Clearing the loop with a FFM or Gag

Mark Chase · 9th April 2006, 18:43

Ok as the title said how do you go about clearing fluid in the loop on a FFM or with a gaged mouthpiece? I like the idea of a gag especially with a BOV unit but this question suddenly popped into my head.

Also as an aside the gag for the Dolphin unit looked interesting but the site is all in German?? Is there an English version?

ATB

Mark Chase

***caveseeker7*** · 9th April 2006, 19:03

Quote: (Originally Posted by Mark Chase)

Ok as the title said how do you go about clearing fluid in the loop on a FFM ...

With the drain valves that proberly designed rebreathers and masks have.

Quote:

... or with a gaged mouthpiece?

There is a reason they call it "suicide strap" (LAR's without OPV

)

**nigelh** · 9th April 2006, 19:40

Quote: (Originally Posted by Mark Chase)

Ok as the title said how do you go about clearing fluid in the loop on a FFM or with a gaged mouthpiece? I like the idea of a gag especially with a BOV unit but this question suddenly popped into my head.

I was using a FFM on an archaeological project for the comms and it decided it was going to leak big time. No amount of reseating would help so it was face down and purge to breath and no comms. It was a panicky ascent with no time to put my fins back on (working an airlift on a scaffolding frame). That's the point when I decided I didn't really like them. I'll stick to the real helmet for comms or something in my mouth please. I just suspect that I don't have the right shaped head.

RAL · 9th April 2006, 20:30

Quote: (Originally Posted by nigelh)

I was using a FFM on an archaeological project for the comms and it decided it was going to leak big time. No amount of reseating would help so it was face down and purge to breath and no comms. It was a panicky ascent with no time to put my fins back on (working an airlift on a scaffolding frame). That's the point when I decided I didn't really like them. I'll stick to the real helmet for comms or something in my mouth please. I just suspect that I don't have the right shaped head.

Nigel have you adapted your DSV to a superlite?

Roger

**nigelh** · 9th April 2006, 21:52

Quote: (Originally Posted by RAL)

Nigel have you adapted your DSV to a superlite?

Naaah
It may be heresy to admit it here but surface supply on a hard hat beats a rebreather any day, even if you do get used as an ROV if they spot something interesting on camera. The last system I was on the bank would still run two of us at depth for 8 hours if they had to shut off the compressor.

We will have to wait for the FFM on CCR users to coment on clearing it. My unhappy experience was OC, however having masses of gas to play with was what solved the problem.

***caveseeker7*** · 9th April 2006, 23:51

The correct fit is absolutely mandatory when using an FFM.

Nigel, sounds like you need to switch to one of the original YBODs.
They came with Aquadyne helmets.

Drmike · 10th April 2006, 03:20

Quote: (Originally Posted by Mark Chase)

Ok as the title said how do you go about clearing fluid in the loop on a FFM or with a gaged mouthpiece? I like the idea of a gag especially with a BOV unit but this question suddenly popped into my head.

Also as an aside the gag for the Dolphin unit looked interesting but the site is all in German?? Is there an English version?

ATB

Mark Chase

I have found the purge valves to be a complete waste of time on my FFM. When I first started diving it I would tip my head to one side as instructed, push the purge and blow.......nothing. The mask was still full of water.

It took me a while to reaslise why.

With the DSV open no matter how hard you blow youve got ambient pressure in the FFM so it doesnt push the water out

So the first thing I learnt was to pinch the exhale hose closed with one hand whilst pressing the purge. That worked but workinmg the purge was still a bit fiddly especially with gloves.

So now what I do is a bit like normal mask clearing. My left hand (right in your case) pinches closed the exhale hose whilst my other hand pulls the bottom of the FFM off my chin just breaking the seal as I exhale through my nose - pushing gas down and the water out. If the water level in the mask is below the mouthbite I instead sometimes blow air out from around the mouthbite. Doing it this way clears the mask faster and gets more water out than the purge buttom seeing as the lowest part of the mask is at the absolute bottom. - Think of it just like clearing a normal mask only you pinch the exhale hose closed first.

Now I have no idea how I am going to do it on Boris with cooper hoses.

Probaly I will have to do it the other way - turn BOV to OC one hand pulls the mask a little off the chin whilst I purge the BOV OC reg.

Drmike · 10th April 2006, 03:23

Quote: (Originally Posted by nigelh)

I was using a FFM on an archaeological project for the comms and it decided it was going to leak big time. No amount of reseating would help so it was face down and purge to breath and no comms. It was a panicky ascent with no time to put my fins back on (working an airlift on a scaffolding frame). That's the point when I decided I didn't really like them. I'll stick to the real helmet for comms or something in my mouth please. I just suspect that I don't have the right shaped head.

