My vote is for the Sea Cure. I've been diving for over twenty years since I was a kid. I've logged hundreds of dives in tropical and Coldwater. I am rescue certified. But it was not until last year that I got this mouthpiece. It is one of the best and most inexpensive pieces of gear that you will ever buy. I would never go back to a standard mouthpiece again. It makes driving so comfortable and your teeth don't feel weird or move after the dive. It requires zero pressure to keep it in your mouth and it is a game changer.
The longer you dive the more you realize your teeth and jaw are affected by the mouthpiece. Nice if every new reg came with a Sea Cure, keep a lot of divers happy. A
The yellow plug for the moldable mouthpiece is a temporary handle for the moment you put it in the boiling water (you put it on the other part of the mouthpiece). It holds the shape for the regulator and it helps not to burn yourself. P.S. cool videos!
I use to get headaches after multiple dives, and a lot off pain in my jaws. Went to the sea cure mouth piece and solved all the problems. Definitely worth the extra cost!
Earlier this week while in Hawaii I did a “Discover Scuba Diving” trip (first time trying it). Overall it went fine and has peaked my interest in becoming certified but the one discomfort I had was difficulty in keeping a seal on the mouthpiece primarily due to the very small bite tabs. I was constantly working my mouth and lips to keep a seal while trying to keep the mouthpiece in my mouth (was tasting seawater all the time). This video answered a lot of questions and gives me info on what to look for when I get around to actually buying some of the gear.
I use a farallon snorkel for free diving and didn't know there were equivalent mouthpiece for the second stage. Thank you for mentioning the SeaCure. I tend to bite too hard and having something form fit distributes the pressure and I don't bite the mouthpiece off after a little while.
Farallon was way ahead of its time and they had a moldable mouthpiece in the 70s for both their snorkel AND for regulators. I just did a new Tech Tip on these mouthpieces and how they can help. Take care. Alec
A handy little trick I learned from a journeyman electrician a little while ago helps to eliminate / avoid the little nub left over on the zip tie. Instead of side cutters, you can just grip the excess tail of the zip tie right at the base with your needle nose pliers and twist until it breaks off. Imagine lining up the tail of the zip tie lengthwise with your needle nose pliers... square the tip of the pliers against the "lock box" (or whatever it's called- the little square on the end of the zip tie) so that the tip of the pliers is pressed firmly against it. Squeeze the pliers down onto the tail of the zip tie and then twist until it breaks! Half a turn or so usually does it- Works really well... try it out! Shorter, blunt nose pliers work too... choose whatever works best for you :)
I've done that sometimes. You do need to be careful. Too much tightening on Zip Ties can weaken their grip. It takes a minute extra, but when I service your reg I cut the tie, trim with a utility knife (X-Acto) and then I even sand the end with a file if necessary. Take care. Alec
A smaller set of side clippers can get close enough that there is anything sticking up. I use a small set of Irwin clippers and it is almost flush with the top of the zip tie.
I use the seacure mouthpiece and it is amazing, worth even 200 bucks, everyone should upgrade to either that or the mares custom mouthpiece. So much more comfortable. Also the seacure mouthpiece normally fits with lettering down unless you have lower jaw protruding in front of your top teeth. Over bite. So it fits better that way because even the mouth piece is designed for uneven bite which all of us have.
I tried over biting my mares custom mouthpiece and while am diving it was annoying since I have to keep biting on the mouth piece hard which eventually made my jaws hurt !
Thank's Alec, Your channel helps a lot!! Could you share please the brand of the mouthpiece with the hard plastic bites (starting at minute 4:39)? That will help. Please!
Its called a Wisdom because of the extra length of the bit is also secured by the rear wisdom teeth the third and final set of molars that most people get in their late teens or early twenties. 👍 It is generally thought among linguists that they are called wisdom teeth because they appear so late, at an age when a person matures into adulthood and is “wiser” than when other teeth have erupted. Lately, science has added some credence to the idea that the third molar does indeed erupt when a person is “wiser”.
A little tip with zip ties, if you grab the tag with a set of pliers, twist until it breaks off, it will always break at the little mechanism and not leave a sharp edge!
