Technical Diving Skills – Valve Shutdown Drill Explained

Process Summary

The basic valve drill involves closing and opening all three posts on a twin set starting with the right post, then the isolator, then the left post.

First of all, here’s what it is supposed to look like….

Process Details

• Signal to your team you are going to perform a valve drill
• Wait until your team is in place and then continue
• Purge backup regulator
• Shut down the right hand post whilst simultaneously signalling you are manipulating a valve to your team
• When the post is shut down, breathe down the regulator until it “locks”.
• Remove the regulator and replace with your backup regulator
• Clip off your primary regulator on the right chest D ring
• Open the right post
• Unclip the primary regulator and purge it
• Remove the backup regulator from your mouth and replace with the primary regulator
• Shut down the isolator whilst simultaneously signalling you are manipulating a valve to your team
• When the valve is closed, re-open the isolator
• Move your torch to your right hand
• Shut down the left hand post whilst simultaneously signalling you are manipulating a valve to your team
• When the post is closed, purge the backup regulator until it “locks”
• Open the left post and purge to confirm it is working
• Move the torch to your left hand.
• Check the position of your right hand post
• Check the position of your isolator
• Move the torch to your right hand and check the position of your left post
• Signal that your drill is complete