Of course any FFM used with a Rebreather would have an internal mouthbite so no matter how flooded the mask got you would always be able to breathe.

rocketron · 11th April 2006, 16:59

Quote: (Originally Posted by Mark Chase)

Ok as the title said how do you go about clearing fluid in the loop on a FFM or with a gaged mouthpiece? I like the idea of a gag especially with a BOV unit but this question suddenly popped into my head.

Also as an aside the gag for the Dolphin unit looked interesting but the site is all in German?? Is there an English version?

ATB

Mark Chase

Hi ap do a gag part No RB02/12 £ 56.64 in there 2006 price list

get my ybod july ta ta 4 now rocketron

Mdemon · 11th April 2006, 17:48

Quote: (Originally Posted by Drmike)

Of course any FFM used with a Rebreather would have an internal mouthbite so no matter how flooded the mask got you would always be able to breathe.

I've used two FFM which didn't.

To clear the AGA/Inspo conversion, I would operate the BOV and purge the reg. Breathing out hard also did the trick for small amounts. Because of the way it was made, the inside on CC always remained very dry.

To clear the Draeger/S10 (OC, now I think about it), I'd breathe out hard, face down, then breathe gas through the water in the mask, then breathe out hard again until it was clear. Was useful keeping a reg handy while doing this one...

PITA whichever way you look at it...

9th April 2006, 18:43	#1 (permalink)
Mark Chase I go down for ages Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Kent Posts: 2,693	Clearing the loop with a FFM or Gag Ok as the title said how do you go about clearing fluid in the loop on a FFM or with a gaged mouthpiece? I like the idea of a gag especially with a BOV unit but this question suddenly popped into my head. Also as an aside the gag for the Dolphin unit looked interesting but the site is all in German?? Is there an English version? ATB Mark Chase __________________ Is it supposed to make that noise ? I took my unit to the dive shop and demanded they bolt on every thing that would fit. Join my elite diving teem and get a Tshirt "Doing It Chasey"Hammerhead Eccr Advanced Diving System
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9th April 2006, 19:03	#2 (permalink)
*caveseeker7* Who loves ya, baby Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Too far from Neverland Posts: 5,496	Re: Clearing the loop with a FFM or Gag Quote: (Originally Posted by Mark Chase) Ok as the title said how do you go about clearing fluid in the loop on a FFM ... With the drain valves that proberly designed rebreathers and masks have. Quote: ... or with a gaged mouthpiece? There is a reason they call it "suicide strap" (LAR's without OPV ) __________________ Cheers Stefan "Political Correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end.!"
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9th April 2006, 19:40	#3 (permalink)
nigelh New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other CCR Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Brighton, Sussex, UK Posts: 835	Re: Clearing the loop with a FFM or Gag Quote: (Originally Posted by Mark Chase) Ok as the title said how do you go about clearing fluid in the loop on a FFM or with a gaged mouthpiece? I like the idea of a gag especially with a BOV unit but this question suddenly popped into my head. I was using a FFM on an archaeological project for the comms and it decided it was going to leak big time. No amount of reseating would help so it was face down and purge to breath and no comms. It was a panicky ascent with no time to put my fins back on (working an airlift on a scaffolding frame). That's the point when I decided I didn't really like them. I'll stick to the real helmet for comms or something in my mouth please. I just suspect that I don't have the right shaped head. __________________ nigelh
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9th April 2006, 20:30	#4 (permalink)
RAL Longbottom Time Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: North Florida Posts: 389	Re: Clearing the loop with a FFM or Gag Quote: (Originally Posted by nigelh) I was using a FFM on an archaeological project for the comms and it decided it was going to leak big time. No amount of reseating would help so it was face down and purge to breath and no comms. It was a panicky ascent with no time to put my fins back on (working an airlift on a scaffolding frame). That's the point when I decided I didn't really like them. I'll stick to the real helmet for comms or something in my mouth please. I just suspect that I don't have the right shaped head. Nigel have you adapted your DSV to a superlite? Roger
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9th April 2006, 21:52	#5 (permalink)
nigelh New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other CCR Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Brighton, Sussex, UK Posts: 835	Re: Clearing the loop with a FFM or Gag Quote: (Originally Posted by RAL) Nigel have you adapted your DSV to a superlite? Naaah It may be heresy to admit it here but surface supply on a hard hat beats a rebreather any day, even if you do get used as an ROV if they spot something interesting on camera. The last system I was on the bank would still run two of us at depth for 8 hours if they had to shut off the compressor. We will have to wait for the FFM on CCR users to coment on clearing it. My unhappy experience was OC, however having masses of gas to play with was what solved the problem. __________________ nigelh
(Online)