I always rent all my equipment. However, for hygiene purposes, I would like to have my own 2nd stage regulator. Why there are no easy way of plugging my own 2nd stage to the hose? Any reason besides no one ever remember that? :)
That's a genuine concern Nuno. Although rental gear should be sanitized after every use, I know very well it seldom is. You can actually have your own second stage and it takes but a minute to install it on any first stage. You simply have to convince the dive shop to do it. They will also have to re-set the breathing but that too is a simple, quick job. A faster and much cheaper way to guarantee your safety is to get a small spray bottle of sanitizer. It's available at any drug store or at good dive shops. You can simply spray the mouthpiece but be sure to spray lots into the opening as well. Swish it around in there and let it sit for a moment before rinsing it out. It's not just the mouthpiece that may have someone else's spit on it. You're right BTW. Many divers just don't think about it. Alec
I just decided to get my own set of regs and put them onto the rental tanks, that way I can feel comfortable knowing that I am the only one to have spat in them or whatnot. They say that chlorine water/sea water cleans things pretty well, but I still like that peace of mind. The same reason I bought my own mask and snorkel even before I took my certification course.
What about divers that dont have teeth, i had bad accident and jaw and teeth got really messed up, now it is really difficult to use dentures with mouthpiece, is there a double bite, or oversized mouthpiece for this type of issue?
I did a course on holiday in South of France, the regulator didn't fit properly and I was constantly biting hard on it which made my experience horrible, and my mask leaked like crazy, made me feel really uncomfortable and I couldn't finish the open water dive! However I want to go and do another open water dive course as the one I did in France was 3/4 pool dives and an open water dive, only didn't have any class room work. I still received a certificate so I'm still to this day confused to what the certificate is actually for
Unfortunately James, no matter how good the certifying agency is, it always comes down to the instructor. A really good instructor will make a mediocre course exciting and satisfying. A poor instructor can turn a well-planned course into a nightmare. In France, I'd suspect you took a CMAS course which can be either, depending on the instructor. The CMAS program is good (I'm a CMAS 3 Star instructor) but somewhat daunting and can easily turn into an endurance contest. Try again. You will be happy that you did. I promise. Whether CMAS or PADI, try to meet and chat with the instructor beforehand. And check out the gear that the dive store supplies. If the instructor and store staff seem genuinely interested in helping you learn and enjoy, go for it. If they are complacent and don't seem to really care, look around. Good luck. Let me know how you make out. Alec
@@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter I got my Basic Cert. through the YMCA in 1986 and all my advanced certs through NAUI over the years. Back in those days, NAUI had about the toughest instructors that drilled us hard. Took 20 years off, got back into SCUBA recently, and took a NAUI recertification dive with a NAUI instructor. Didn't miss a beat. It was like I had never taken those 20 years off. A good program and instructor can do that for you.
If only you know what he does to me! Move here, hold it higher, talk slower/faster, etc. etc. We get along just fine after 5+ years of doing these and travelling together on dive trips. He can take and give it out.
My vote is for the Sea Cure.
I've been diving for over twenty years since I was a kid. I've logged hundreds of dives in tropical and Coldwater. I am rescue certified. But it was not until last year that I got this mouthpiece. It is one of the best and most inexpensive pieces of gear that you will ever buy. I would never go back to a standard mouthpiece again. It makes driving so comfortable and your teeth don't feel weird or move after the dive. It requires zero pressure to keep it in your mouth and it is a game changer.
The longer you dive the more you realize your teeth and jaw are affected by the mouthpiece. Nice if every new reg came with a Sea Cure, keep a lot of divers happy.
A
The yellow plug for the moldable mouthpiece is a temporary handle for the moment you put it in the boiling water (you put it on the other part of the mouthpiece). It holds the shape for the regulator and it helps not to burn yourself.
P.S. cool videos!
I use to get headaches after multiple dives, and a lot off pain in my jaws. Went to the sea cure mouth piece and solved all the problems. Definitely worth the extra cost!
Few people realize how a poor mouthpiece will affect their comfort.
Thanks for watching.
Alec
Alec, I sure enjoy your videos! Not only informative, but your presentation is very engaging. Can't wait for the next one!
+Vinnie DeAngelis Thanks Vinnie.
Any ideas for more tips?
Alec
+Scuba 2000 How about showing visual and hydro inspections on cylinders? Tips for love & care of cylinders would be nice too...
+Vinnie DeAngelis Good idea. Keep watching.
