cuff dump on right arm?

[gazfrost]

I have just been given a dry suit and have noticed that the cuff dump is on the right arm. Is this a problem ?can it be blanked off and a dump put on left? :) advice please.

[DarrenA]

It will work just the same but others will expect it to be on the left so it could be an issue I guess for an assisted ascent but its just what you are used to and your buddy.

Left makes tons of sense at it is the same side as your BC/Wing dump so muscle memory wise you automatically think left for dumping.

You can tape it over with a bit of gaffer tape and get another one put on the left arm for a few quid I expect or consider an autodump on the left shoulder.

hth

Darren

[large-ugly-greeny]

i run mine on my right cuff as i preferred being able to control my suit and my wing separately just make sure that your buddy(s) are aware that holding your right arm up won't dump and it should be fine
if you do want to blank it of then that easily done im sure there is a full run through of how to do it on the forum some were :)

[northern_diver]

As your considering new dumps, have you looked at the Pro/con's of a Auto/Shoulder dump? Might find after researching them/the usage of, that the subject of right/left cuff dumps become redundant.

Simple facts of the matter been that if you follow BAR for your buddy checks (BSAC staple, i confess to not be au fait with other agencies methods but all are comparable i would imagine) then B-Bouyancy will cover Suit inflate and deflate (along with wing/BCD inflate/deflates).

On some more switched on Buddy checks, you could even tell your buddy that your auto dump is only half open etc, so they will have to fully open for a CBL...this shouldnt be a problem as most seasoned/trained divers will open this on a lift preparation anyway...but thats why we do Buddy checks isnt it. I confess also to rarely saying the latter as its mainly redundant.

But i feel its important to highlight the suits dumping methods. Especially so if your not going to remove the dump, just deactivate it, can lead to confusion, if not prior informed.

I say this irrespective of my own taste in dump and admit i have not used a cuff dump.

John

[Tony Dwyer]

You can tape it over with a bit of gaffer tape and get another one put on the left arm for a few quid I expect or consider an autodump on the left shoulder.

Darren

While gaffer tape is amazingly useful stuff, it is not appropriate for a permanent modification of a dry suit.

If you really want to blank off the cuff dump, get it done properly. If you can't do it yourself, go see your local friendly dive shop.

Personally, I wouldn't bother. Unless you want to fit an auto shoulder dump, which might be a good idea.

[seadeuce]

Consider leaving it where it is and adding an auto dump to the left shoulder.
Have dived that way for years as it gives more options where a rescue is concerned - covers the "left" for the rescuer of me, and I can control my buoyancy as well as my buddy's, using right hand side only.

If one dump gets clogged I have redundancy available, and, no, I'm not into DIR philosophy in a big way.

It is a personal choice at the end of the day.


Seadeuce

[Fishy49]

If you find it comfortable to have on your right arm, then I would either leave it as it is, or consider an auto-dump and have it blanked. I learned in a drysuit with a cuff dump, which I didn't really like. Now in my suit I just have an auto dump which takes a bit of getting used to but once you do it's far better in my opinion to a cuff dump.

No matter what you do, as already said, just make your buddy aware of your setup in the buddy check.

Safe diving. James.

[DarrenM]

Is the suit from Slaters in Preston?

He teaches all his students to use the dump on the right arm and sells suits accordingly.

[gazfrost]

Is the suit from Slaters in Preston?

He teaches all his students to use the dump on the right arm and sells suits accordingly.
Yes it is from slaters in preston.

[Mike Halligan]

Yes it is from slaters in preston.

Try wearing your computer on your left arm and use the cuff dump you have. If it becomes unbearable, then spend money on a LH shoulder autodump, but get a good one. If you become used to it, spend what you've saved on something useful.

[northern_diver]

then spend money on a LH shoulder autodump, but get a good one

APEKs any day, good make, well regarded.

Personally i have a LH autodump and my computer on the LH also, if i need to lift a casualty, then i can monitor my computer for depth/ascent rate while using my free RH to control the casualty's dumps. I'll be holding firm with my LH. Horses for courses however and i would suggest try dives with mates gear to see what works for you.

John

[Mike Halligan]

APEKs any day, good make, well regarded.

Personally i have a LH autodump and my computer on the LH also, if i need to lift a casualty, then i can monitor my computer for depth/ascent rate while using my free RH to control the casualty's dumps. I'll be holding firm with my LH. Horses for courses however and i would suggest try dives with mates gear to see what works for you.

John

If I've to lift a casualty, then I try / shall try to keep behind the tiniest bubble, stuff the computer!

If I'm demo-ing or observing, then the computer's in my line of sight but in truth it is rarely seen.

[northern_diver]

If I've to lift a casualty, then I try / shall try to keep behind the tiniest bubble, stuff the computer!

