Scuba Gear tips by Scuba.com - Yoke vs. DIN Valve

[antoniscon007]

Both of the valves ARE K-valves!!!!

one is YOKE K-valve and the other is DIN K-valve...

[scubacom]

@antoniscon007 Technically yes, but the DIN valve is not considered nor referred to in the industry as such.

[k956upg]

& for the rest of the world that isnt in america dont forget k valve is A clamp.

but thats not covered.

I removed the last of my a clamps on my twinset & lift bottles because i got tangled up on solo dives & had to streamline everything so noticed A clamp Y or K is bulkier & not as strong.

din is the future & becoming more common & more compact for lift bags dsmbs etc that have intergrated bottles.

i find there a tiny bit harder to use though.

[scubacom]

@k956upg Well, that's not entirely correct. By using it's name "K Valve" and describing it as a Yoke valve it is pretty commonly known to be a "clamp" as you describe. I've been all over the world during the last 30 years of diving and have never met anybody who didn't recognise a K valve.

While DIN valves are a more streamlined and more secure method of attaching your 1st stage to your tank, there is very liitle chance of the K Valve going away in the future.

[flspy]

I guess the big question is why don't they just make DIN vales? Why two kinds?

[scubacom]

@flspy Yoke valves came around first mainly because they were the valves that were available at the time. Once established it became the standard in the industry that we still use today. To eliminate the valve would be extremely negative cost wise for many, many people, something the manufacturers like to try to avoid.

[hibob841]

@flspy Because "K" valves work fine for most recreational divers. Also, Americans can't get the high-pressure fills that are available to Europeans, because of DOT rules...we can only get 3442 psi/232 BAR fills, regardless of equipment. Since there are now 3442 psi K valves, that advantage of the DIN is moot for us. Not to mention, if you travel in many places you can't rent a DIN tank--so you'll have to bring an adapter. Many shops can't fill DIN without you bringing an adapter, either.

[scubacom]

@hibob841 That isn't entirely true. High pressure fills are not restricted in the US. Just about every dive compressor sold will fill high pressure tanks. For instance we offer a Hoop Wrap tank from XS Scuba. They are just not popular. DOT does mandate the DIN valve on scuba cylinders 3500psi and above. The reason everyone is going to 3442 is convenience. The most common regulator/valve being yoke/"K" means you can still get an "HP" tank and still use the most common configuration of gear.

[scareface999]

you have to say that you can easily transform a Yoke valve in a DIN and viceversa

[NauiDiver91]

my valve for my tank is both yoke & Din, i just unscrew it out, it's really easy, your din conversion should be around 80 bucks

[scubacom]

The price of converting your 1st stage from Yoke to DIN can vary my manufacturer. Some are a bit more work than others and thae parts vary in price. Always contact your local authorized dealer for this information.

The DIN Pro valve that NauiDiver91 described is a very convenient way to make sure that you are always prepared for what ever kind of 1st stage you may have the chance to use.

[subik333]

Both of them are K valve One is YOKE one is DIN

[OkiMike]

The DIN valve does not, in fact, require a "special" fitting. Most regs come built naturally DIN but require the extra yolk adapter to be screwed onto or over it. Even the tank is default DIN and requires a yolk screwport to be screwed into the valve head.

[scubacom]

OkiMike, this is not entirely accurate. While most din first stages can be adapted for use with a K valve by adding a yoke adapter, you cannot make a yoke first stage a din 1st stage simply by removing the yoke assembly as the thread pattern on the neck on the first stage is not the same as the threads on the DIN valve. They would either need to be altered by a technician or have a din adapter added to the 1st stage.

[alrogers84]

k valve, din valve. who cares...that carpet is hypnotizing.. must buy scuba...must buy scuba.. i use din, more secure IMHO

[djfreebey]

k valve same as the a-clamp and as din 300 the same this one im new to this so some one help me

[dmotiempo]

it doesnt make a difference; there is no chance of a yoke system coming off when there is pressure.

[CarMoves]

It makes a difference if you hit it in a cave or wreck.

[scubacom]

The kind of force it would take to cause a problem or failure on your yoke connection would most likely also cause a problem with your DIN connection. Both connections have been over-tested through the years and found to be more than secure and safe.

[misterbigck]

can you show the next steps as well. like what do you do after you set the valves.

[redsharkkiller]

Helpful video if you did not know the difference. Thanks for posting it.