top of page

To BOV or Not to BOV



No, I don't like my BOV. I kinda hate it, honestly.


It's heavier than a DSV. Despite the thoughtful effort at a comfortable design... it's bigger than a DSV, there's just more material... which makes it heavier. That's physics.


It's also physics every time it hits me in the head as I don the unit. With all the extra material a DSV wouldn't hit me with building up speed towards the back of my skull.


The LP feed hose from one side makes the entire arrangement a little stiffer than only corrugated loop hoses. It all tilts a bit to one side no matter how you manipulate the hoses or the t-pieces.


This one is 100% my own fault:

I almost never remember to depressurise that feed hose when I climb out of the unit. I undo the quick disconnect and just climb out. Which means the BOV sits there pressurised for long periods of time. And starts to leak and require an overhaul prematurely. (IE: Seemingly all the damned time.)


I've tried a couple different BOVs and this is the one that I like best anyway. Which still makes it the best of a bad batch to my way of thinking.


No. I don't like it.


But I can't bring myself to get into the water without one.


My entire pre-dive briefing to non-rebreather buddies is, "See this switch on my mouthpiece? C'mere, flip it down like this a few times. See how it works? If you're worried about me or my safety, if I am acting weird or if I am unresponsive, flip that switch."

BOVs can and have saved lives.


I have heard plenty of horror-stories firsthand about hypercapnia and the sheer terror of having to remove a DSV to go to a bailout reg. I am glad that the divers were around to tell such a harrowing tale. I have read plenty of accident reports where a buddy with access to a bailout valve could have saved the day.


I don't like having to wear dive gear to stay underwater for hours either... but I wear it because it is essential.


I feel the same way about my BOV.


postscript:

White schmutz is courtesy of Cenote Jailhouse and the further environmental catastrophe they are perpetrating by opening the hole even more in a misguided effort to get the water of the offset sink to run clear and become a swimming hole for the Tuluminati.


Recent Posts

See All

Lament

Some people know how to fly fighter jets. Some people know how to cure diseases. Some know how to maintain hydroelectric dams. Some know...

Kommentare


bottom of page