The dumbest question ever asked on the CDF.

[Cave Ranger]

I've sort of taking a liking to using bicycle innertube rings to attach clips to LP and HP hoses rather than using the cave line tie-off with the lighter melt on the square knot method.
I still use the cave line to attach clips to lights and so forth but the innertube material sure keeps those clips snug on the hoses and unlike the cave line they don't loosen, unravel, and slide up and down on the hoses like Jenna Jameson on.........er....."assignment".
I got the idea from observing other tech/cave divers equipment config but the problem I'm having is that it only takes about a day in the sun and the innertube material rots, becomes brittle and has to be replaced. Is some innertube material better or more durable than others? Does "Armor All" make them last longer? Is there any tube material on the market that is resistent to UV rays?
Am I the only numbnuts that likes to use innertube material for this purpose?

[Oceanus]

Rather than inner tube, consider large O-rings which seem a bit more durable in my experience yet still have high friction grip

(Jenna Jameson.... giggidy)

[andrebasso]

I use multiple inner tube rings to wrap the length of my back up lights - it provides a ribbed surface that prevents the lights from slipping away and gives a good tactile feel of what I'm holding. (VERY useful if you wear gloves OR if don't wear gloves but lose sensitivity in your hands on long dives.)

Anyway, I've had my two back up lights wrapped in the same innertube for 2 years - never any rotting or cracking yet, is it possible that you just started out with a bad bicycle innertube to begin with?

I would just go to a bike store and ask for a high performance inner tube (ie, durable and expensive) Also, it's probably not wise to use any type of coating or oil on the inner tube - that probably just eats away at the rubber over time - you know what they say about certain lubes, you never use them on "rubbers."

[fweber]

I would just go to a bike store and ask for a high performance inner tube (ie, durable and expensive)

As an avid cyclist as well, I can inform you that High Performance and Durable do not co-exist in the world of bicycle innertubes. I actually go for the heaviest tubes they have, which are usually the cheapest. To such an extent that I don't use my own flated racing tubes, because they're just to thin and fragile. And instead, purchase, cough, cough, new but cheap and heavy tubes for cutting up into loops.

[Jim Wyatt]

I've had my two back up lights wrapped in the same innertube for 2 years - never any rotting or cracking yet...

Ditto

[Rich]

I've sort of taking a liking to using bicycle innertube rings to attach clips to LP and HP hoses rather than using the cave line tie-off with the lighter melt on the square knot method.
I still use the cave line to attach clips to lights and so forth but the innertube material sure keeps those clips snug on the hoses and unlike the cave line they don't loosen, unravel, and slide up and down on the hoses like Jenna Jameson on.........er....."assignment".
I got the idea from observing other tech/cave divers equipment config but the problem I'm having is that it only takes about a day in the sun and the innertube material rots, becomes brittle and has to be replaced. Is some innertube material better or more durable than others? Does "Armor All" make them last longer? Is there any tube material on the market that is resistent to UV rays?
Am I the only numbnuts that likes to use innertube material for this purpose?

Hi Merle!

I used to use inner tube and had the same problems you're having. About 3 years ago, I noticed that Dive Rite makes shoulder pads for a harness and I've found that this material when cut up into pieces about an inch and a half long does a great job of holding back up lights etc in place.

It's also flexible, which makes it real easy to free the lights and also to stow the lights. If you're ever up at East again, I'll show you exactly what I'm talking about and BTW congrats on your recent cert....

Safe diving,

Rich

[Cave Ranger]

I've sort of taking a liking to using bicycle innertube rings to attach clips to LP and HP hoses rather than using the cave line tie-off with the lighter melt on the square knot method.
I still use the cave line to attach clips to lights and so forth but the innertube material sure keeps those clips snug on the hoses and unlike the cave line they don't loosen, unravel, and slide up and down on the hoses like Jenna Jameson on.........er....."assignment".
I got the idea from observing other tech/cave divers equipment config but the problem I'm having is that it only takes about a day in the sun and the innertube material rots, becomes brittle and has to be replaced. Is some innertube material better or more durable than others? Does "Armor All" make them last longer? Is there any tube material on the market that is resistent to UV rays?
Am I the only numbnuts that likes to use innertube material for this purpose?

Hi Merle!

I used to use inner tube and had the same problems you're having. About 3 years ago, I noticed that Dive Rite makes shoulder pads for a harness and I've found that this material when cut ip into pieces about an inch and a half long does a great job of holding back up lights etc in place.

It's also flexible, which makes it real easy to free the lights and also to stow the lights. If you're ever up at East again, I'll show you exactly what I'm talking about and BTW congrats on your recent cert....

Safe diving,

Rich

Thanks Rich and thanks everybody.
I'm thinking that the innertube material that Mac's bike shop gives me for free is probably already on it's way out. Either that or unlike Andre and Jim, I have corrosive sweat or maybe it's my breath
After your suggestion I realized that I had a spare Dive Rite crotch strap with that neoprene padding material and have used it as you described. That seems to be a winner.
What do you mean "IF" I'm ever up at East again? I've got a lot of diving and learning to do. I wish I lived closer because at the rate I'm going I'll look like this before I'm eligible for an Abe Davis award. I'll be back though.