Runaway Inflation — Can You Handle It?

Intending to give your BC a tiny blip of air, you touch the power inflator button. But the button sticks, your BC begins inflating rapidly and suddenly you are heading for the surface. What now?

BREATHE

You are now making an uncontrolled ascent. Relax, breathe easy to keep your airway open so your lungs can vent, and look up for overhead obstacles like the bottom of the boar. At the same time:

DUMP AIR

Calmly, but immediately, dump air from your BC by whatever means works best. On most BCs, that means yanking on the corrugated inflation hose on your left shoulder to open the remote exhaust valve. Some BCs have a toggle on the right side that opens the valve. Many BCs dump air faster through the oral inflator, and almost all modern BCs are designed to exhaust faster than fill just in case you have a runaway.

READ MORE: 10 Safety Rules for Avoiding Dive Accidents

GET NEUTRAL

Regain neutral buoyancy by modulating the dump valve. Either your remote exhaust, your oral deflate or both will dump air faster than the power inflator can put in. So even if the power inflator is stuck fully open (an unlikely worst case), either valve should allow you to get ahead of it and re-establish buoyancy control. Calm down and take a moment to relax.

JIGGLE THE BUTTON

Is the power inflator still leaking? Sand may be lodged on the valve seat. Try pushing the button again, wiggling it and flushing water through it; the button may come unstuck. Or it may not have been stuck in the first place. Most uncontrolled ascents are actually caused by inattention to depth and buoyancy, not equipment problems. While you’re doing this, keep a sharp eye on your depth so you don’t lose buoyancy control again.

DISCONNECT THE HOSE

If the power inflator is still leaking air into your BC, try to pop off the quick-disconnect. If you can disconnect the hose, you can still inflate your BC orally to control your buoyancy as you return the exit and end the dive.

READ MORE: What You Learn in the PADI Rescue Diver Course

FLARE

If you’re too close to the surface and ascending too quickly, you may be unable to regain control of your buoyancy. You can slow your ascent by flaring your body during the last 30 feet. That means arching your back with legs and arms outstretched, like an upside-down sky diver. Flaring can cut your ascent rate in half.

REPORT

Once back on the dive boat, report what has happened to your buddy and the dive leader so they can help you watch for signs of DCI. Be aware of any numbness, tingling, visual perception problems, pain in joints, unusual fatigue, difficulty writing, etc. If signs/symptoms appear, begin breathing emergency oxygen while the crew and/or your buddy alert DAN, local EMS and begin other emergency procedures. If you were near your no decompression limit, you may want to breathe emergency oxygen as a conservative practice that may reduce risk.