If I'm demo-ing or observing, then the computer's in my line of sight but in truth it is rarely seen.

That works, slowest bubble acsent rate. Its another method that should be known for the user to implement, if the situation requires. Computers are a common system, but fail, so a non equipment option is a good fallback.

John

[ChristianG]

That works, slowest bubble acsent rate.
Nope. That's about as good as those, kind of, ping pong balls marketed some twenty-odd years ago for much the same purpose.

In a pool training environment I'd, sort of, agree. Never in the real world.

[northern_diver]

Its more a best estimate and while far from 'accurate', used to be taught as far as i'm aware, to stay behinde the slowest/smallest bubble.

Not my personal choice, prefer the ascent rate, mini table and watch, but hey ho, do what you can in the situation presented to you, wuth the tools on offer.

I'd 'love' to see someone try doing that in a emergency, "wait up mate, i'm
looking at this little table first":)

If i had lost the use of my computer, through breakages or actually losing the thing, and didnt have a set of mini tables and a watch and want to ascent, then i'd used slowest bubble....for no deco. Otherwise i'd probably just do a slow and stuttered ascent, stopping at relevent depth for a educated guess deco stop.

What, Christian, would you suggest as an alternative? Remember, you dont have a computer and dont have a mini-tables set/watch.

John

[Nigel Hewitt]

What, Christian, would you suggest as an alternative? Remember, you dont have a computer and dont have a mini-tables set/watch.
Blob+Reel, backup blob+reel.
Computer, backup computer.

Ascent rate? If the silt isn't moving past my mask I must be holding a stop.

Actually one of the most edgy things I've done diving is the 'green water ascent'. No line, no reel and no vis. Just me, a rebreather, a computer or two and lots of stops to do.

[northern_diver]

I dont have the resources to have the extra kit (extra computer, 150ish and a extra reel+blob, 60ish) and as usual, the requirements and expections of the more technical member add a different scope to the conversation.

I wouldnt be suprised if most members only dived 1 computer and 1 reel+blob set, if that sometimes.

Anyway, your not allowed a computer and your not Christian:p

[ChristianG]

I dont have the resources to have the extra kit (extra computer, 150ish and a extra reel+blob, 60ish) and as usual, the requirements and expections of the more technical member add a different scope to the conversation.

I wouldnt be suprised if most members only dived 1 computer and 1 reel+blob set, if that sometimes.

Anyway, your not allowed a computer and your not Christian:p
Huh? Quite simply I don't understand any of the above which, I guess, is easy enough.

[northern_diver]

I havent the cash to buy another computer, while this 1 is fully operational...i have mini-tables and a watch for that.

I have a secondary reel+blob, but rarely pack the spare blob...but i do carry a spare reel most dives.

The requirements of a 35 and shallower air (maybe some nitrox) 'averge' diver, the ones that make the majority, dont have the same sort of equipement requirements as a 100 metre trimix/ rebreather diver. As such, most divers cant just pull out another computer...horses for course

Nigles responce, in stead of picking out a alternative manner of ascent rate monitoring, was to fail back on a back up computer. Thats fine, but not really a responce, working on the principal that most divers dont have a back up computer sitting on there arm. However, its a suitable back up for some divers.

Comes down to the question of just how much kit you gonna buy and take on a dive, before you a) are packing massive amount too much b) are broke c) have failed to enjoy the dive, because your too busy with excess gear.

clearer?

John

[ChristianG]

What, Christian, would you suggest as an alternative? Remember, you dont have a computer and dont have a mini-tables set/watch.
That's actually an easy one:

a) I have a dive plan, I've actually worked out what I want to do on the surface.
b) Anyone that doesn't have electronic back-up, anyone at all, deserves to die. That may sound callous but so be it, electronic instruments have a sad habit of being overwhelmed by the underwater environment.
c) Unless you're a complete moron you simply wouldn't dive without a "mini-tables set/watch".

[northern_diver]

Most people work out a plan of some sorts (as detailed as they/the conditions allow/want) on the surface, no credit there.

Back ups are good, but draw a line somewhere before we become a dive shop underwater.

Its good to have the table back ups, im glad we are in agreement.

John

[Mike Halligan]

Nope. That's about as good as those, kind of, ping pong balls marketed some twenty-odd years ago for much the same purpose.

In a pool training environment I'd, sort of, agree. Never in the real world.

You might think that, but in no-stop diving or where compromised with a serious casualty, this has to be considered. I stand by my assertion that in my own experience following the tiniest bubble is more reliable than doubtful visibility of a computer screen and reliance on sampling rates which may be limited.

Where you're into heavy deco obligations everything changes and serious decisions have to be made as to what/whom to compromise. Writing off my entire experience as not in the real world is perhaps harsh, I fear. ;)