Dump valve getting stuck open

[Kelly Jessop]

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

[bletso]

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

[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.)

[TONY CHANEY]

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.)

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.

[Sludge]

when you are rinsing the bladder post dive never drain the water from the dump valve.

I couldn't disagree with this more strongly. When I'm cleaning my gear, here's how the wing gets treated:

1. Drain any water from the wing by inflating it, holding it upside-down so that the elbow is at the lowest point, and holding the deflate button until all water stops coming out. Then shake it for several minutes while draining and re-inflating it until you are convinced all the water is out.

2. Fill the wing about one-third full from a water hose. Slosh the water around for a few minutes and then run water through each dump point (OPV) by letting it be the lowest point of the wing and opening the dump. Make sure all valves are addressed, to rinse any foreign material out of the valve.

3. Repeat steps 1 and 2.

4. Repeat steps 1 and 2.

5. Totally drain all water from the wing. Store it upside-down for several hours and drain the last few drops before putting it away.

[TONY CHANEY]

I couldn't disagree with this more strongly. When I'm cleaning my gear, here's how the wing gets treated:

1. Drain any water from the wing by inflating it, holding it upside-down so that the elbow is at the lowest point, and holding the deflate button until all water stops coming out. Then shake it for several minutes while draining and re-inflating it until you are convinced all the water is out.

2. Fill the wing about one-third full from a water hose. Slosh the water around for a few minutes and then run water through each dump point (OPV) by letting it be the lowest point of the wing and opening the dump. Make sure all valves are addressed, to rinse any foreign material out of the valve.

3. Repeat steps 1 and 2.

4. Repeat steps 1 and 2.

5. Totally drain all water from the wing. Store it upside-down for several hours and drain the last few drops before putting it away.

OK..it makes good sense. I do step 1 but will start doing the others as well.

[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.

[icestac]

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

[RN]

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.

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.

[FW]

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

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.