Tank not turned on all the way

[kahoots]

wow thanks for the info. ill keep that in mind.

[moosicman]

Hey, can anyone explain why some are taught to open the valve the entire way and then go a quarter turn back? I was taught to do this but not taught the why or do not remember. This has caused a very minor issue which I will share regarding my wife but don't have time right now, so keep your eyes peeled for it in this thread.

[CamaroChick]

Originally Posted by ReefHound

It could also be a clogged filter.

Nope, because the reg worked fine on the next dive - with the tank valve all the way open

[BSea]

Originally Posted by moosicman

Hey, can anyone explain why some are taught to open the valve the entire way and then go a quarter turn back? I was taught to do this but not taught the why or do not remember. This has caused a very minor issue which I will share regarding my wife but don't have time right now, so keep your eyes peeled for it in this thread.

The turn back 1/4 to 1/2 is a hold over from early valve models that leaked when turned on all the way. Some dive operations still do this but I doubt they know why either. It's just something that was taught & passed down.

[whitworthsa]

Originally Posted by BSea

The turn back 1/4 to 1/2 is a hold over from early valve models that leaked when turned on all the way. Some dive operations still do this but I doubt they know why either. It's just something that was taught & passed down.

My OW instructor taught us to turn the valve all the way on until it stops then to turn it back just enough that you knew it would not be stuck on if for some reason you needed to turn it off (less than a quarter turn). I think this might come from being used to diving doubles and having to have valves that can be easily turned off in an emergency.

[fireflock]

I've done that to myself before, at the pool, and yeah...those are the symptoms of a valve that is just cracked a bit. In my case I cracked it to check the tank pressure and then got distracted and moved to something else. 15min later when I hopped in the pool I forgot to check again.

In my case, my first clue to the problem was an air integrated computer beeping that my SAC was really high (only a few minutes of air remaining). It took a few seconds to remember what happened, and a few more to reach back and really open the valve (confirming my bonehead mistake).

In any case, practice reaching back and opening the valve for next time. Kudos for handling the problem and making it to the surface. I don't crack the valve anymore to check tank pressure. It's all open or all closed for me.

[scubasamurai]

a learning exp for all. thanks for the sharing and boy nerves of steel. i always check my valve is turned all the way even if checked by the DM . watch that gauge when you test your breathing

[Daved]

It is not un-common to have trouble drawing a breath at depth if the valve is not fully turned on--half a turn back--doesn't hurt. I had a buddy who explained to me once that he always had trouble "pulling" a breath when he was below 60'. I thought time to find a new buddy--. The next dive we did I check over his equipment--sure enough he was taught to open valve half way. Pretty scary. He was amazed how much easier it was to breathe.

[Splitlip]

I won't be so kind.

Shame on you (or your SO) for not checking before you splashed. Hopefully, lessoned learned.

ALWAYS suck hard on the reg and watch the SPG.

[USF_Diver]

Thanks for the info, glad he is ok.