Speaking of switching regs from one tank to another

[Tegg]

I see alot of people talk about this as something that they would do, even I have done it to "test" how long it took.

What I am pondering is, How many incidents have involved actually switching a reg from one tank to the other? As in how many people have done it because they "had" to, not for testing...??

I figure in 30 or so years that cavediving has been around, there must be ONE incident where this was needed, or why else would it be "practiced"?

I have spoken to alot of "old cavedivers" and I can't remember an incident of that nature ever being discussed.

So, have YOU had to actually use the skill of swapping a reg from one valve to another in water? If so, what were the failures that led up to the needed switch?

Thanks.

I have a better idea. Buy quality regulators, and have them serviced annually by a trained professional.

[Tegg]

I have a better idea. Buy quality regulators, and have them serviced annually by a trained professional.

I agree.

I figure that if this is really something that needs concern, surely someone would have expierenced a failure that needed this skill within the last 30yrs or so of cavediving...

[jason]

if you're diving sidemount (for real, not just to be showy) and get shell material or gravel under one of your diaghrams - your going to have a full tank of gas that is inaccessible. Now suppose you got stuck and drained the majority of your other tank while extricating yourself and you might be in a position where swapping regs underwater is looking a bit more like a good idea - no amount of regulator servicing is going to help prevent that situation....

[OFG-1]

I have a better idea. Buy quality regulators, and have them serviced annually by a trained professional.

You will never go far with this type of thinking. Do you mean that my 1978 version calypso IVs, my SAS sub 10, and my White Stag stage regs that I store in the trunk of my car are not adequate?

BTW, have you looked at the "trained professionals" in some of these dive shops lately?? Just remember, until recently Caver95 was one of these.

[Angie Reim]

Yep. I've had a few dives where something was stuck in a reg (tight nasty, got crap blown into it) or I had a free flow from a burst o-ring. I didn't have to switch the reg on the tanks but further from the exit, it might have become an option. I would've tried fluttering the tank valve first, etc.

I'm pretty sure that I would've been 'seeing stars' by the time I was through. On the other hand, in both cases I did have a buddy with me from whom I could've sipped some gas during the switch (Though I would've taken a sip from my wing first.)

In either case there would've been plenty of time to remove the defective 1st stage from the inaccessible tank, etc. while swimming out before making that switch.

I hope I never get in this situation for real. I hope no one does.

[Rich]

if you're diving sidemount (for real, not just to be showy) and get shell material or gravel under one of your diaghrams - your going to have a full tank of gas that is inaccessible. Now suppose you got stuck and drained the majority of your other tank while extricating yourself and you might be in a position where swapping regs underwater is looking a bit more like a good idea - no amount of regulator servicing is going to help prevent that situation....

Some long time sidemounters I know (who don't do it for show!) use an H-valve on one of their tanks with an extra pressurized reg attached, kinda eliminates the having to switch first stages deal.

Safe diving,

Rich

[Tegg]

if you're diving sidemount (for real, not just to be showy) and get shell material or gravel under one of your diaghrams - your going to have a full tank of gas that is inaccessible. Now suppose you got stuck and drained the majority of your other tank while extricating yourself and you might be in a position where swapping regs underwater is looking a bit more like a good idea - no amount of regulator servicing is going to help prevent that situation....

True but a little "MacGyver" work will help...

I use some high quality panty hose just under the cover of my Apeks 2nd stage. It seems to block out the sand/gravel/shells good enough, while allowing air to pass out just fine... It takes some practice to get it to stay good, but once you get it, its easy...

[lonestarfl]

If you have a regulator problem for whatever reason/malfunction without a backup plan or an underwater repair you will have a tank of gas that is essentially unavailable. This senario is not a "death sentence" since you should have managed your gas so that only one tank is required for a safe exit... a buddy can help if this is not a solo dive or one man tunnel. But in more extreme diving I prefer self rescue at all times and access to all my gas at all times. Exiting on just one bottle leaves no room for error or delay and will throw you WAY out of trim. An H valve with the extra regulator on one tank is cheap insurance.
As to the original question...has a regulator switch ever been required underwater on a dive? I have gone to the back up reg when the primary on the H valve started leaking water. Turned out to be a tear in the mouth piece. If it had been the primary on the Kvalve, I would have made the switch while still breathing a good regulator. So, it is only by chance that I did not have to do an underwater switch...but even then, it would not have been a breath holding situation. Think of your own diving experiences even on doubles. If you have ever had a problem with your primary regulator and gone to your back up you still had access to all your gas. Had you done this dive in sidemount, you would lose access to one complete cylinder unless at some point you do a regulator transfer.
Lee

[Angie Reim]

if you're diving sidemount (for real, not just to be showy) and get shell material or gravel under one of your diaghrams - your going to have a full tank of gas that is inaccessible. Now suppose you got stuck and drained the majority of your other tank while extricating yourself and you might be in a position where swapping regs underwater is looking a bit more like a good idea - no amount of regulator servicing is going to help prevent that situation....

Who would sidemount 'just to be showy'? It's a pain in the butt to switch to sidemount and takes longer to get into the water. Anyone I know that sidemounts does it for good reason. Pbtttttt! :P