dunking/rinsing an alt air

[Jeff Pack]

I've been told its better to dunk my regs when under pressure, but what about my Alt Air? Should I be removing that and dunk while pressurized as well?

[coulterboy]

I've been told its better to dunk my regs when under pressure, but what about my Alt Air? Should I be removing that and dunk while pressurized as well?

Do as you please. For the last 17 years when I was using my Seaquest Alternate Air Source (before I switched to BP/wing last year), I've always just rinsed it (hose sprayed it) after every dive, whether still under pressure or not. Works just fine. Believe it or not, in those number of years, I've only serviced that suka once, not that it needed one, but because I just thought about it. Worked flawlessly for me.

[CaptnJack]

There is nothing about a 2nd stage which can't be wet inside or out. Push the purge button, whatever, its fine.

[BDub]

I've been told its better to dunk my regs when under pressure, but what about my Alt Air? Should I be removing that and dunk while pressurized as well?

I think this is more about getting water into the 1st stage. At least that's what I was told when I was a newer diver.

While I wouldn't make it a point to get water in the 1st stage, I wouldn't worry about freshwater. Saltwater's a completely different animal.

2nd stages aren't a concern at all

[Jeff Pack]

David at UWS, stated (I cant recall the specifics) but something about a spring, under pressure, seats, bounce, etc, that its better to dunk a reg under pressure, so I figured if thats the case, maybe the same for an alt air....

I dunno, so its ask the experts time...

Expert - X is an unknown factor Spert is a drip under pressure

[shaggie]

Someone once told me once, and I thought that it made sense is that the only reason not to dunk the 1st stage is to keep water from getting into the HP hose and into the presure gauge since there is no way for the water to excape from there.

[Jeff Pack]

Scott Zeagle suggested I dunk the alt air under pressure as well. Not required, just suggested it.

[CaptnJack]

I think you're making a weee bit too much of this. I know Limeyx hasn't rinsed a single piece of gear in 10 years. Well except for a few dives in the Lake and some trips to MX cenotes.

[pogiguy05]

For 5 years I have been dunking my regs with a yoke adapter and dust cap attached with no problem thus far.Just make sure you snug everything up before dunking. I assume your alt air is your pony bottle? I have a 13cf and just dunk it either with first stage attached or not. the main thing is when you go to get it filled just open the valve to clear any fluid salt or fresh water out before filling.

[mpenders]

Some regs should be under pressure when soaked. Atomic is one of them:

[youtube]http://youtu.be/b2ISyMSSJhA[/youtube]

Not sure whether this the same with their version of the alt air.

[Linedog]

I have Atomic regs and always have them under pressure while rinsing. The Zeagle although is different.

[Jeff Pack]

I talked with Scott Zeagle at the show, and while I dont need to pressurize my alt air, the party line would be to pressurize any regulator underpressure (alt or 1/2nd stages).

[Perry Cole]

Poseidon regulators need to be pressurized when rinsed (owners manual and tag on the interior of the regulator bag) since they are upstream regs. I rinse my ScubaPros and Oceanics either way, for years, with no problems.