Composition of the Penis Pump

This is Part 2 of a 4-part series.  Part 1 is HERE

We learned in the previous posting that the penis pump was invented in early 20th century Europe as a “treatment” for impotence, or as we currently know it: erectile dysfunction. The device was simple, an airtight cylinder topped by a bulb that created a vacuum within the chamber. Insert a limp dick – pump, pump, pump and tada! – an impressive erection resulted.cockring

There was a problem, however. When the vacuum was eliminated and the cylinder removed the “faux-erection” drained away nearly as quickly as it arrived. It was only a matter of time until the inventor discovered that one needed to constrict the flow of blood back into the body once the cock was engorged. And so the earliest forms of the penis pump and modern cockring (or compression ring) were born at about the same time.

This is an important part of the story. Because successful pumping, either to treat ED or to work on that illusive endowment enhancement, will depend on the use of both pump and ring. But we’ll learn more about that in Part 4 of this guide.

Before we get too far ahead of ourselves, I think we’d better take a closer look at the mechanics of a penis pump. Every penis pump has basically the same three features: A cylinder (or vacuum chamber), a pump attached to the cylinder to create the vacuum, and a release valve to eliminate the vacuum. But that’s where the similarities end. There seems to be an endless array of pumps on the market. Prices range from around $25 to over $600. What accounts for the disparity, you might wonder? Well, any number of factors.

Cylinder

Let’s start with the three things each pump has in common. First, the cylinder: These babies come in numerous sizes and a variety of colors. Virtually all are made of transparent plastic; so you can see what’s happening to your unit while you’re working the pump. The more expensive ones are made of a strong polycarbonate material. The cheaper models are fashioned from a reasonably lesser grade of plastic. Consider for a moment what’s going to happen inside the cylinder. You’re going to insert your precious willie, form an air tight seal at the base of your dick, and using the pump, you’ll create a vacuum. Sounds simple enough? Well it is, except, if the cylinder is made of crappy plastic the vacuum will split or even shatter the plastic, rendering the pump useless. So lesson number one: When purchasing a pump, look for a thick plastic cylinder, one that will stand up to a vacuum.

Pump Mechanism

Second, the pump mechanism: This is attached to the cylinder and it is responsible for drawing the air out of the chamber to create the vacuum. Again, sounds simple enough, right? Wrong! For as many different kinds of cylinders there are out there, there’s an even more startling assortment of pump mechanisms. These range from the simple squeeze ball type of pump to the elaborate motorized pump mechanism. Scary, huh? As I mentioned above, the job of the pump is to create the vacuum in the chamber. A feeble pump won’t be able to do the job, and your pumping days will end even before they begin.

Some of the more elaborate pumps come with gauges, “goo-gas,” and whatnot. I guess they’re trying to sell us on how high tech they are. I’m all in favor of having a gauge to monitor the pressure building up in the chamber, but the more moving parts there are, the greater the likelihood that the blasted thing will spring a leak. So lesson number two: When purchasing a penis pump look for a durable but simply designed pump mechanism.

Release Valve

Third, the release valve: This is a small inconspicuous part of the pump, but it is a very vital part nonetheless. The release valve is most often located on the pump mechanism. Again, consider for a moment what’s about to happen when you use a penis pump; you will create a vacuum around your willie. If you’re a novice, or even if you’re an old hand at pumping, your best friend will be the release valve. This will help prevent you from injuring yourself through your inexperience or by overuse. So lesson number three: When purchasing a penis pump look for a release valve that is easy to locate, easy to use, but sturdy enough to last. Remember, you will be using the release valve with each use of the pump. If that puppy leaks or wears out, that’s the end of that.

Before we get to some of the bells and whistles offered by some penis pumps, there’s one more basic thing I want to call your attention to. If you’re lookin’ to buy a pump that will last, take note of how the pump apparatus connects to the vacuum cylinder. The more secure the connection, the stronger and more long-lasting the vacuum. Some of the pumps have a simple hose-to-cylinder connection; the plastic hose, or squeeze bulb device, attaches to the cylinder by forcing one piece of plastic (the hose) over another (the plastic connector). When the pump is new, the connection is tight. However, regular use and cleaning will take their toll. If you use lube with your pump, it could also compromise the connection by getting sucked up into the hose. And when the connection fails, you’ll not get the airtight seal you want… and need.

The more advanced penis pumps have a sophisticated coupling device that locks the male (hose) and female (cylinder) ends together making a secure seal. What’s so great about this setup is it allows the pumper to disconnect the hose and pump mechanism from the cylinder; leaving the airtight seal in place on your cock. This feature will come in handy if you choose to one day add weights to your pumping device, or if you want to use other attachments. But I am getting ahead of myself.

Look for Part 3 HERE