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     Chris, 
     It seems to me tht if you are that concerned about a failure of a 
     first stage than one of your independent tanks should be equiped with 
     an "H" or "Y" valve.  But then you'd be carrying at least 3 
     regulators; getting a bit bulky.
     However, to answer your question, I do not think that filling a piston 
     first stage with water will harm it.  I'm not sure about a diaphram 
     first stage, but I would guess that it would be OK, especially in an 
     emergency.  I just think there are better ways to solve the problem.
     Andy


______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Changing first stages underwater
Author:  chris@ot*.hs*.sc*.ed* (Chris Elmore) at ~INTERNET
Date:    94/11/04 18:41


I am currently cave diving with independent doubles and was wondering 
about the feasability of changing regulators during the dive if the 
other one had a system failure. I have heard that the first stage 
would be damaged be introducing water into it and then pressurizing it. 
I also heard that Scubapro regs weren't affected by this, in fact, 
during my AOW (1972) we had to take the reg. off the tank and replace 
it while underwater. Obviously if I needed the air I wouldn't care 
about the reg.but imagine this scenario: You have a regulator failure 
at some point in the dive and end up with no air in the "good" side and 
you still have 3-4 minutes left for deco. (assuming you are solo or 
your buddy is in the same predicament). If the swap won't hurt the reg. 
then big deal, switch them, if it will then do you bank on the tables 
(or computer) conservativeness and surface? If it does hurt the first 
stage, what part is damaged and would it still be functional to some 
extent?
Thanks,
Chris
============================================================================== 
Chris Elmore     University of South Carolina
chris@ot*.hs*.sc*.ed*    Humanities and Social Sciences Laboratory 
(803)-777-7840            Columbia, S.C. 29208
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