That end bit was very useful during the years 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 with the Covid-19 pandemic...
Ha good one, very true. Thanks for the laugh.
Nice to see you again
Thanks Alec! I'm now ready to change my son's mouthpiece! Thanks for the wealth of information on your channel!!!
I'm glad it helped.
Thanks for watching.
Alec
Earlier this week while in Hawaii I did a “Discover Scuba Diving” trip (first time trying it). Overall it went fine and has peaked my interest in becoming certified but the one discomfort I had was difficulty in keeping a seal on the mouthpiece primarily due to the very small bite tabs. I was constantly working my mouth and lips to keep a seal while trying to keep the mouthpiece in my mouth (was tasting seawater all the time). This video answered a lot of questions and gives me info on what to look for when I get around to actually buying some of the gear.
Thanks for sharing and hope you're interested in becoming a certified diver. Then all my videos will make a lot more sense. Take care.
Awesome video!!
Thank you for sharing your expertise and wisdoms, I found it very helpful. Now I know what mouthpieces should I get.
I'm glad it helped Cicely.
Alec
great videos, thanks for sharing!
That is simple and very neat.
I use a farallon snorkel for free diving and didn't know there were equivalent mouthpiece for the second stage. Thank you for mentioning the SeaCure. I tend to bite too hard and having something form fit distributes the pressure and I don't bite the mouthpiece off after a little while.
Farallon was way ahead of its time and they had a moldable mouthpiece in the 70s for both their snorkel AND for regulators.
I just did a new Tech Tip on these mouthpieces and how they can help.
Take care.
Alec
A handy little trick I learned from a journeyman electrician a little while ago helps to eliminate / avoid the little nub left over on the zip tie. Instead of side cutters, you can just grip the excess tail of the zip tie right at the base with your needle nose pliers and twist until it breaks off. Imagine lining up the tail of the zip tie lengthwise with your needle nose pliers... square the tip of the pliers against the "lock box" (or whatever it's called- the little square on the end of the zip tie) so that the tip of the pliers is pressed firmly against it. Squeeze the pliers down onto the tail of the zip tie and then twist until it breaks! Half a turn or so usually does it- Works really well... try it out! Shorter, blunt nose pliers work too... choose whatever works best for you :)
I've done that sometimes. You do need to be careful. Too much tightening on Zip Ties can weaken their grip. It takes a minute extra, but when I service your reg I cut the tie, trim with a utility knife (X-Acto) and then I even sand the end with a file if necessary.
Take care.
Alec
A smaller set of side clippers can get close enough that there is anything sticking up. I use a small set of Irwin clippers and it is almost flush with the top of the zip tie.
I use the seacure mouthpiece and it is amazing, worth even 200 bucks, everyone should upgrade to either that or the mares custom mouthpiece. So much more comfortable. Also the seacure mouthpiece normally fits with lettering down unless you have lower jaw protruding in front of your top teeth. Over bite. So it fits better that way because even the mouth piece is designed for uneven bite which all of us have.
I tried over biting my mares custom mouthpiece and while am diving it was annoying since I have to keep biting on the mouth piece hard which eventually made my jaws hurt !
thanks
Thank's Alec, Your channel helps a lot!! Could you share please the brand of the mouthpiece with the hard plastic bites (starting at minute 4:39)? That will help. Please!
Sure Thomas. It is a "Trident Padded Bite Black Silicone regulator mouthpiece for super comfort and reduced jaw fatigue". Thanks for watching.
Its called a Wisdom because of the extra length of the bit is also secured by the rear wisdom teeth the third and final set of molars that most people get in their late teens or early twenties. 👍 It is generally thought among linguists that they are called wisdom teeth because they appear so late, at an age when a person matures into adulthood and is “wiser” than when other teeth have erupted. Lately, science has added some credence to the idea that the third molar does indeed erupt when a person is “wiser”.
My wisdom teeth were impacted and never erupted. Had them removed at 25. What are you saying man? jk hahaha
great videos Alec how about metal detectors regards from the UK :)
+Anthony Butler
Good idea Anthony.
I'll see what I can do.
Thanks for commenting.
Alec
A little tip with zip ties, if you grab the tag with a set of pliers, twist until it breaks off, it will always break at the little mechanism and not leave a sharp edge!
I'll try that. I know they break off easily if you pull or twist too hard.
Thanks.
