scuba project development

[johnb]

Thanks again for your input,

i'll probably be back with more development soon!

[jammer]

Hey John how about one that caps over the tank and valves to protect them with a cut out in them big enough to get hand in to isolate if there is a problem. I have been working on the idea for sometime now and I think it would work. wouldnt have any problems with line entrapment and would protect you valves from ceiling and roll off. I could draw you my concept and email it to you if you like. Just a thought I don't know if you like the idea or not but I think it would work.

Jammer

[Dave]

Feel free to rip them to pieces if you don't like them.

Im going be completely honest here, because I am(was) a design engineer and appreciate constructive criticism.
I think you are looking at a component that is simply not required.
Cobra guards were popular with a few people years ago, however, as our skills and techniques improved, we no longer needed them. Anything you add to a tank just adds complexity to a simple system. What if it fails, what if it bends and restricts access, what if it gets entangled, what if it breaks away and gets left behind. How often are damaged valves an issue, how many accidents have occurred as a result of damaged valves. Does the current configuration have a weakness? These are all the things you need to consider, and if you have a solution to all of them (and many more), then you have a project worth perusing.
I dont mean to rain on your parade, I commend you for at least looking into it, innovation is tough, and someone has to do it.
Best of luck with this and any other projects.

Dave

[Dave Lizdas]

Dave's right. Adding stuff back there increases the chance for entanglement - not only for guidelines, but for the long hose as well.

Saturday I was passing the deco time in the Ear by working those manifold valves and doing S-drills (donate the long hose regulator in your mouth for air share thing.) My long hose got caught up in the valves and hoses back there behind my neck. Its supposed to deploy in a flash like it always does. NOT smooth. Unacceptable. So I'll watch how I wrap it around my neck and body to prevent that, especially in water. I can see a long hose getting hung up on a manifold guard.

Of course, since this is an engineering school project, it's all good as long as you learn stuff.