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I own one of the original OMS double bladder (85# lift wings) with which I have had a couple of specific problems. First though, I would like to mention that I went to double bladder system as I do some of my warm water dives in a wet suit and after witnessing a friend have problems in a cave when his dive rite wing (brand new)sprung a leak at the inflation hose elbow. For me, it was cost effective as I only had to purchase the one unit and my wife can double up by adding my original dive rite wing to hers when she dives wet. She only uses one and I consider mine overkill when we dive dry. Problem 1. The primary over inflation and dump valve on the right shoulder had the pull cord running through a channel to the bottom of the vest. On a couple of occasions the cord was held taught by the bondage cords which resulted in the dump valve being held open and not allowing the wings to inflate! Cure, remove the bondage cords. Problem 2. Similar to above. As the wing started to inflate, pressure would be applied to the channel, pinching the dump cord and partially opening the valve allowing no more air to be added! Cure, remove the cord from the channel and move the plastic ball to the top. Problem 3. With bondage cords in place, it was physically impossible to orally inflate the wings past one or two breaths! Cure,remove the bondage cords. Problems 4. Comfort. Because of the thickness at the top of the wing (normal high point), I found it to be a literal pain in the neck as it had a tendency to push my head forward when I was in my normal horizontal position! Cure, pinched off the top by adding tie wraps though the two grommets in the webbing at the top which gives a slight reduction to the inflated diameter with no noticeable flow restriction. Since making the above modifications, I have had no further problems and consider the unit quite serviceable. I have also noticed no difference in drag or ability to trim which seem to be the key points for having the bondage cords (I do a fair amount of high current diving). I have also noticed that although the newer 100# wings still have the dump cord channel, the cord is no longer routed through it and now terminates at the top the same as mine. I can only assume that others reported having the similar problems causing OMS to make the change.. Ian >At 12:36 PM 23/08/98 -0400, you wrote: >Hi! My name is Amy Winters and I'm a new subscriber to the tech list. >I do have a few questions - exactly how many people have died using OMS wings. The only death people discuss is the one that has been bought up in the recent threads. Also, no one has seemed to have answered the question about whether there is any scientific data to back up the opinion that "bondage wings are evil". I realize that personal opinion holds a great deal of weight, however I would like to here some factual information too. The reason why I'm asking is because I dive OMS wings and I actually really like them. I've never had a problem with the wings themselves (I did have a slight inflator hose problem - luckily I had my 2nd inflator hose - which also seems to be a point of contention among divers.) I hope no one take offense to this line of questions - I really am interested in hearing about any problems associated with the OMS wings. Being a mere infant to the technical diving world - I do value the opinions of those who have much more experience. Ian & Barbara Marshall marshall@va*.co* -- Send mail for the `techdiver' mailing list to `techdiver@aquanaut.com'. Send subscribe/unsubscribe requests to `techdiver-request@aquanaut.com'.
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