Two comments

1. After I accidentally dropped the pump, it’s pressure gauge went out of work, many months ago, so I got used to pump without any pressure measurements.

Last week I tried sth new, it may sound weird, but it felt good.

I placed the tube in its place as per usual and then put the hose in my mouth and sucked air to create vacuum…I was pumping without a pump! It worked and it felt better than the pump itself. After suction was created I just used my tongue or finger to prevent pressure loss from the hose.
(Of course, I cleaned the hose before, with alcohol)
I should mention that I pump with a condom, since September.

2. I am about to move and I will start flying oftenly (international flights) that is why I believe a metal pump can cause trouble at customs. I thought about sth more discrete, something simple, without gauge. Any suggestions? I am currently on nwpw.

Cheers,
J.

Yes, mouth suction works just fine to create an adequate vacuum and it is a good solution to traveling without a metal pump. You could also use mouth suction and then disconect the hose at the quick disconnect to the vacuum tube and use the check valve to hold the pressure.

What is: sth and nwpw?

Ohh sorry gprent, sth is something and nwpw is the acronym of northwest pumpworks.

Cheers,
J.

Thanks for the explanation. Please don’t use acronyms or abbreviations. This is an international forum and you have to spell everything out, or you will not be understood. And if you are not understood, you won’t get a good response.

Using your mouth can work as well. Good tip on travelling lighter!

Note that if it felt differently, it had nothing to do with whether you hand pumped or mouth pumped — pressure is pressure regardless of how you create it.

ll