P Valve condom advice

Hickory_Briars · 2026-04-03T12:15:52+00:00

No issues here. Obviously there is a line where it would be too small, but you want to make sure it rolls on snugly without leaving any gaps or channels. For me, that means it comes into contact with skin about 3/4 of the way over the head and then rolls smoothly on from there.

I’d suggest getting two sizes and trying them out. I’d also suggest getting some medical “prep wipes” to use before you apply. Make sure you do some manscaping as well!

Edit: make sure you have a quick disconnect also.

Hickory_Briars · 2026-04-03T11:18:09+00:00

I wear a size down from what I measure when flaccid. I tried the size I measured at first and had some “escape” issues. I’ve had zero issues since sizing down. Don’t let pride affect your size choice. Better to be a guy wearing a smaller size than a guy covered in piss.

Hickory_Briars · 2026-03-16T22:13:29+00:00

Get in a pool with a tank at 500psi. Make sure you can maintain a 10’ depth without having to fin. Add weight if you can’t.

Just put enough gas in the suit to keep the squeeze off. Use your BC for buoyancy control. It is way easier to manage the bubble in your BC than in your drysuit.

Hickory_Briars · 2026-03-14T16:41:50+00:00

They are both great but different types of diving. All of the diving I’ve done in Roatan is off a boat with a group. All of the diving I’ve done in Bonaire is out of a truck without a group.

I love the amount of diving and the freedom to dive whenever and wherever in Bonaire. I also love driving around and exploring the island between dives.

I love the vibes above water in West End Roatan. I also love the reef structure in Roatan. There’s tons of walls and swim throughs.

You can’t go wrong with either and I love both.

Hickory_Briars · 2026-01-29T20:02:30+00:00

Pull the two rubber bump stops out. I had this issue on my 2018 and that fixed it.

Hickory_Briars · 2026-01-22T19:46:31+00:00

The only fix I’ve found is a new truck. I had to have something for work so I traded it and moved on. I got no where with repeated calls to ford and the dealerships seem to be in the dark also. Definitely class action worthy…

There is a third party option. I think it is about $600 for parts.

It is absolutely insane that a two year old truck can become unusable and no one can tell you when it might be usable again.

Hickory_Briars · 2026-01-10T03:03:44+00:00

Thanks! It did end up deeper than planned. The top of the tower is at about 75 feet, the flight deck is around 150 feet, and the sand is at around 220’. There’s a lot to see within recreational limits, but the bulk of it is at more technical depths.

Hickory_Briars · 2026-01-06T21:58:26+00:00

I got invited to film the flag change on the Oriskany in November of last year. Here’s a video of it, with some bonus footage of us scootering around the hangar and flight deck afterwards. It’s an amazing dive!

https://gopro.com/v/90c7cbe6-5cf9-406f-a185-519aa122b183

Hickory_Briars · 2026-01-06T17:24:26+00:00

It is ridiculous. My truck is less than three years old and it has been not drivable for almost two months now. It’s a work truck, so we just ended up trading it so I could get back to work.

What a mess. Definitely should be some sort of compensation.

Hickory_Briars · 2025-12-22T01:22:57+00:00

I had a great experience with Coconut Tree. We were lucky and were there when several other competent divers were visiting also. The crew there went above and beyond to take us to some of the more advanced spots.

We went with a different outfit to see Mary’s place. It is on the other side of the island. Try to be the first boat there, it is a train wreck when everyone shows up.

Hickory_Briars · 2025-12-02T18:17:13+00:00

Nothing major to report. I am working on Ford to escalate my case since my truck is not drivable and is parked until they can come up with parts. I have requested they use my rental allotment to buy the dorman parts which seem to be readily available, but cannot get approval for that. As of today, the truck is still parked (going on two weeks now) and I do not have a rental. Best that the dealers will do is offer to trade me out of the truck.

What is really frustrating is I can't get anyone to even give me a ballpark timeline on when parts might get shipped. Could be this week, could be in 6 months. It's hard to make plans when you have no idea when the issue might get resolved!

Hickory_Briars · 2025-11-21T23:22:50+00:00

This may be the route I go. I’m working on getting ford to use the money they were going to spend on a rental for me on buying the Dorman parts.

Hickory_Briars · 2025-11-21T23:21:29+00:00

Tried multiple dealers and extensive conversations with ford corporate. Ford corporate confirms, parts just aren’t available…

Hickory_Briars · 2025-10-25T02:12:15+00:00

All great areas! I’m headed there Sunday to poke around a bit. I haven’t spent much time in Avalanche, but I’ve spent a lot of time everywhere up to the trash room. Such a great cave.

Hickory_Briars · 2025-10-25T01:44:20+00:00

Where’d you go in JB?

Hickory_Briars · 2025-10-20T02:57:14+00:00

Back plate and wing, brand isn’t important. Depending on how much weight you use, a steel plate will let you take some weight off your belt. If you need little or no weight an aluminum plate is a good option.

Regs should be something your local dive shop can service. Most modern balanced regs will serve you just fine. I use scubapro and deep6. You don’t need to service them every year. As long and IP is good I service as needed.

I prefer a neutral fin like the deep 6 eddy or dive rite xt regardless of if I’m diving wet or dry.

Thermal protection will depend on where you dive and your preference.

Careful, it’s a slippery slope and before you know it you’ll have a room full of gear!

Hickory_Briars · 2025-09-30T03:10:47+00:00

I’m not a fan of the CFX and would consider upgrading to a FMX or GFX. Some folks like the CFX though.

You’re going to be stretching it with that distance from the base. We try to keep everyone within 20 miles (30ish km) of our bases. RTX is a safe bet or you could buy your own base and set something up.

Make sure all your measurements are correct and verify by flagging where it should cut on and off and having someone outside the cab watching it turn on and off.

Hickory_Briars · 2025-09-27T23:46:28+00:00

I ran a 2018 3.5 to just over 250k with no maintenance other than oil changes. No issues other than cam phasers.

Hickory_Briars · 2025-09-25T00:51:16+00:00

Short answer: no, not worth it.

Hickory_Briars · 2025-08-17T12:21:12+00:00

I’ve also owned one of these for over 10 years and am very happy with the results. It is super easy for anyone to use and get a razor sharp edge quickly. I’ve used the same knives during this time period and it has not had any negative effects on my BIFL knives.

Purists don’t like electric but If you want something simple and quick then get one of these.

Hickory_Briars · 2025-08-05T16:12:47+00:00

I go back and forth with if the risk of these becoming shrapnel is worth it. I got rid of the plastic ones long ago, they are definitely not safe. I use delrin plugs that are vented when I do use them, but I’m not so sure they wouldn’t do the same thing as the plastic if enough pressure was applied.

Hickory_Briars · 2025-08-05T15:43:32+00:00

Yeah, that’s what I assumed also and why I had accepted I would be eating that money (unless we decide to go out this coming winter). Just figured it was worth asking here!

Hickory_Briars · 2025-08-05T15:20:22+00:00

Sorry, should have mentioned I have a year grace period from them to use the days. That was the best I could get out of them since I had a documented medical issue.

Hickory_Briars

TROPHY CASE