Don't forget to watch the video above!
High-Pressure or Low-Pressure Hose — Which Burst Poses a Greater Risk?
Sometimes unlucky divers encounter a burst hose underwater.
That got us curious enough to ask:
Which actually poses a greater risk when it bursts — the high-pressure (HP) hose or the low-pressure (LP) hose?
In this episode of 【What's This Gear?】 we're putting dive equipment aside for a moment.
Instead, let's talk about hoses — something critically important in diving, yet often overlooked.
00
01 Pre-test Preparation
03 The Answer Revealed
03 Explanation
03 What to Do If You're Unlucky Enough to Experience a Burst Hose
04 How to Maintain Your Hoses
What to Do If You Experience a Burst Hose Underwater
If you're unlucky enough to have a mid-pressure hose burst, you may not even have the chance to perform a Controlled Emergency Swimming Ascent (CESA).
On top of that, when a hose bursts, there's a good chance you won't be paying attention to your ascent rate,
which introduces the additional risk of decompression sickness (DCS).
The best course of action is to find your dive buddy as quickly as possible and share air while making a slow, controlled ascent to the surface.
This naturally brings up two important safety points we'd like to share with everyone.
Point 1: Please — in recreational scuba diving (where no-decompression limits apply), skip the non-essential 5-metre safety stop in a genuine emergency!
Believe it or not, the Editor has personally witnessed a diver with a second stage free-flowing heavily still insisting on completing the 5-metre safety stop.
Point 2: Please — you never know when a hose might burst, so avoid solo diving to reduce your risk. If you do dive solo, always carry an emergency backup air source so you have enough gas to make it back to the surface!
Why Does an HP Hose Leak Less Air Than an LP Hose?
Although the pressure inside an HP hose is far higher than the working pressure of an LP hose, the HP port features an extremely tiny pinhole-sized orifice that limits how efficiently gas can escape. In other words, the passage is so narrow that no matter how high the pressure behind it, the volume of air that can jet out remains limited.
The upper port is the HP port, which contains an extremely tiny pinhole-sized orifice. The lower port is the LP port.
At the junction between the HP port and the HP hose, only that pinhole-sized opening allows gas to pass through — which is why the volume of leaking air is relatively small.
How to Reduce the Risk of a Burst Hose
This is a great question — and the answer might fall into the same category as whether you regularly help elderly people cross the street. If you're truly unlucky, it can and does happen. The Editor has personally experienced a three-day dive trip to Green Island where two hoses burst within the same group (different people, of course). But a burst hose means that dive is over — and it can easily give rise to unnecessary risks.
That's why, as mentioned in the video, proper everyday storage is essential (lay hoses flat whenever possible, avoid hanging them, minimise direct sun exposure). Annual visual and tactile inspections are a must. The most foolproof solution is to replace your hoses on a regular schedule — they are, after all, consumable parts. This of course applies to those who own their own gear.
But what about rental gear? In that case, all you can do is carefully inspect the hoses yourself once you receive the equipment, checking for any abnormal bulges or deformities.
The key takeaway: build good diving habits, and never stray too far from your dive buddy!!
In Episode 1 we introduced SCUBAPRO's full regulator lineup.
Click here to watch: https://youtu.be/PD8hzOMQ-uc
In Episode 2 we introduced ATOMIC's full regulator lineup.
Click here to watch: https://youtu.be/GMxpiQedDms
In Episode 3 we introduced APEKS, a brand well known in the technical diving world.
Click here to watch: https://youtu.be/2T1DjYFkQJU
In Episode 4 we introduced a buying guide for back-mount BCDs, including materials and construction.
Click here to watch: https://youtu.be/pL3ko0Levb0
Next time we'll revisit the buying guide for back-mount BCDs, covering materials, propulsion systems, and wetsuit selection tips.
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