Auto Sealing First Stage - Good Or Bad? - Scuba Tech Tips: S09E14

Nothing will cause more damage inside your first stage than salt water. Alec compares first stage auto closure devices to his 'clean dry thumb' method vs for cost and reliability.

***** Alec Peirce Scuba *****

SCUBA TECH TIPS playlists

VINTAGE SCUBA playlists

SEA HUNT REMEMBERED playlists

SEA HUNT COLLECTOR

[terencecallaghan]

Hi Alec, it's very interesting that you have done this video as I've just had my Oceanic regulators serviced and they have removed the DVT valve completely. This is due to a safety recall that was announced in 2018 regarding this valve and I highly reccomend anyone checks their Oceanic regulators serial number for this issue. Thanks again for the tech tips and take care!

[HarryStonePhoto]

Another gem of a video. You're awesome, Alec!

[DivingDeveloper]

I didn't even realise that this feature existed! Thanks for the great information as always.

[abtuben]

Thanks for your thoughts on this! Some people will say it's just another failure point, but the idea is awesome and it seems to be working great.

[jonnieinbangkok]

I've had my AL Mikron, with ACD, for about five years and around 700 dives and it's still going strong. I've not had any problems with it 👍

[DirtyRiverDiver]

Like you i cant say that i like the ideal of more moving parts in my reg, but i do like your thumb system. thanks and great video and advice

[jishimo]

Thanks a lot for your time posting these videos. I've seen all of your tech tips videos and can't tell you enough how helpful they have been.

I bought a new reglator and noticed my filter was filled with salt after my first dive. Would you know what could have happened?

Can I have your email so I can send you some pictures?

[vpraczynski]

I like your thumb method. Is there a cap or seal available that's good enough for the purpose of rinsing/soaking the first stage after its removed from the tank?

[alaind]

You forgot to mention the high pitch vibrating sound those ball seals used to make.
Interesting timing. Just went diving yesterday near Marseille France (visiting), and one of the diver on the boat took the rental first stage off, put it on top of the tank uncovered and then dropped his very wet bathing suit on top!!! I came up to him and told him to make sure to seal it before water gets in, and he fumbled with the plastic cap that wouldn't stay on (he didn't use the screw). Thought it was really odd given this was supposedly an advanced group in the morning... Realize now most of the reg were DIN (france after all) but he had a yoke which he probably never used before! hence the confusion I guess...
My din rental had that deep plastic cap, which will do nothing to block water once you rinse it... shop took gear back so I didn't have to rinse.

[hyperbarico]

I have been using my Aqualung Titan LX with ACD for 6 years and all parts replaced for maintenance looked like new, superb feature when other divers drop your reg in the rinse tank

[jasonibrahim]

Hi Alec, so what should I do if I do get salt water in my first stage?

[Hubscharber]

ACD is great, in my own opinion.


Just take a dry towel and clean the mating surfaces between tank swaps so you don't bypass the ACD with water droplets as you screw it down.

[ozjohnno]

Automatic closure device? Soumda like another thing to break/fail.

[erenbergmd]

I don't see how it helps. If you get salt water on the device yes it won't go directly into the 1st stage, as soon as you put the wet reg on the tank and pressurize the water goes into the 1st stage.