Alec
I always rent all my equipment. However, for hygiene purposes, I would like to have my own 2nd stage regulator. Why there are no easy way of plugging my own 2nd stage to the hose? Any reason besides no one ever remember that? :)
That's a genuine concern Nuno. Although rental gear should be sanitized after every use, I know very well it seldom is. You can actually have your own second stage and it takes but a minute to install it on any first stage. You simply have to convince the dive shop to do it. They will also have to re-set the breathing but that too is a simple, quick job.
A faster and much cheaper way to guarantee your safety is to get a small spray bottle of sanitizer. It's available at any drug store or at good dive shops. You can simply spray the mouthpiece but be sure to spray lots into the opening as well. Swish it around in there and let it sit for a moment before rinsing it out. It's not just the mouthpiece that may have someone else's spit on it.
You're right BTW. Many divers just don't think about it.
Alec
I just decided to get my own set of regs and put them onto the rental tanks, that way I can feel comfortable knowing that I am the only one to have spat in them or whatnot. They say that chlorine water/sea water cleans things pretty well, but I still like that peace of mind.
The same reason I bought my own mask and snorkel even before I took my certification course.
Listen up folks. Here's a smart guy! Thanks for watchng.
Do these mouth pieces hold your mouth open so the air goes in?
No sir, only make it much easier to keep the mouthpiece in place.
What about divers that dont have teeth, i had bad accident and jaw and teeth got really messed up, now it is really difficult to use dentures with mouthpiece, is there a double bite, or oversized mouthpiece for this type of issue?
How about a custom bite mouthpiece? The SeaCure mouthpiece is molded to your bite. Take a look at seacuremouthpiece.com.
A
Sea cure could be the answer. It gets soft enough mold it. As long as your gums aren't extremely sensitive to heat. Another option may be a strap
I did a course on holiday in South of France, the regulator didn't fit properly and I was constantly biting hard on it which made my experience horrible, and my mask leaked like crazy, made me feel really uncomfortable and I couldn't finish the open water dive! However I want to go and do another open water dive course as the one I did in France was 3/4 pool dives and an open water dive, only didn't have any class room work. I still received a certificate so I'm still to this day confused to what the certificate is actually for
Unfortunately James, no matter how good the certifying agency is, it always comes down to the instructor.
A really good instructor will make a mediocre course exciting and satisfying. A poor instructor can turn a well-planned course into a nightmare.
In France, I'd suspect you took a CMAS course which can be either, depending on the instructor. The CMAS program is good (I'm a CMAS 3 Star instructor) but somewhat daunting and can easily turn into an endurance contest.
Try again. You will be happy that you did. I promise.
Whether CMAS or PADI, try to meet and chat with the instructor beforehand. And check out the gear that the dive store supplies. If the instructor and store staff seem genuinely interested in helping you learn and enjoy, go for it. If they are complacent and don't seem to really care, look around.
Good luck.
Let me know how you make out.
Alec
@@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter I got my Basic Cert. through the YMCA in 1986 and all my advanced certs through NAUI over the years. Back in those days, NAUI had about the toughest instructors that drilled us hard. Took 20 years off, got back into SCUBA recently, and took a NAUI recertification dive with a NAUI instructor. Didn't miss a beat. It was like I had never taken those 20 years off. A good program and instructor can do that for you.
can you just rinse the mouth piece in Listerine?
You can to disinfect but the rubber/plastic mouthpieces of today don't last long with the chemicals in listerine or similar.
A
I think it's called a wisdom mouthpiece because it extends all the way to your wisdom teeth.
My Aqua Lung Core came with the oradontic mouthpiece and i didn't like it.
Probably called wisdom because it touches or gets closer to your wisdom teeth then a normal mouth peace
Ha. Good one.
Alec
And "mouthpiece" also lol
Flush cutters, such as m.harborfreight.com/micro-flush-cutter-90708.html are great for cutting zip tie tag ends off perfectly flush.
Kevin sure gets lot's of abuse , he must be a real good sport!
If only you know what he does to me! Move here, hold it higher, talk slower/faster, etc. etc. We get along just fine after 5+ years of doing these and travelling together on dive trips. He can take and give it out.
I do prefer the Mares Jax.
There are quite a few moldable mouthpieces out there.
Most will fit any regulator.
Most do a good job.
Alec