New Method of Rigging your Backup Regulator
by Fabricio Rosas Tariki frtariki@originet.com.br
Do you find it hard to reach for your backup regulator with no hands?? I did, and then I came with a simple method to keep the backup reg permamently attached to the necklace and to keep its mouthpiece always pointing up. No more trying to grab your reg like a retard with a disfunctional jaw!!
Materials
1. 80 cm (31,5 in) of black surgical tubing
2. Two zip ties (large)
3. 100 cm (39 in) of cave #24 line
As I started diving doubles in Hogarth fashion, I realized that I could not easily grab the backup reg with my mouth. Analizing the problem, I discovered that the main problem was that, no matter what, the mouthpiece was always pointing downward. So I figured that by keeping its mouthpiece always pointing upward, the problem would be over. And so it did!!
You have to make a necklace with the surgical tubing and the zip ties. I guess everybody know how to do it, no big deal, huh? Then, take a piece of cave line (braided nylon twine #24) and make a loop passing inside the exaust tee (fig.1). In the Scubapro line of regulators, you can acess the exaust valve by taking part of the reg tee off (fig.2). It's easier to knot. As the picture show, the line also holds the necklace firmly in place.
Fig.1
Fig.2
You have to be VERY careful with the placement of the line, thought. If misplaced, the line can obstruct the exaustion valve open, making your reg breath wet when you need it the most. To avoid this problem, I made a dent inside the valve backing to hold the line far back.
Fig.3 Wrong Way!
The line can also hold the exaust valve partially closed. It would cause a increase in your WOB (Working Of Breathing), which could lead to hypercapnia, with desastrous results. I would advise against taking this mod right to your big dives. After arriving to this design, I tested it for several hours in no-stop dives. That was when I discovered the open exaust problem. When testing, be aware for any incresed WOB. As shown in fig.5, if properly placed, the line keeps out of the way of the exaust valve.
I don't know if this method could be used with other brands than Scubapro, specially with the Apeks line, which is very popular with the Techdiver crowd. But as the pictures show, it works very well on Scubapro regulators!! (Yes, that's a AL80 with a hood and mask...)
By the way, use this modification at your own risk.
Fabricio Rosas Tariki <frtariki@originet.com.br>