Atomic SS1 experience

[P-Dog]

So, what will you do now after this experience? Are you still sold on the SS1 or will you get an octo?

I haven't decided yet. When I did my DM the SS1 was not allowed and I added an octo. That hose and regulator is currently on my pony bottle.

I've used an Air2 or SS1 for years, but this was my first rescue experience with it. Frankly, it got the job done, but was disappointing.

 

[happy-diver]

I install some pvc pipe, in the top half of the corrugated hose with cable above and below for shoulder dumping

 

[DiverNordic]

Seems like personal preference. Im all about safety first. Have to do some more thinking here. Thx for your replies guys

 

[Endler's]

I called Atomic Aquatics and told them what happened with sucking in water and the tech confirmed needing to purge the regulator to get the water out. Something to remember during an emergency/rescue.

I install some pvc pipe, in the top half of the corrugated hose with cable above and below for shoulder dumping

Did Atomic tell you to install Remote exhaust valve like @happy-diver did (in his familiar winding way)?

 

[happy-diver]

People talk about being unable to dump when breathing from an airII

I install a piece of pvc electrical conduit inside the top half of the corrugated hose with cable to it above and
below so the existing shoulder dump is still connected so there is something to grab to activate for dumping

 

[Pearlman]

People talk about being unable to dump when breathing from an airII

I install a piece of pvc electrical conduit inside the top half of the corrugated hose with cable to it above and
below so the existing shoulder dump is still connected so there is something to grab to activate for dumping

I am not familiar with the SS1 but out of curiosity - So with your hack one can keep the SS1 in the mouth and breathe from it and then simply pull on the corrugated hose to dump air at the same time?

If so shouldn’t this part of the design spec from factory? Rather than need to apply special DIY skills for it?

 

[TravisD]

So, due to SS1's being the default rental/class gear at the shop I used to teach for, I switched to using one when I started teaching (when we first got certified there I had to have the 'discussion' with them on buying a traditional octo setup when we acquired our gear). I'm now teaching for a shop that's more tech oriented (octo, SPG, even BP/W in the rental fleet) so I've been evaluating my setup again.

Teaching means that I regularly get to do (simulated) out-of-air ascents. In general, I have not found it any more difficult to do an OOA ascent while breating off the SS1 since in *that* situation, we are vertical (linked up with the OOA diver) and already doing to look-up and keep the inflator hand "up" things. Because of being vertical air vents well, though I do notice it venting into the mouthpiece (and eventually out of the mushroom valve). I'm venting just using the deflate button, not pulling on the hose/cord.

If I'm horizontal, it would probably be a pain to vent. In that case I might consider going head-down and using a lower dump valve instead. That would likely only happen if for some reason I'm breathing my SS1 while not donating my primary though, which is not impossible but not (IMO) very likely, but could happen with something like a mushroom valve or mouthpiece failure. Going slightly heads up it vents fine though.

Things I like about the SS1 are the nice large buttons - they're easy to find and operate even with gloves. One less hose cleans up the rig a little, which is a couple less failure points. It's not specific to the SS1 by any means, but using the garden-hose-thread adaptor makes removing it for cleaning, switching between different BC's, and cleaning the BC easy. I can clean my wing bladder by hooking up a hose and letting it run until the OPV's open. I have some Zeagle non-breathable power inflators with the same hookup that I can swap in quickly if I want do switch to a traditional octo setup. It also doesn't require any kind of "Octo holder" (there's some out there that show up in class that look like they're more trouble than they're worth to operate... the cheap/simple one that look like a slightly oversized snorkel keeper seem to be the best)

Dislikes? Seems a little harder to adjust - not sure if there's an inline adjuster for it like normal regs can take to do fine adjustments. It's a different service kit than the other 2nd stages. And yeah, it is indeed a pretty short leash when breathing off of it - I would not want to have to do a long transit or stops that way. A couple/few of minutes doing a nice slow recreational dive ascent is not a big deal though. It means I need to be more self-sufficient on spares, since it's more involved to switch to a loaner/rental reg set

I also use it as a demo to my students to show what the might see out in the wild that differs from the gear they're wearing in class, and to explain one of the reasons why we teach primary donation.

 

[halocline]

Try a D420 or G260, I see those as modern convenience.

You’re unlikely to ever find 2nd stage better than the D400. Unless it’s one of the later D400s with the plastic orifice, in which case getting an older D400 (or D300/350) is probably a little better. Not that it matters, and we are getting off topic….

 

[halocline]

Want to make my gear more streamlined by removing my octo and getting the SS1. Does anyone have any experience input regarding this reg? Im well aware of the Atomic quality, i use a full M1 set including the octo.

I think you are trying to solve a non existent problem. If you want streamlined, then use a long hose primary 2nd stage and a short hose alternate, attached to a bungee necklace. You can then choose a nice short corrugated BC inflator hose with a properly sized short LPI hose.

There are all sorts of issues with the inflator/alternate 2nd stage combos that have been debated on this forum for years. They are polarizing; some divers like them, others don’t. If you wanted to, you could read all those discussions, but you might not have enough time left over to actually dive again!

But, if you insist on the octo/inflator, you’ll want a longer than necessary corrugated hose, which adds bulk in your chest area. This might already exist on your current BC, you can measure it. You’ll want at least 18”. You’ll also want a longer primary 2nd stage hose, which is fine if it’s routed correctly. There are lots of threads about that issue too.

You might want to have a look at what technical divers who routinely dive in tight spots use for a set up. Streamlining isn’t a convenience in those environments, it’s a critical safety issue. Of course not everything that tech divers do is applicable to recreational diving, but some things are.