Why do octos have problems before primaries?

[Garrobo]

I use my octo about 20% of the time I am on the dive, changing back and forth when I think about it. Though it breaths a smidgen harder than my primary, which I have adjusted to the way I like it, it works just fine all the time. I also carry another primary in my duffle, just in case.

 

[Nemrod]

Fact is that many "yellow" regulators are the same as their black counterparts. N

 

[The Kraken]

Garrobo does one of those things that I think is most important in diving . . . he dives his alternate air source.

My best dive buddy and wife and I always make it a point on each dive to breathe on our alternates at some point during the dive.

Given, we check our alternates before we enter the water, but that doesn't assure that they will work properly once submerged.

Anyway, it's just good practice to use ALL your gear.

the K

 

[The Kraken]

Well said, Nemrod.

the K

 

[The Kraken]

"Why do octos have problems before primaries? "

Oh, and I forgot to add . . . .

. . . neglect and abuse.

the K

 

[ClayJar]

Oh, and I forgot to add . . . .

. . . neglect and abuse.

Neglect, abuse, and those infernal balls that *someone* *somewhere* thought would be a good idea.

Any second-stage regulator stowing system which has a propensity for causing free flows, even fairly slow ones, is by definition a *bad* *idea*, at least in my book. I no longer bother counting the number of times I've seen those things cause free flows (as would be expected when you seal a couple inches of air column onto the upward-pointing mouthpiece of a second stage).

If there are enough holes punched in the balls (hehe, by nail gun wielding DMs?), they likely wouldn't cause so many free flows, but as sold... *sigh*. I suppose the silver lining is that the octos tend to fall out of the balls on any significant entry, thereby flooding the octo and ball, preventing free flowing.

 

[mfalco]

Fact is that many "yellow" regulators are the same as their black counterparts. N

...But do most recreational divers use "yellow" regulators that are the same as their primaries, or do they use the cheapest thing they can find refered to as an octo?

I'm assuming the OP was referring to the cheap pieces of junk sold as octos. That's why I mentioned Tech divers using 2 of the same second stages. I probably should have mentioned that a lot of non-tech divers do also.

 

[300bar]

...But do most recreational divers use "yellow" regulators that are the same as their primaries, or do they use the cheapest thing they can find refered to as an octo?

I'm assuming the OP was referring to the cheap pieces of junk sold as octos. That's why I mentioned Tech divers using 2 of the same second stages. I probably should have mentioned that a lot of non-tech divers do also.

To get an answer on the question I started a poll,just sitback and wait for the results.
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/basic-scuba-discussions/227219-your-octo.html

 

[littlejohn]

I use the Air II and try to use it a little at the safty stop on every dive

 

[LIVES4SHARKS]

When I first was setup as a new diver, I was definitely given a poor choice of octo. After I worked with a mentor, I was then educated about the reason we should always have a decent reg as our backup. I have switched to the longhose and necklace configuration and have similiar regs that breathe the same. I use them both on every dive, and when diving OW, I switch to my backup on my safety stop and stow my longhose to make it easier to board the boat.
Primary: SALVO SRX
backup: SALVO SRS

Carolyn:sharks: