Why Does My Regulator Breath Wet? - Scuba Tech Tips: S06E07

[@mvakkilainen]

I had a flooding regulator a few years ago. It started taking in water more and more. Back on land. I was worried it was broken the regulator but on inspection the mushroom valve i noticed the following. A small piece of sand had gotten between the mushroom valves edge and the case keeping the channel open. So always clean your regulator.

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

Gee Mika, that sounds like a good idea!! Surprising how many divers treat their regulator like their car tires - I'll fix it when it goes flat!! Good experience. Thanks for sharing. Alec

[@coordinatorsts.freereg2777]

Alec I believe that there is a third reason for water coming in whilst breathing - a mouthpiece with a hole in one of the parts of the mouthpiece that is outside of the mouth. I have certainly had this problem in the past. Just a tiny hole makes an uncomfortable dive. Michael

[@nathanparry8315]

I've had this problem before too. The mouthpiece split, not too badly but enough to be annoying. Fortunately it wasn't too bad and was towards the end of the dive so I swapped with the secondary, signaled the DM, did my safety stop and finished the dive.

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

That's a good point both of you. The mouthpiece usually will split right where it meets the regulator spigot, right at the tie wrap that secures it to the reg. It can be hard to see. You usually realize there's a problem when there's a problem! Fortunately it's not life threatening and easy to fix. Alec

[@guybeasley2593]

Hi Alec, I learn so much from you. I've had water in my regulator(s) for a long time. I finally figured out why it happened to me. Not the diaphragm, mushroom valve or mouthpiece. It was because I held the mouthpiece so loosely that when I turned my head the pressure from the hose pushed a small gap between my lips and the mouthpiece. Now anytime it happens I consciously hold it a bit more securely and have no leakage. I've also changed to the braided hoses to help. Maybe some other divers are like me, too.

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

That's not a common problem Guy but I know what you mean. Like you, I'm so relaxed underwater that I sometimes forget to hold the reg firmly. I recall once when I was laying face down on a ledge at 12' (actually degassing after a deep dive) on a warm summer day and I started to doze off. I woke up with a heck of a start when my reg slipped out of my mouth! The flex hoses should help. You could also try a molded mouthpiece that is fitted to your teeth so it's less likely to slip out. Good luck. Alec

[@AMalas]

@@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter that made me laugh so hard! When diving is such routine that your brain allows you to sleep! I assume you only slept for like 3 seconds or your dive buddy wouldve noticed

[@rynochef]

Alec, thanks for the video. You've been a blessing to my wife and I as we embark on the world of SCUBA diving. So much we want to learn and you've really helped us immerse ourselves in it. Pretty sure I've seen all of your videos including the very fascinating "Vintage Scuba" series. You've even inspired us to find and watch Sea Hunt...what a great show! I can see how a young person would've been influenced by the show and lead the life you have. Thanks again. Ryan

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

Thanks very much for your comments. If I've helped you even a little bit I'm very happy. Have fun. Alec

[@montypythonish]

Hi Alec, still loving the videos. The cerand wrap on the diaphragm tip was brilliant (excuse my spelling but in the UK we call it cling film). Really neat as you say ;-) Another reason for minor leakage on the demand valve, could possibly be a hole in the mouth piece. Keep up the good work. Dave

[@alaind831]

good video - recall my first rental reg would breath wet when upside down (so exhaust valve on top being faulty) but didn't mind because I recall often having dry-mouth while diving, so I can flip down to temporally get some moisture ! my new rig doesn't seem to do either.

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

Good idea - in fresh water! Alec

[@ivoryjohnson4662]

Would you mind covering dive planning in a future video?

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

We'll see what I can come up with Ivory. Dive Planning can vary so much depending on where you are, what you're doing, with whom, etc. When I started diving in 1958, I was only 12 years old and my dive planning pretty much consisted of finding someone to drive me to the lake! I didn't have any dive buddies and my gear was 1. mask 2. fins 3. tank 4. regulator, 5. knife - no BCD, no SPG or Safe Second, no computer, etc. But I had a great knife - 12" overall. Boy was I prepared!! Thanks for watching. Alec

[@alexandrerondeau]

Awesome tip again! Thanks

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

Thanks for watching. Alec

[@IM35461]

I have also seen the rubber on the mouthpiece body a tear where they attach to the regulator plus on safety stops on a rope in strong currents keeping the exhaust valve open (water flow over it).

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

Right. I didn't mention that possibility because that's pretty obvious (to you and me anyway). Some divers, and unfortunately some dive stores, don't check the mouthpiece carefully. In a strong current like that you'd best have your back to the current if possible. Thanks for watching. Alec

[@TheSmileyTek]

Had this happen on today's dive using rental gear. Finished the dive, but I'm going to suggest that the shop takes a look at that. No fun at 60ft on a final dive for certification. I was pretty irritated by it.. But, finally certified. Time to get my own quality gear. No more beat up old rental regs for me. 🤣

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

Owning your own gear makes diving really fun and easy. I have several videos on gear buying for new divers. Hope they help you. A

[@OnlyKaerius]

Yeah it's pretty common with rental regs. I've had it happen too. Thankfully I've got my own regulator now, so it's been a long time.

[@TheSmileyTek]

@@OnlyKaerius I ended up purchasing a Scubapro A700 BT Carbon.. Love it! And it looks so cool with the carbon fiber. I just went to the top of the stack on this purchase.

[@troop1026]

Great video as always my friend.

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

Thanks Mike. Alec

[@KernelFault]

Or, you could swap your primary with your secondary reg and get it fixed the first chance you get. (This is one of the reasons why I use the same secondary reg model.)

[@chadryther8710]

Alec, great video! I noticed today that a rental regulator I was using became hard to breath when I was upside down (tank down, belly up). Can you explain this?

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

Another viewer mentioned this same phenomena to me recently. It's an odd one because in theory it should be the other way around - easier to breath when lying on your back. My only suggestion was that the regulator, a rental in that case too, was not serviced recently. Otherwise it can only be the perception of being harder to breath because the water pressure on your body (lungs) is greater than on the second stage so it feels like you have to suck harder to get the reg to open. It would be as though someone was standing on your chest. Try breathing through a 36" long hose when lying on your back in a pool and you'll see what I mean. You can't get air into your lungs even if the hose is big. It's an odd feeling because it was so easy on the surface. Take care. Alec

[@alaind831]

topics: recommendation on places (tropical) to dive (what is your favorite place), coral bleaching issues (if you haven't seen 'Chasing Coral" on Netflix, a must see for any ocean lovers)

[@marks.5312]

Had that happen on my last dive. Got home and the first thing I did was try to suck in without being attached to a tank. I was able to get air so I had a leak. Turned out there was sand and misc grit under and around the exhaust valve. Cleaned it off sucked on it again . Air tight ,good to go.

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

Glad to be of help. It really is nice when you know what's going on inside huh? Alec

[@Thiione]

Hi Alec. Loving your videos! What are your thoughts on diving alone? I would love to see a video on it.

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

When I started diving in the 60's there weren't many divers around - certainly not in my little town in Ontario, Canada. So I dove alone. I didn't plan to dive alone or take a course on diving alone (Solo Diving). I just didn't have a buddy. I was particularly careful to not get into a situation where a buddy would be necessary. I guess that's what they teach you in a Solo Diver course. If you're capable and prepared and the dive circumstances will accommodate it, there's no reason why not. Alec

[@OverlandTT]

Good video as always 😊

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

Thanks Peter. Alec

[@sabassabido]

Or the actual mouthpiece has a hole or some o'rings need to be replaced, as i found after trying everything else before, the o'ring on an airflow valve was worn.

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

Yep. It can be one of several things or even several of several things if the reg hasn't been serviced for a while. Alec

[@rogerheuckeroth7456]

Yes, for me it was a crack in the mouthpiece when it happened on vacation in Cozumel.

[@sabassabido]

That's where i live... Paradise on earth :D

[@rogerheuckeroth7456]

sabassabido - Yes, it is! Lucky you! Been there twice in the last two years.

[@chiranagheorghitaeugeniuth98]

Good vid Alec....

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

Thanks for watching. Alec

[@Slick85]

As a DM candidate I've been sitting in on multiple open water classes, is it necessary to crack the purge valve as you open the tank? Either my OW instructor didn't teach me that or it wasn't a thing a few years ago.

