A basic scuba mouthpiece.
Some people during training complain about jaw fatigue, so I wanted to address it.
First, check the mouthpiece carefully for damage. Often divers bite through the bite tabs making it very hard to hold in the mouth. Check that the bite tabs are not partially or completely bitten through or perhaps ripped off entirely! If there is damage, replace the mouthpiece. Always carry extras along with zip ties in your save a dive kit!
In my experience jaw fatigue is most often simply because the diver is new and clinches the mouthpiece too tightly. If this is the case, keep practicing regulator recovery with an instructor until you are not fearful. With experience this issue may disappear after you have many dives under your weight belt.
Another reason for this problem could be hoses that are too short or too stiff. I prefer braided flex hoses to stiff rubber hoses because they are more flexible and you experience less "hose pull". They are also lighter in weight and pack more easily for travel. Flex hoses are perhaps slightly less durable so expect to replace them a little more often.
Some divers feel that a ball swivel next to the second stage can be more comfortable. Some regulators come with these already attached or it can be added. Similarly, some divers prefer a first stage with a swivel turret, which can make diving more comfortable when moving the head from side to side. Turret first stages may also offer better hose routing and can be more comfortable as the hoses make a more natural arc. Consider a slightly longer flex hose if you still have problems with comfort. Remember that every time you add a moving component, you add complexity and a possible failure point!
Another issue causing jaw fatigue could be the second stage itself. Some really high end second stages are heavy. Size and weight of the second stage could be a factor. I once sold an incredibly nice all chrome second stage that was very expensive and a "prestigious" brand, because it felt like a ten pound lead weight in my mouth. Sometimes manufacturers give in to fads or trends and create something just for looks that really is not practical. Modern second stages are made of thermoplastic, because it is light corrosion resistant and durable.
If none of these things seem to help, then consider changing the mouthpiece. It is a simple process to clip the old mouthpiece zip tie and replace the mouthpiece with a new, proper fitting one of a different style using a new zip tie. Some people swear by the "Aqualung" style, others have a different preference. Try different ones, long tabs, short tabs, etc. until you find one you like.
If you still can't get comfortable, then perhaps a custom moldable mouthpiece is the key. These are placed in boiling water for a short time, then placed in the mouth (according to manufacturers instructions for safety) and then the diver bites down gently to mold the mouthpiece to her/his own teeth. Once this is done properly the mouthpiece will "stick" to your teeth which may reduce jaw fatigue. These can be a bit of a hassle to get just right and you may mess one up, so buy two. They also can be costly and seem to easily get damaged by heat, so keep them cool. They also look kind of creepy once molded to your bite and if you practice an air sharing technique that requires you to donate your own regulator to the out of air diver these won't fit the diver you are donating to. The diver will still be able to breathe from it, of course. This may slightly complicate an out of air emergency. For these reasons, I would use the moldable custom mouthpiece as a last resort.
See me or other dive professional to order a custom moldable mouthpiece.
What do you do to avoid jaw fatigue?
No comments:
Post a Comment