DIR recommendation on drysuit dump valves?

[tom]

Is there a DIR recommendation on type or siting of drysuit dump valves?

The reason I ask is that I'm having problems with mine (old style high profile Apeks autodump) as it seems to be in the wrong position - further forward than it should be, I think, when I'm horizontal in the water it's maybe 3 inches below the highest point of my drysuit sleeve. As a result when I'm ascending a big bubble of air collects around my upper arm / shoulders, requiring some major contortions to dump it. Therefore, I'm thinking of trying to have it moved, or fitting a cuff dump as well.

I think I remember reading somewhere about one or more GUE instructors having autodumps on their wrist / forearms. Is that correct, and if so what's the reasoning behind it?

Being a newbie it's possible (likely?) that my problems are a result of poor trim/technique, so I'll persevere for a bit and try to get it sorted. But in case I do need to change the valve, it would be really useful to know if there is a DIR position on this and if so what the reasoning behind it is. Thanks in advance for any info.

Tom (not a DIR diver but very interested in the system)
PS I'm diving with minimal air in the suit, just enough to take the squeeze off.

[daz]

Tom,

Just for info, tried my new suit on Saturday (It turned up   ).  The autodump is in exactley the same place as yours and with the Sitec autodump it seemed to work quite well.

The sitec dumps seem to dump air better than the Apeks low profile valves although I did find I have to tilt a bit more than I did in my old suit.  But at least it does dump easier.

YMMV

Daz

[tom]

Interesting - ties in with what you were saying about the Sitech being wider than my Apeks. Changing the valve rather than moving it might be an option then.

Or I could get a Sitech  for the shoulder and move the Apeks to my wrist

[And]

<font color='#000080'>Hi

AndyG uses a wrist (or rather forearm) dump, as do many of the Seattle based DIR divers. It is a low profile Apeks jobbie. Most DIR divers have the dump (Hi Profile Apeks or SiTech) on the left shoulder. I have to say I prefer a shoulder dump but then again, AndyG is one of the best divers I have ever seen in the water and it works for him.

It is common for drysuits to have them in the wrong place, although DUI and OThree don't seem to have that problem.

Hope that helps

Andy

[tom]

It does, thanks. I found this image on a Seattle site I think:

http://www.baue.org/images....leftarm

The valve's not where I imagined it would be (I had envisioned top of the forearm). Is that where AG had his?

[And]

<font color='#000080'>Hi

Found a pic of AndyG with a 5thD suit. I didn't really take that much notice when I dived with him, too busy making a fool out of myself



There are plenty of pics when you go to the training part of the site. You might find more there. Look for anything to do with Seattle as it is the preferred option there.

Andy

[tom]

OK, got it - the valve would be uppermost when your hands are out in front of you, right?

[And]

<font color='#000080'>Hi

That would be logical, yes. Be careful to allow enough room for instruments. The pic from Bay Area Underwater Explorers only shows a compass. Usually you would have two timekeeping devices. For me that means a Bottom Timer on my left wrist as well as a compass.

Andy

[Mdemon]

Had the same problem. &nbsp;Moved it back and up. &nbsp;Best thing I've ever done to my DS! &nbsp;No more Roman Salutes for me.

If you can get the 2 part adhesive I'd give it a go before changing dumps. &nbsp;Mine is a sitek HI profile which now works like a dream.

You'll need a patch - I used a spare manual dump. &nbsp;How's that for redundancy WL?

[bang-on]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (tom @ Feb. 02 2004,11:36)]The reason I ask is that I'm having problems with mine (old style high profile Apeks autodump)

<font color='#0000FF'>tom,
worth checking the holes in the dump are not blocked or improperly machined,saw a few like this that needed the holes opening up (plastic from manufacturing process) and then they worked ok.
cheers
barrie