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

I can't think of any reason why you'd do that Slick. Any overpressurization would simply flow past the second stage valve anyway. Some regulators, Poseidon and Oceanic Omega for example, do release a short blast of air when turned on but that's normal and no problem. Perhaps it's just their way of ensuring the second stage is working. I'd prefer they actually try it in their mouth so they use both the diaphragm AND the exhaust which commonly sticks if not used for a while. As far as I know it's not a common practice. I don't believe it's recommended anywhere. Alec

[@bengarcia9612]

What if it only happens when im upside down and it doesn’t “spray” into my mouth it just comes in and you can physically swallow it

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

If it only leaks when you are upside down, it's the exhaust valve. Just change that and the problem will go away. Maybe I need a Tech Tip to explain why. Alec

[@bengarcia9612]

Alec Peirce Scuba ah thanks Alec for the reply, i read somewhere that any regulator will do it when upside down unless it’s a side exhaust reg, still not sure about it

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

Nope. A good exhaust valve will not leak - upside down or not. A side exhaust (Oceanic, Poseidon, etc) will also leak but only when turned sideways. Same principle. It has to do with the pressure on the exhaust valve. If you are upright, water pressure helps to keep the valve closed. The water pressure is greater on the exhaust than on the mouthpiece. So it will seal even if it's not a perfect valve. When you're upside down, the water pressure is less on the exhaust valve than on the mouthpiece and if the valve is not clean and solid, it will leak. There, I just gave away the entire video on "why my reg leaks water?". Just for you Ben. Alec

[@daniellim5312]

Hi Alec, is it normal for the 2nd stage to make this flapping noise while drawing breath on the surface?

[@sabassabido]

It is because it is dry.

[@pricediver]

so I just sucked on my octopus to check if there is a leak when the tank is off and I can get a little air :( I thought my diaphragm is broken so I opened the reg up but nothing seems wrong. I finally noticed that is because of my LP pressure hose has no cap on it, scared me lol

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

Interesting observation - and true. If your reg is mounted properly and air NOT Turned on, there should be no air movement when you suck on a 2nd stage. However., a tiny bit of air can enter through the LP hose. The Schrader valve at the end of the hose will dislodge from its seat and move inward allowing some air to enter. You must have very strong lungs PD! Alec

[@Mike.4639]

Hi Alec, question for you: Why does my regulator breath DRY ?

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

Not sure what you mean by dry. Scuba air has almost zero moisture in it and the regulator adds a tiny amount of moisture from your breathing. Dry mouth is the common complaint of divers. Drink water before and after each dive keeps you hydrated to minimize dry mouth. Hope this helps. A

[@Mike.4639]

@@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter , Hi Alec, well aware of what you have said, so um going to add a bit extra information. Breathing through the octopus the gas comes smooth, breathing through the second stage can tell the diference, much more dry and " rough". Changed the mouthpiece, with bridge, without bridge, no Change. I rull out this is something in first stage because breathing through the octopus is fine. Im guessing this is somehow related to the fact i have donne many dives with nitrox. May have caused some minor damage in some oring or membrane in scond stage. Or maybe in the hose? Any guess? Meanwhile i have opened the second stage and gave it a good clean, its a Scubapro C300. Havent tested it yet.

[@chengzhiwu7052]

Sometimes I take out my regulator and take some of the sea water to prevent it from getting too dry

[@karlmarx7450]

Wow, as always, very informative, extremelly helpful and perfectly entertaining.I usually get pebbles, sand and debris under the mushroom valve and have to clean a bit between the valve and its seat. Thanks a million.

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

You need to start diving in cleaner water Karl! Take care. Alec

[@katelyngrace5689]

Yea, had a ripped mouthpiece once and it leaked.

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

Not fun is it? Many dive shops neglect to carefully check the mouthpiece when servicing your reg. They are so concerned about the mechanical stuff that they forget the small things that can ruin a dive. Take care. Alec

[@HellrazorDogsnDives]

Do you mean breathe?

[@HellrazorDogsnDives]

I'm a big fan, jst saying.. reg "breathes" wet... Breath is a noun not a verb 😛😛😛

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

I'm not sure what I said. My mind is usually several words ahead of my mouth, although my wife says I speak without thinking sometimes. You are right though. A breath is what you get when you breathe. Thanks. Alec

[@ahmedsamy8406]

I experienced that last week with a shitty rental gear

[@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter]

Hope this helped fix it. Maybe time together your own gear? A