Improvised Automatic Reserve

[capn_tucker]

I just finished reading "The Skin Diver" by Elgin Ciampi, and in the book he states that you can make a k-valve into an automatic reserve, simply by backing off the valve knob 1/4 turn after opening it all the way.
This sounds like a pretty neat tip; has anyone else ever tried it?

[INFIDELxx]

I just finished reading "The Skin Diver" by Elgin Ciampi, and in the book he states that you can make a k-valve into an automatic reserve, simply by backing off the valve knob 1/4 turn after opening it all the way.
This sounds like a pretty neat tip; has anyone else ever tried it?

I read the same book 2 day's ago and have the same question. To activate the reserve would you just turn the valve the remaining 1/4 turn?

J

[capn_tucker]

I just finished reading "The Skin Diver" by Elgin Ciampi, and in the book he states that you can make a k-valve into an automatic reserve, simply by backing off the valve knob 1/4 turn after opening it all the way.
This sounds like a pretty neat tip; has anyone else ever tried it?

I read the same book 2 day's ago and have the same question. To activate the reserve would you just turn the valve the remaining 1/4 turn?

J

I'm hoping someone will chime in on this, but I think the author meant it would make the k-valve operate like an old r-valve, where you must keep ascending in order to get the reserve air..

[luis]

I just finished reading "The Skin Diver" by Elgin Ciampi, and in the book he states that you can make a k-valve into an automatic reserve, simply by backing off the valve knob 1/4 turn after opening it all the way.
This sounds like a pretty neat tip; has anyone else ever tried it?

I read the same book 2 day's ago and have the same question. To activate the reserve would you just turn the valve the remaining 1/4 turn?

J

I'm hoping someone will chime in on this, but I think the author meant it would make the k-valve operate like an old r-valve, where you must keep ascending in order to get the reserve air..

Yes, that would be the case, if you only open it about a 1/4 turn. You may have to play with how much to open it in order to give the desired advance warning.

In theory it will work, but I don't think it would be reliable or consistent enough to trust it.

[capn_tucker]

Thanks for the info Luis. I don't expect to be doing that very much. It was just some interesting info from a vintage diving book. I might try it next time I use a tank with a k-valve, just to see how it goes..

[pescador775]

Similar issue to the constant reserve. If the valve gets bumped it could shut off the air or open the valve wider leaving no reserve. At least, with the constant reserve lever rod in place it was possible to check the position reliably.

[capn_tucker]

Similar issue to the constant reserve. If the valve gets bumped it could shut off the air or open the valve wider leaving no reserve. At least, with the constant reserve lever rod in place it was possible to check the position reliably.

Yeah, the J-rod works great. I just started using one on open water dives several weeks ago. It's nice to be able to reach down and push up on the rod to make sure the reserve is still there..

[JES]

Yeah, the J-rod works great. I just started using one on open water dives several weeks ago. It's nice to be able to reach down and push up on the rod to make sure the reserve is still there..

Even without the J-rod, the J-valve is a nice option. Trust me, you can reach the J-vavle when you need to.

[capn_tucker]

Yeah, the J-rod works great. I just started using one on open water dives several weeks ago. It's nice to be able to reach down and push up on the rod to make sure the reserve is still there..

Even without the J-rod, the J-valve is a nice option. Trust me, you can reach the J-vavle when you need to.

Done that too. Forgot to put the j-rod on the tank the dive trip before last..

[JES]

Done that too. Forgot to put the j-rod on the tank the dive trip before last..

I wish I owned one so that I could actually forget to put it on.

[JES]

Done that too. Forgot to put the j-rod on the tank the dive trip before last..

I wish I owned one so that I could actually forget to put it on.

Problem solved. VDH is awesome!