Purge valves in masks

On Fri, 6 Aug 2004 09:47:42 -0500, "ben bradlee" <up2u2figr@NoWay.zip>
wrote:

>
>"Lee Bell" <leebell@ix.netcom.com> wrote in message
>news:3SLQc.2301$nx2.337@newsread2.news.atl.earthl ink.net...
>
>> Finally, and this is more important than most will admit, having a purge
>> valve is one of several factors that tends to identify its owner, to the
>> most experienced divers, as a relative novice. This sounds like vanity,
>but
>> it tends to be more important that that. Those not accepted as
>experienced,
>> tend not to be invited to do more interesting dives.
>>
>> Lee
>
>"Virginia" climbed the ladder of the dive boat. Her breasts kept her from
>getting close to rungs with her upper torso and her head was cocked back
>extending the curve in her body. As she mounted the steps the low cut
>bikini top heaved from side to side like pendulums attached to bright orange
>straps. Her slim figure reached the dive platform where she stood erect -
>the weight of the tank appearing to be counterbalanced with her anatomy.
>
>Lee, ever the gentleman, approached Virginia to get a better look. "I see
>you have a purge valve," says Lee.
>"Yes, so?"
>"That indicates you are a relative novice."
>"Oh!"
>"The experienced divers and I are going for an interesting dive at the next
>site. Sorry, but I can't invite you because you have a purge valve in your
>mask."
>"Really?"
>Lee is firm now, "That's correct. If you had a mask without a purge valve
>we could do the interesting dive together."
>Virginia, still somewhat surprised, now sarcastic, says "Bummer! But, I'm
>sure it's not the end of the world."
>Lee, realizing that something is amiss, looks down and says, "But you do
>have a couple of things going for you. I like those Mares fins."
>
>

ROFLMAO! Nicely done!

In article <0KOQc.2448$nx2.2416@newsread2.news.atl.earthlink. net>,
Bill T <williet10001@earthlink.net> wrote:
>
>
>> Finally, and this is more important than most will admit, having a purge
>> valve is one of several factors that tends to identify its owner, to the
>> most experienced divers, as a relative novice. This sounds like vanity,
>but
>> it tends to be more important that that. Those not accepted as
>experienced,
>> tend not to be invited to do more interesting dives.
>>
>> Lee
>>
>>
>That is the dumbest thing I have ever read on this newsgroup!!!!
>I've been diving over 20 years with well over 1000 dives, and I love my
>purge valve mask!
>Bill

I don't see why a purge valve in a mask is of value.

I've never had an issue with simply exhaling through my nose to clear the
mask, with the water exiting through the lowest point (which just happens to
be down near the nose pocket and bottom of the lenses on most masks)

If someone wants one, ok by me. I just don't understand what use they have
in actual practice, since in my experience masks with and without them
behave in exactly the same way when you need to clear them.

--
--
Karl Denninger (karl@denninger.net) Internet Consultant & Kids Rights Activist
http://www.denninger.net My home on the net
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"Lee Bell" <leebell@ix.netcom.com> wrote in message
news:3SLQc.2301$nx2.337@newsread2.news.atl.earthli nk.net...
> "nobody" <anyone@home.net> wrote in message
> news:eZPNc.7986$09.1041070@news4.srv.hcvlny.cv.net ...
>
> Finally, and this is more important than most will admit, having a purge
> valve is one of several factors that tends to identify its owner, to the
> most experienced divers, as a relative novice. This sounds like vanity, but
> it tends to be more important that that. Those not accepted as experienced,
> tend not to be invited to do more interesting dives.
>
> Lee

Lee, that last part is frankly garbage. I've had my Oceanmaster mask for years and
never has anoyone commented on the purge valve. In fact I don't think anyone notices
or cares that there is a purge valve in the nose of the mask. I've never seen anyone
rejected from a dive because of type of gear. This comment is gear
chauvinism--"anyone who does not conform to my style of gear is treated as a newbie".

Adam

"ben bradlee" <up2u2figr@NoWay.zip> wrote in message
news:Q-Sdnb-fyaP-B47cRVn-gw@centurytel.net...
>
> "Lee Bell" <leebell@ix.netcom.com> wrote in message
> news:3SLQc.2301$nx2.337@newsread2.news.atl.earthli nk.net...
>
> > Finally, and this is more important than most will admit, having a purge
> > valve is one of several factors that tends to identify its owner, to the
> > most experienced divers, as a relative novice. This sounds like vanity,
> but
> > it tends to be more important that that. Those not accepted as
> experienced,
> > tend not to be invited to do more interesting dives.
> >
> > Lee
>
> "Virginia" climbed the ladder of the dive boat. Her breasts kept her from
> getting close to rungs with her upper torso and her head was cocked back
> extending the curve in her body. As she mounted the steps the low cut
> bikini top heaved from side to side like pendulums attached to bright orange
> straps. Her slim figure reached the dive platform where she stood erect -
> the weight of the tank appearing to be counterbalanced with her anatomy.
>
> Lee, ever the gentleman, approached Virginia to get a better look. "I see
> you have a purge valve," says Lee.
> "Yes, so?"
> "That indicates you are a relative novice."
> "Oh!"
> "The experienced divers and I are going for an interesting dive at the next
> site. Sorry, but I can't invite you because you have a purge valve in your
> mask."
> "Really?"
> Lee is firm now, "That's correct. If you had a mask without a purge valve
> we could do the interesting dive together."
> Virginia, still somewhat surprised, now sarcastic, says "Bummer! But, I'm
> sure it's not the end of the world."
> Lee, realizing that something is amiss, looks down and says, "But you do
> have a couple of things going for you. I like those Mares fins."

