Quote: (Originally Posted by
Dave Sutton)
Not if they are (1): Well designed and (2): Correctly maintained.
I'll re-recite my mantra:
Dive well designed and correctly maintained gear and it'll be trouble free.
Come on Dave, you cannot guarantee that an ADV will never fail. Think about a week long dive trip with limited cleaning possibilities. Salt can easily prevent a valve from fully closing.
Quote: (Originally Posted by
Dave Sutton)
There's a huge difference between the *ability* to shut off an ADV and the *routine procedure* of shutting one off. We all have a diluent valve we can use to deal with an unexpected problem, and many have the ability to add an isolator. I just am troubled by the routine use of same.
I like the APD solution. The ADV is sensitive, hence breathes easily. I use it when I need it (during descend) and it shut it off when I don't need it (bottom part, during ascend). Easy.
I know that on the standard rEvo, the only way to isolate the ADV is closing the diluent tank. But that also means that you need to operate your diluent manually by opening and closing the tank. I personally find the ADV + shutt-off valve a more elegant solution. And certainly not, like you implied, a flawed design.
PC