10th April 2006, 03:20	#7 (permalink)
Drmike Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: MK 15.X Ouroboros Other CCR Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other CCR Home Build Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 3,300	Re: Clearing the loop with a FFM or Gag Quote: (Originally Posted by Mark Chase) Ok as the title said how do you go about clearing fluid in the loop on a FFM or with a gaged mouthpiece? I like the idea of a gag especially with a BOV unit but this question suddenly popped into my head. Also as an aside the gag for the Dolphin unit looked interesting but the site is all in German?? Is there an English version? ATB Mark Chase I have found the purge valves to be a complete waste of time on my FFM. When I first started diving it I would tip my head to one side as instructed, push the purge and blow.......nothing. The mask was still full of water. It took me a while to reaslise why. With the DSV open no matter how hard you blow youve got ambient pressure in the FFM so it doesnt push the water out So the first thing I learnt was to pinch the exhale hose closed with one hand whilst pressing the purge. That worked but workinmg the purge was still a bit fiddly especially with gloves. So now what I do is a bit like normal mask clearing. My left hand (right in your case) pinches closed the exhale hose whilst my other hand pulls the bottom of the FFM off my chin just breaking the seal as I exhale through my nose - pushing gas down and the water out. If the water level in the mask is below the mouthbite I instead sometimes blow air out from around the mouthbite. Doing it this way clears the mask faster and gets more water out than the purge buttom seeing as the lowest part of the mask is at the absolute bottom. - Think of it just like clearing a normal mask only you pinch the exhale hose closed first. Now I have no idea how I am going to do it on Boris with cooper hoses. Probaly I will have to do it the other way - turn BOV to OC one hand pulls the mask a little off the chin whilst I purge the BOV OC reg. __________________ Cave diving is a sport Wreck diving is a sport Diving in general is a sport 'Rebreather diving' is not a sport its the delusional obsession with a highly dangerous and often inappropriate piece of equipment Last edited by Drmike : 10th April 2006 at 03:25.
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10th April 2006, 03:23	#8 (permalink)
Drmike Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: MK 15.X Ouroboros Other CCR Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other CCR Home Build Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 3,300	Re: Clearing the loop with a FFM or Gag Quote: (Originally Posted by nigelh) I was using a FFM on an archaeological project for the comms and it decided it was going to leak big time. No amount of reseating would help so it was face down and purge to breath and no comms. It was a panicky ascent with no time to put my fins back on (working an airlift on a scaffolding frame). That's the point when I decided I didn't really like them. I'll stick to the real helmet for comms or something in my mouth please. I just suspect that I don't have the right shaped head. Of course any FFM used with a Rebreather would have an internal mouthbite so no matter how flooded the mask got you would always be able to breathe. __________________ Cave diving is a sport Wreck diving is a sport Diving in general is a sport 'Rebreather diving' is not a sport its the delusional obsession with a highly dangerous and often inappropriate piece of equipment
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11th April 2006, 16:59	#9 (permalink)
rocketron New Member Current Rebreather/s: Evolution Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Brighton Posts: 13	Re: Clearing the loop with a FFM or Gag Quote: (Originally Posted by Mark Chase) Ok as the title said how do you go about clearing fluid in the loop on a FFM or with a gaged mouthpiece? I like the idea of a gag especially with a BOV unit but this question suddenly popped into my head. Also as an aside the gag for the Dolphin unit looked interesting but the site is all in German?? Is there an English version? ATB Mark Chase Hi ap do a gag part No RB02/12 £ 56.64 in there 2006 price list get my ybod july ta ta 4 now rocketron
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11th April 2006, 17:48	#10 (permalink)
Mdemon SiegeEngine II Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Home Build Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: SWUK Posts: 1,931	Re: Clearing the loop with a FFM or Gag Quote: (Originally Posted by Drmike) Of course any FFM used with a Rebreather would have an internal mouthbite so no matter how flooded the mask got you would always be able to breathe. I've used two FFM which didn't. To clear the AGA/Inspo conversion, I would operate the BOV and purge the reg. Breathing out hard also did the trick for small amounts. Because of the way it was made, the inside on CC always remained very dry. To clear the Draeger/S10 (OC, now I think about it), I'd breathe out hard, face down, then breathe gas through the water in the mask, then breathe out hard again until it was clear. Was useful keeping a reg handy while doing this one... PITA whichever way you look at it... __________________ www.southwestmafia.com "small minds talk about people, Average Minds Talk About Events, GREAT MINDS TALK ABOUT IDEAS!" The WRONG Attitude will get you killed. "Once the agenda-monkeys and perfect-worlders have moved on, perhaps we can do some diving?"
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