BACK

There are two types of Aqua-Relief p-valves: balanced and unbalanced. Both units are similar in design and installation procedures. The balanced system is machined from a solid piece of delrin with a small threaded nipple that protrudes about ¼” from the outside of the suit. The included washer is placed over the nipple and rests on the suit. The entire assembly is then held in place by tightening a nut over the threaded nipple. A suitable sealant such as Aqua-Patch is used to ensure watertight reliability. A hollowed bolt allows individuals to vent out of the suit through a condom catheter and flexible tubing, or to easily seal off the outside water by turning the bolt down to the o-ring seal, preventing water from entering the suit. In the unbalanced version water cannot come into the suit unless the attachment system (condom catheter and tubing) is disconnected. If this does occur, the hollowed or p-through bolt must be turned down to the o-ring to prevent water from entering the suit. Both units contain a delrin base, a p-through bolt on the outside of the base and a connection tube that attaches to a condom catheter. The “no frills” unbalanced version relies on the connection from the condom to the delrin base to prevent water from entering the suit while the p-through bolt is in the open position. Some divers leave the p-through bolt open while diving and depend on this connection to prevent water inflow. Other divers keep the p-through bolt closed, choosing to open it only when using the unit. Generally, the connection from condom catheter to the delrin base has proven a reliable means of preventing water inflow. However, divers can close the bolt entrance in the event a failure occurs in the connection system. A failure is most likely to occur if the condom catheter hose kinks and the diver continues to use the unit, which increases the pressure and forces the condom catheter off.

Balanced Valve Assembly

The Aqua-Relief balanced design is constructed to prevent any water from entering the connection assembly and to reduce the resistance of water pressure (thus the name balanced). This is accomplished through the installation of one-way check valves. A one-way check valve screwed into the delrin base only allows fluid to flow out of the suit, preventing water from entering the connection assembly whether the condom attachment system remains in place or not. A final safety measure exists in the p-through bolt included with this unit that can be turned into place, sealing off the ambient water. However, the need for the bolt is unlikely since the connection hardware AND the check valve must fail to allow water into the suit. Divers may opt to leave the bolt in position but open, or to carry it in a pocket as a reserve measure. A second check valve allows air in the suit to equalize with air in the connection/catheter assembly. This check valve eliminates the resistance of water pressure while the diver expels, reducing the risk of a connection failure. The balanced check valve assembly not only allows for greater redundancy and ease of operation, but prevents ambient water from entering the connection/catheter system. The elimination of ambient water in the connection system is particularly beneficial in cold water or questionably pure water sources. Due to the necessary addition of the two check valves, the balanced unit is slightly larger than the unbalanced version. Most divers consider the additional size to be well worthwhile, but some individuals prefer the smaller, more compact design of the unbalanced valve. In either case, the installation process is essentially identical.

INSTALLATION

You will need the following:

Aqua-Relief P-valve
Aqua-Patch Applicator capable of spreading the Aqua-Patch, such as a clean, thin rod or the cap to a pen Adjustable Wrench Device capable of creating a hole in your suit such as a punch or pencil soldering iron
Suit Assistant (very helpful, though not necessary)
Installation of the assembly is a fairly simple process once one overcomes the resistance to putting a hole in his/her suit.

1) The diver must carefully choose the area where he wants to place the valve body. Location is most commonly on the inner thigh. It is important to note that divers vary in their preference for the connection tube location. Some individuals prefer to point “themselves” down and to one side or the other. This preference would dictate a location on the left or right thigh. Others prefer to angle “themselves” up with the connection tube running over their underwear and down to the delrin base. Still others prefer to forgo the use of underwear beneath an insulation garment, reducing the risk of a kink in the hose assembly. Most dry suit divers use undergarments with a front zip design and therefore will either have to cut another hole in the insulation (not particularly recommended) or run the tubing up over the lowest part of the zipper and down to the base unit. In any case, care should be taken to choose the location of the base unit so that unnecessary holes do not have to be repaired later. The hose that comes with your Aqua-Relief valve will be too long for most users, but is designed to allow individuals to trim the length in accordance with the discharge location.

2) Creating a hole. A hole may be placed in the suit in one of several ways. It may be punched into the suit with a professional punch or even an appropriately sized shell casing (spent shell, of course). In this situation, place a board on the inside of the suit to support the suit and prevent accidental holes. Be careful not to damage the inside of the suit with the support. With a hammer, use the punch to place a very neatly sized hole into the suit. This method is especially recommended for fabric-style dry suits, although it is very effective for neoprene as well. Using a hole punch is more efficient, easier and safer for your suit than most other methods of creating a hole. However, many divers have successfully used a variety of methods. Be certain that the method you use gives you control over the size and shape of the hole.

A hole may also be burned into the suit with a pencil-style soldering iron, but great care should be taken not to burn any other areas of the suit. For this method, place a small hole on the mark made during the location selection from step one. Slowly work that hole outward by making ever-widening circles in the material. Remember that most materials will stretch, so the hole should be a little smaller than the actual size of the threaded nipple (especially with neoprene).

3) Installing the valve Before actually installing the valve, verify that the connection assembly will point in the desired direction and that the tubing will be comfortably placed on its path to the condom catheter connection. Once the location of the base unit is established, the unit should be prepared for installation. All surfaces that will touch the suit are to be glued and should be prepared with a light sanding and then a good cleaning with a solvent such as white spirit. Prepare the base unit for installation by applying a liberal film of Aqua-Patch on the inside of the delrin base (the part that will be touching the inside of the suit) and up to the first couple threads of the nipple. Push the threaded nipple through the hole in the suit, being careful not to brush off the glue onto the inside of the suit. Once the base unit is installed generously apply Aqua-Patch on the lower portion of the threaded nipple, ensuring that the entire lower area of the nipple below the nut will be covered in Aqua-Patch. Coat the side of the washer that is to touch the inside portion of the suit with Aqua-Patch and place it over the threaded nipple, screwing the nut down until it is tightened against the base from the other side. Position the suit so that none of the Aqua-Patch areas will rest on the suit while it is drying. Let the Aqua-Patch dry to manufacturer specs. Then, go diving and enjoy a new level of comfort and freedom!