Quote: (Originally Posted by
Drmike)
The reason I dont use a BOV on my Nova and prefer a side OC reg is that:-
1) For bailout/sanity breath I dont have to do anything more than breathe thru my nose to get instant OC gas
2) I dont have to stop breathing whilst bailing off the loop and locating my OC bail gas 2nd stages and plugging them in and turning on the gas. The ability to always breathe is a major stress reducer when bailing, or is just more pleasant when doing things like clearing hose gurgles.
3) When running semiclosed dont have to manually inject gas just have to take a breath thru the nose
4) WOB from the side mounted APEKS is FAR supperior to the BOV 2nd stages Ive used/own
5) when adding dil to loop just have to take a breath thru the nose
Anyone who tells you the side reg gets in the way or is even noticeable underwater hasnt used one.
Hey Mike. I have just ordered my FFM and a Golem BOV as well. Whilst I coped with the M48 I couldn't equalise with dry gloves so no good to me. Obviously you have got the mask working well for you with the side reg and i can certainly see some advantages in doing it like that. But I worry about CO2 build up in the mask if you go to bailout. The company advises against your approach for this reason. Presumably all has been well while breathing off the reg for a short period...but have you tried it for a more prolonged period say 15mins? Any problems or a sense that CO2 was building up?
Also you dont want to be nose breathing when you have a CO2 hit (assuming that's the reason you have bailed).
Cheers
Harry