Great reply. I like the part with Lee getting firm. But then the purge mask--what a
drooper. Wait, then Lee gets firm again at the sight of the fins. Such suspense--will
Lee be firm or not?

Adam

In article <3SLQc.2301$nx2.337@newsread2.news.atl.earthlink.n et>,
"Lee Bell" <leebell@ix.netcom.com> wrote:
before the rest of the mask. You do, however, have to keep them clean.
>
> Finally, and this is more important than most will admit, having a purge
> valve is one of several factors that tends to identify its owner, to the
> most experienced divers, as a relative novice. This sounds like vanity, but
> it tends to be more important that that. Those not accepted as experienced,
> tend not to be invited to do more interesting dives.
>
> Lee
>
>
Even if I have a long hose. You mean after all these years i'm still a
stroke?

--
I plan my sleep and sleep my plan

>"Lee Bell" <leebell@ix.netcom.com> wrote in message
>> Finally, and this is more important than most will admit, having a purge
>> valve is one of several factors that tends to identify its owner, to the
>> most experienced divers, as a relative novice. This sounds like vanity, but
>> it tends to be more important that that. Those not accepted as experienced,
>> tend not to be invited to do more interesting dives.

I'm glad to see everyone is having a little fun at your expense on this one, Lee.

I think what we've really seen is that purge hatred is a factor that identifies
an old crusty diver who dates back to the days when purge masks failed quickly,
and is perhaps a diver too old to relate to.

I've forgiven lots of split fin wearers, which is a far greater sign of experience
and or fitness. Course, I usually don't want a buddy.
--
Jason O'Rourke www.jor.com

Karl Denninger wrote:
> I don't see why a purge valve in a mask is of value.
>
If you wear contact lenses and your mask floods, the lens will probably
still be in the mask when you clear it if you have a purge valve. If not
it's going to be hard to find, even in a pool.

"Jason O'Rourke" <jor@soda.csua.berkeley.edu> wrote in message
news:cf148e$2vac$1@agate.berkeley.edu...
> >"Lee Bell" <leebell@ix.netcom.com> wrote in message
> >> Finally, and this is more important than most will admit, having a purge
> >> valve is one of several factors that tends to identify its owner, to the
> >> most experienced divers, as a relative novice. This sounds like vanity, but
> >> it tends to be more important that that. Those not accepted as experienced,
> >> tend not to be invited to do more interesting dives.
>
> I'm glad to see everyone is having a little fun at your expense on this one, Lee.
>
> I think what we've really seen is that purge hatred is a factor that identifies
> an old crusty diver who dates back to the days when purge masks failed quickly,
> and is perhaps a diver too old to relate to.

Your explanation may be right, as I recall when I first took a diving course in
university we were taught that about purge-valve masks. The masks were made of black
rubber and we were advised not to tear the rubber seal that opened the purge valve.

>
> I've forgiven lots of split fin wearers, which is a far greater sign of experience
> and or fitness. Course, I usually don't want a buddy.
> --
> Jason O'Rourke www.jor.com

I haven't notice this topic covered, so apologies if I am rehashing an
old subject.

Three years ago, when my daughter got her OWC, we selected a mask with a
purge. While she learned to clear in her class, it has never been
necessary on any dives. The mask works very well. So well, in fact, that
I opted to buy one for myself when I replaced my old mask last year.
Boy, is it great. I've used masks to snorkel and dive for over thirty
years. All of them leak at some time or another, whether due to poor
fit, hair not removed from the skirt, whatever. My new mask, with purge,
stays bone dry all the time. This also seems to keep the fog down,
although I'm not sure that it is a cause/effect relationship.

Some might think that it is one more item that is unnecessary and it
adds another potential failure point, but the purge is a pretty simple
little device, and as long as it is kept clean, it should do its job
reliably. For my money, I'll probably always use a purge mask from now
on. But I haven't noticed too many other divers using them. Why not? Am
I missing something (besides the need to clear)?

Bart F.

"nobody" <anyone@home.net> wrote in message
news:eZPNc.7986$09.1041070@news4.srv.hcvlny.cv.net ...
> I haven't notice this topic covered, so apologies if I am rehashing an
> old subject.
>
> Three years ago, when my daughter got her OWC, we selected a mask with a
> purge. While she learned to clear in her class, it has never been
> necessary on any dives. The mask works very well. So well, in fact, that
> I opted to buy one for myself when I replaced my old mask last year.
> Boy, is it great. I've used masks to snorkel and dive for over thirty
> years. All of them leak at some time or another, whether due to poor
> fit, hair not removed from the skirt, whatever. My new mask, with purge,
> stays bone dry all the time. This also seems to keep the fog down,
> although I'm not sure that it is a cause/effect relationship.
>
> Some might think that it is one more item that is unnecessary and it
> adds another potential failure point, but the purge is a pretty simple
> little device, and as long as it is kept clean, it should do its job
> reliably. For my money, I'll probably always use a purge mask from now
> on. But I haven't noticed too many other divers using them. Why not? Am
> I missing something (besides the need to clear)?
>
> Bart F.

I've used one for years and noticed only two problems: The first is, as you
mention, that something can get caught between the diaphragm and plastic and
cause a leak. This may have happened once or twice. The second problem is
that when the mask dries the diaphragm sticks shut. You need to exhale with
some force to dislodge the silicon diaphragm from the plastic. After using
this type of mask I had to force myself to clear using traditional
procedures in advance training.

It is easier to grab your nose with a traditional mask but I don't consider
this a problem. No statistics on number or percentage used but I suspect
it's a large number.