Regulator swivel problems

[mm2002]

I have been diving one of these swivels, and I really like it. I wanted to get one for the wife, and I saw this: Innovative Scuba Concepts Recalls Diving Regulator Components Due to Drowning Hazard

So one unit came apart and now they are all being recalled? Does anyone else here use one? My first thought is to get rid of it, but I honestly don't see the problem. I take mine apart to clean and lube it, and I can see how it could fail if it wasn't assembled properly, so I have to wonder if that was the case with the one that "came apart". There's a main screw that holds the two halves together and sets the seal/tension, then there's a set screw that keeps it from backing out. If that set screw wasn't tightened properly, I could see the whole thing coming apart, but I don't see that as a defect in the equipment itself. Opinions?

[Splitlip]

well.....
You make it sound idiot proof. If it is not = defect.

I was on a night dive once. A diver's light did not work. Dead battery. Was on another dive when the divers 2nd stage fell off because it was not screwed on tight enough. In reality, most of our gear is not idiot proof however.

Thanks for the link. I have an Atomis swivel, and I believe that IS idiot proof .

[mm2002]

Good point. The design definitely isn't "idiot proof". Anything that can be disassembled can come apart on its own, if it's not assembled correctly to begin with. I've never seen one of the Atomic swivels, but when you say they're "idiot proof", I'm assuming you can't take one apart?

[Splitlip]

Originally Posted by mm2002

Good point. The design definitely isn't "idiot proof". Anything that can be disassembled can come apart on its own, if it's not assembled correctly to begin with. I've never seen one of the Atomic swivels, but when you say they're "idiot proof", I'm assuming you can't take one apart?

Correct.
But truely, divers need to be self sufficient and inspect their gear before diving, rental or their own. Which is why I brought up the 2nd stage and the batteries. It is life support, but not rocket science.

[texdiveguy]

I had and still have one (don't use it any longer)...but I did for several years with perfect results and no issues. As in anything mechanical things do and will go wrong.....of the thousands of those units manfc. and sold,,used and still in use I am guessing the failure rate is very low....I have never seen or persl. heard of one failing. BUT you have to take the provided 'warning' and do what you feel is appropriate with regards to using the unit. I have been 'told' that divers have even put a very small amount of lock-tight at the main screw thread end. Almost nothing we use in scuba is 100% foul proof.

[Crimediver]

I have heard of them failing and there was a thread about this on SB a year or two ago I believe. The consensus was that they have failed and I would not use one. I did not know they have been recalled until now.

[mm2002]

Originally Posted by Crimediver

The consensus was that they have failed and I would not use one.

Well, I'm sure that could be said about every piece of scuba gear we use, but we still use it. I do see your point though.

[RikRaeder]

I see that the recall is for less than 200 units. That's comforting at least (since there's one on my second stage). Scuba Toys guys...know anything about this? Any from your shop?

[pwctec]

I had one and it blew the O-ing about 3 minutes into the second dive! All 2850 lbs. of air emptied in a little less than a minute. I had to buddy breath and abort the dive . I immediatly removed the piece and dove the rest of my vacation without it. The wife also had one installed and the O-ring started leaking after about her seventh dive. I removed it immediatley. There a neat piece but I don't think it's worth the hassel or risk.

[Sounder]

Originally Posted by pwctec

I had one and it blew the O-ing about 3 minutes into the second dive! All 2850 lbs. of air emptied in a little less than a minute. I had to buddy breath and abort the dive . I immediatly removed the piece and dove the rest of my vacation without it. The wife also had one installed and the O-ring started leaking after about her seventh dive. I removed it immediatley. There a neat piece but I don't think it's worth the hassel or risk.

I see it as an unnecessary "extra" that provides another possibility for something to fail. Being the LP hose, it'll dump your gas a WHOLE LOT faster than the HP hose because the HP hose has the flow restrictor.