Long hoses?

[Kev]

Hi there everyone

I am still a relative newbie to diving being Padi AOW with about 45 dives. I am going to do the rescue course as soon as it proves practical (I travel a lot) and am not particularly looking to start technical diving at any point soon. I do not have a regular dive buddy.

Having recently acquired my first set of regs I have noticed that all of the hoses are far too short for comfort (made for midgets as far as I can tell). Anyway, I am replacing them all (dry suit, BCD and high pressure hose included) with longer hoses before I dive again as I am finding the regs uncomfortable and restrictive. I am sure this will eventually cause me problems if they are not replaced.

My question is this:

Is there any merit in a new diver like me buying the 5' or 7' hose as per the DIR style given that I am replacing the hoses anyway?

Note that I have an instructor that uses the DIR configuration and I am sure she would be prepared to teach me how to donate air properly with the long hose - although this does not look too difficult to me. Note also that I have a stab jacket not a wing, I imagine that might complicate matters?

Any thoughts gratefully received.

[David]

Originally Posted by Kev

Having recently acquired my first set of regs I have noticed that all of the hoses are far too short for comfort (made for midgets as far as I can tell).

seems a bit odd that ?

just for fun can you measure the hoses you have got. The sizes might make some sence to us here ....

David

[Woz]

Have you got your cylinder far enough up your back? I see lots of people with really really low set cylinders. If you tilt your head back you should be able to smack it on the first stage.

I'm a fattie and use standard length hoses- my backup comes from the left post, round the back of my head and into my mouth and it's still fine with no restriction in movement. Drysuit hose is a bit short, mind- but that's cos Otter offset their inflate valve to the right.

[nickb]

I'd recommend the long hose and bungeed backup to everyone as long as it's all correctly configured.

No doubt Terry H will be along shortly to tell you not to do it, else you'll surely die

[Kev]

BTW I am 6'2" and weigh about 15 stone.

BCD hose is 26" and may just about be OK.
Dry suit hose was even shorter than that but has already been replaced. The one provided was pulling the valve when I wore the suit and was extremely tight around my side. My new hose is 36" and has not yet been tested as I have been diving in warm water for the last couple of weeks.
SPG is 30" and I cannot stow the SPG (I normally tuck it under the strap on the BCD) without it interfering with my weight system (this is integrated into the BCD).
Reg is 26" and is uncomfortable to keep in my mouth when I turn my head left.
Octo is 36", fortunately I have never had to use it for real but I find it awkward when practicing OOA.

If it makes any odds I have a Scubapro Mk25 with an S600 second stage and R395 on the octo. The SPG is a Suunto three in a row type.

[Kev]

Originally Posted by Woz

Have you got your cylinder far enough up your back? I see lots of people with really really low set cylinders. If you tilt your head back you should be able to smack it on the first stage.

I'm a fattie and use standard length hoses- my backup comes from the left post, round the back of my head and into my mouth and it's still fine with no restriction in movement. Drysuit hose is a bit short, mind- but that's cos Otter offset their inflate valve to the right.

Yeah, I have it far enough up my back. Its a good point but I am sure this is not the issue.

[PW1664]

Noting that you have an Instructor who uses a DIR config. It would be worth getting them to look at your set up and chat through your options.

Seeing it first hand might well help find a less expensive solution or point out a more suitable set up.....

[David]

Originally Posted by Kev

BTW I am 6'2" and weigh about 15 stone.
BCD hose is 26" and may just about be OK.
Dry suit hose was even shorter than that but has already been replaced. The one provided was pulling the valve when I wore the suit and was extremely tight around my side. My new hose is 36" and has not yet been tested as I have been diving in warm water for the last couple of weeks.
SPG is 30" and I cannot stow the SPG (I normally tuck it under the strap on the BCD) without it interfering with my weight system (this is integrated into the BCD).
Reg is 26" and is uncomfortable to keep in my mouth when I turn my head left.
Octo is 36", fortunately I have never had to use it for real but I find it awkward when practicing OOA.

If it makes any odds I have a Scubapro Mk25 with an S600 second stage and R395 on the octo. The SPG is a Suunto three in a row type.

Those hose lenths sound ok and I am 6'4 have looked to see if swapping them around on the fist stage would help any ?

I think this is one of them need to be there to look at it to solve problem.

im stuck :-)

David

[Kev]

Originally Posted by PW1664

Noting that you have an Instructor who uses a DIR config. It would be worth getting them to look at your set up and chat through your options.

Seeing it first hand might well help find a less expensive solution or point out a more suitable set up.....

That is sound advice and I will certainly carry it through.

It has just occurred to me that instead of stowing the SPG under the strap of the BCD like I was taught when I trained I could try clipping it off to a D ring on the left hand side of the BCD instead.

[TerryH]

Originally Posted by nickb

I'd recommend the long hose and bungeed backup to everyone as long as it's all correctly configured.

No doubt Terry H will be along shortly to tell you not to do it, else you'll surely die

Nope TerryH would say let someone check the basic system first, before
trying another.

Nothing wrong with long-hose, just think that a diver should change kit
configs when HE feels HE needs to and not just because some web pundit
says X is better than Y.