
I could do that but quite frankly it would be a short video.
The Blizzard Pro uses the excellent Sherwood DAD (Dry Air Demand) 1st stage that is a sealed design, impervious to water entry and a good choice for cold water. It has been so good that it's now used throughout the line. Even the 'economical' Brut uses that 1st which turns it into a high flow, top quality but still economical regulator. It's also very easy and economical to service.
The previous Blizzard which has always had a good reputation for rugged, reliable performance particularly in cold or dirty water, is now called the Legacy (sounds better than 'older model'). I suspect it will be discontinued once stock runs out.
The Blizzard Pro is different only in the second stage. It now uses a proprietary demand lever (that means that only Sherwood uses this design). The lever is different in that it moves in the opposite direction to the air flow when compared to the older, more common style. If you picture the air hose coming from the 1st stage, generally the 2nd stage demand lever in most regulators moves away from the air flow. The new style has the lever reversed on the poppet and it appears to move toward the air flow. The 2nd stage seat arrangement is unchanged but the activation of the seat is now much improved by the new design.
While Sherwood calls it proprietary, this arrangement has been used on some other well-known regulators many years ago. They were generally very high performance regulators at the time. This design removes some obstruction to the air flow and allows Sherwood to redesign the case interior to take full advantage of unhindered air flow and to increase any venturi effect. The diver ought to experience lower inhalation effort and smoother, easier flow.
The design change probably increases the manufacture cost slightly but the improvement in performance, enhanced breathing, lower inhalation effort and greater resistance to cold, make any minor increase a good investment.
It happens to look pretty cool too with the icicles on the case cover!
BTW, to remind those who've not seen my related Tech Tip, the Sherwood Oasis Pro is identical to the Sherwood Blizzard Pro with all the same breathing enhancements. Of course, with the Oasis Pro, which is marketed to warm water divers, the increased resistance to cold water is not mentioned. Instead, the sealed 1st stage and new 2nd stage is marketed as sealed against salt water and not subject to corrosion. That's called marketing folks and in this case it's accurate and honest.
Take care.
Alec