New user seeking advice on using pump

[bldoink]

IMO finding proper rings is a crap shoot. I know the medical rings are supposed to be better but I don't think so. Try an assortment of sex shop rings. Mail order, they're cheaper and seem to last longer. I haven't found the Osbon rings to be particularly durable. Make sure the rings are lubed before putting them on the tube. Failure to lube them well is the quickest way to break them.

I find my tube to be fairly tight at the base after pumping but with plenty of lube it's OK. I lube up my whole shaft before inserting into the tube otherwise I'm sure it'd rip my skin when it starts expanding.

Option #1)My wife helps with the pumping (supports tube, plays with balls, whatever) which makes me less self conscious about the process.
Option #2) I also got her a few "toys" to supplement my now diminished abilities. Watching her with a toy helps with my achieving a good erection. She was self conscious with toys at first. I'll start using the toy on her and then hand it off. She is past being self conscious by that point. I can then start with the pump and I'm not self conscious when she's next to me engrossed in a toy.
TMI?

[AnotherOldMan]

I know the medical rings are supposed to be better but I don't think so

I have found rings that are thicker work better than the thinner ones with the same inner diameter.
That is so for the sex shop ones as well as the medical grade.
Most sex shop ones tend to lose their elasticity with repeated use and I have an easier time removing the ones with handles.
The cost of the cheaper sex shop rings does tend to negate the stretching as they are so cheap you can just throw them away and
use a new one. At some point when they are losing their elasticity I get more use from them by adding them as a 2nd ring.

I also got her a few "toys" to supplement my now diminished abilities

My wife and I started using "toys" over 30 years ago and my first thought was, "We should have done this
sooner!" The better sex is for her the more often she wants to do it.
I never looked at using toys as any kind of diminished ability for either of us but as an enhancement instead.

[cyclist7531]

Thanks guys. I'm going to continue to try the standard cylinder for a bit more. I've been using lots of lube on me, the inside of the cylinder as well as the rings before I pump up. Right now a bit concerned about using rings without the little handles. Regarding the sex shop rings is it tough to get them off when done even if well lubed? What's your technique? If using say the Encore I assume you are putting them on just like you would one of the Encore rings as well as using the same size ring or close to it as the Encore ring.

If I do try the larger cylinder I'm not too concerned about getting the ring on the tube but not sure how easy it will come off when I'm pumped up. If anyone has any advice there I'd love to hear about your technique.

Using the number 6 Encore ring I was still able to ejaculate with it on. I did lose a bit of my erection so maybe I need to try a number 5 next time.

I think my wife will come around to at least using a vibrator either when I'm giving her oral or while she waits on me. Overall though she has been really supportive of the whole thing and I think after the other night even more so.

[AnotherOldMan]

but not sure how easy it will come off when I'm pumped up.

I always pull the ring from both sides(left and right?) and hold before removing. I find that doing this a couple of times
allows my penis to soften up enough that removal is easier. Plenty of lube helps. It's not as easy as one with handles but
the sex shop/cheaper kind slide off fairly easy with that technique also.

did lose a bit of my erection so maybe I need to try a number 5 next time.

Those rings are pretty crappy. I use a mach 1 standard tension. You should experiment using 2 rings. Both
will fit well on the cylinder.

my wife will come around

She should experiment with using the vibrator during sex. I rarely have to worry about leaving the ring on too long.

[superbird69]

I've been using a Encore pump for about two years now and I feel that I've lost some feeling over the years. I can still remember the feeling of first intering her and then on how deep I was.

[retexan599]

Thoughts for the OP:
• Before I start pumping, I place some liquid water based lube inside the tube, and use an eyedropper to put a few drops of water inside the tube. Coating the inside of the tube lets the semi-erect penis slide up into position easier.
• Pumping in stages works well for me, rather than going for the max right off the bat. I will pump for a bit, then stop and let the blood fully engorge the little chambers and blood vessels inside the penis. Then pump some more. I only use the electric version of the Encore pump.
• I have a horizontal line drawn on the vacuum tube to indicate where my maximum extension will reach.
• A ‘stage’ will be to pump, slip the ring on, masturbate for a while, remove the ring, then re-pump. I think that my penis becomes limber as I go, and is more amenable to stretching out with subsequent pumps. Your partner can be invaluable through this process.
• Often start with a #7 ring, then to a #5, then to a #4. For the final pumping, I end with two #4 rings one on top of the other.
• A tight seal on the groin at the base of the penis is vital. I make sure I use a water based gel on the end of the tube and around the base to facilitate the vacuum. Keeping the pubic hair at a minimum also helps maintain a seal.
• I have only used the Encore rings. I do not use silicone lube, as it degrades the silicone rings. I use water based lubes only. My present rings have lasted over a year with the water based lube.
• Be lubed when you remove the rings, much easier.

[cyclist7531]

Retexan599, thanks for the tips. I've been doing most of what you suggest except for the fourth bullet. I use the battery version of the Encore as well and do pump in "stages" but typically I'll pump, wait, pump some more, etc. until I reach the max line I have marked on the cylinder. I will typically have everything ready to go, wife and I engage in foreplay and then when she's ready I'll then use the pump. So far this has worked well. I'm now using Pure Silk as the water-based lube and it seems to work really well.