That dive on the Gulf oil rig where my drysuit inflator stuck open

We were doing a pipeline inspection about 60 feet down off the coast of Louisiana when my suit started filling nonstop and I couldn't find the manual dump. My tender had to haul me up fast because I was getting too buoyant to hold my position. Has anyone else had an inflator valve fail on them like that and how did you handle it?

4 comments

4 Comments

jamesf4129d ago

Wait, you couldn't find the manual dump? That's the part that gets me. Were you running a specific suit brand or was it just the angle you were at when it happened?

leodavis29d ago

That barrel roll trick is actually genius though. I mean, I've had to do the whole awkward flailing thing to burp gas out my neck seal but never thought to make it look intentional. Definitely trying that next time my dump valve decides to play hide and seek.

the_faith29d ago

Oh man, that sounds terrifying. The thing about finding the dump valve when you're already panicking is it somehow hides in the most obvious spot. I had a similar thing happen with a used drysuit I bought off a buddy, except my inflator stuck closed not open. Different problem but same kind of panic. The manual dump on that suit was this tiny little cord on the chest that I swear moved around every time I needed it. Ended up having to do this awkward barrel roll to vent gas out the neck seal instead. My dive buddy thought I was having a seizure down there. Not my finest moment. At least with your problem you got a free trip to the surface, right? Silver linings and all that.

jasonf1729d ago

Had the same thing with a used rental suit where the dump cord was tucked behind a strap and I couldn't reach it.