Posted to DIR_UK

The following is a description of how best to route and use an EE
p-valve.

The end piece should be rotated such that the hose points up and the
balanced valve points to the side.  The valve can be either pointing forward
towards the knee or back towards the back of your leg, but either way it
should follow the "contour" of your leg as much as possible.  I have a
neoprene flap that goes over the valves and is held down with velcro - this
is to ensure that my foot does not catch the assembly when donning the suit.

Sometimes, the 2 connectors at both the balance valve and the connection to
the overboard discharge can be a little loose and allow a little leakage.
If this is the case, take them apart, put some duct-tape on the inside bit
and re-assemble.

I have not put any sealant on the suit where the assembly screws onto the
suit and have not had any problems as a result.  If you do have some
problems, then use black-witch if diving neoprene or Bostic inflatable glue
if diving trilaminate.

When donning the suit, route the hose up in an arc and loop it down into
your thinsulate to connect to the condom.  You may wish to put a hole in you
thinsulate instead of looping it over the zip.  If doing so, then loop the
hose under your thinsulate after pushing it through the hole.

Tips on usage:
1. In use don't "let 'er rip", use in a slow controlled fashion - you don't
want to burst or blow-off the condom.
2. On ascent, open the screw a little to allow the inner-pressure to
discharge.  The valve is quick to balance on increasing pressure but slow on
dropping pressure.  If you forget, you'll get a very obvious reminder that
you won't forget again ;-)
3. After applying the condom put some duct-tape around the base (but not on
the skin).  This prevents the condom rolling off.
4. Allow the condom to dry properly before re-using (only kidding ;-)

>Please forward this to the list as this email address is not on it.
>
>Generally the P valve is placed on the left leg. The instructions of how to
>make the hole etc are included with the P valve.
>
>The back of the P valve (inside the leg) should ideally be covered with
>neoprene. I used a  4 inch square
>piece and glued it on two sides so that I can get at the P valve, but the
>valve/leg is protected. There are two one way valves the second one way
>valve should point to the right (gets in the way less)
>
>The long neoprene tubing should not be shortened. This should route straight
>up and loop to the right and down through the front zip of the undersuit (or
>you can burn a hole in the leg of your undersuit). you can then connect the
>hose to the condom.
>
>When you use the condoms DNF to trim any excess hair, most divers find that
>medium is big enough do not be delusional about size. After all in our cold
>British waters you have to account for shrinkage.
>
>When diving with the P valve it must be left open at all times, other wise
>the balance mechanism will cause the condom to blow off - a tad annoying
>when you don't know and get a wet leg.



© 1997-2005 Greg Roach, all rights reserved.