Dump valve getting stuck open

Curious how many people experience some type of failure with this valve during a dive

I have had it happen once at 40 mfw. Since them I take heed and take notice of the signs. I have rebuilt mine several times over the years. I dive an old DR Classic wing which is over 15 years old. I may have to replace it someday. It probably has 700 - 800 dives on it.

What I recently changed though was the corrugated hose as it should signs of cracking.

Dale

In the last year I have had it happen twice, but it was caused by sand in the valve both times when doing the type of dives where you have sand everywhere when you get out of the water (inside pockets, down the inside of your wetsuit, stuck in your hair, etc.)

I have had more drysuit dump valves leak, than BCD dump valves. I do keep spares of both, so I don't have to abort dives.

I presume this is in relation to the OPV recalls. In that regards, I have not had any failures.

I have recently had two issues with a wing.

The first was a small slice in the bladder which only caused a leak when the wing was full and in a heads down position. I was on CCR at the time and only noticed it because I could hear bubbles. It took a little while to figure out. I ended up aborting the dive in the cavern zone at JB.

The second failure was similar, but was caused by the "ball" being stuck between my CCR and the bailout. It kept the valve open and dumped the gas. That was easier to figure out once I felt back there and then I resumed the dive.

Cheers,
Jeff

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Originally Posted by FW

I have had more drysuit dump valves leak, than BCD dump valves. I do keep spares of both, so I don't have to abort dives.

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That's impressive! Spare dry suit dump. How do you change that under water?

I've had a wing dump failure a couple times from percolation falling into it at the wrong time. I also had 2 students recently with dumps that stuck open on their own. A little lube fixed both.

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Originally Posted by Ben M

In the last year I have had it happen twice, but it was caused by sand in the valve both times when doing the type of dives where you have sand everywhere when you get out of the water (inside pockets, down the inside of your wetsuit, stuck in your hair, etc.)

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Not sure of the cause but, my instructor and friends always stressed that when you are rinsing the bladder post dive never drain the water from the dump valve. His reasoning was that small particles could get trapped and cause it to leak. Over 500 dives and never had a problem. I hope this tidbit helps someone out there even if it does not apply to you.

I must admit that I was thinking of the dump valve on a wing when I voted. I've never had a problem with any of mine. I have had dump valves in drysuits that weep on me.

Kelly, were you thinking of dump valves in general, or dump valves in a particular application?

Brian

Wait...I thought that drysuits have exhaust valves and BCDs have dump valves?

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Originally Posted by RN

That's impressive! Spare dry suit dump. How do you change that under water?

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:roll:

If it is leaking, you will know as soon as you get in the water, and you can go back to the vehicle and get the spare.