I am a little nervous

[rstofer]

Thanks for your very thorough post, Richard. However, I have to disagree with the above statement...specifically, that which is bolded. This is incorrect, as many BCDs which have Air2 connections also have other air dump pulls, eliminating the need to remove the Air2 regulator from your mouth, causing the individual to hold their breath. As well, it is taught in ALL OW courses which I have taken or observed that you never hold your breath, and should always be exhaling small bubbles, even while remaining in a static position (or seemingly so) to prevent lung overexpansion problems.

But by no means do ALL BCs have multiple dump valves. In fact, there are new BCs on the market where the rear lower valve is optional at additional cost. And it's of dubious value on ascent.

My SeaQuest ADVi has only one valve - the one with the AIR II. It had the advantage of having a pull cable but even that won't work very well with the AIR II in your mouth. How in the world could you extend the hose enough to pull the cable while still holding the regulator in your mouth? I was willing to concede that it MIGHT be possible. Now I'm not so sure. Have you every actually done it? I haven't! Shame on me for not thinking this through and testing it. Maybe I'll jump in the pool this weekend and give it a try. Just for giggles...

I'd be willing to bet that nobody has ever tried to vent their BC with an AIR II in their mouth. Sure, I tried filling the BC, that's easy.

I realize everyone was trained not to hold their breath. Even in the old days NAUI taught us that! That's not the point. What you have is an unusual situation, one for which you have probably NEVER practiced and there is a POSSIBILITY that your training doesn't stick. It's the same thing with looking up while ascending. There is anecdotal evidence to suggest that it may result in the diver holding their breath. Again, it should never happen but it is worth mentioning. Over and over...

And that 5 dive PADI Rescue training class? The one where both the rescuer and victim were briefed on exactly what to do? Somehow I doubt that a real OOA incident will work out as planned. Maybe it's just me but I imagine a really ugly debacle in which it is just a matter of luck if either diver survives.

The idea of handing the OOA diver your primary while grabbing your necklace mounted octo just seems a little too 'canned' to me. Sure, it's the method I plan to use but I won't be surprised when the plan goes out the window.

Richard

 

[MasterFritts]

My Knighthawk has a shoulder dump and a rear dump and I have used the shoulder dump (right side) while on an air2. Real easy to do but the Knighthawk is set up for it. Others may not be. I am not opposed to other views and hey I am learning (sometimes I have foot in the mouth disease). Like anything I have done in the past, I have learned to adapt as needed. Right now for my type of diving the AIR2 fits the bill perfectly. Later it might have to go away. Who knows. Only time will tell

 

[rstofer]

There aren't two regulator configurations only, you've said a few times you've tried both. What exactly do you mean?

Also feeling comfortable with your body because you do martial arts doesn't really explain to me why an AIRII is better for diving over other regulator setups. Can you elaborate why exactly the AIRII makes you more comfortable? If it isn't experience I am wondering what exactly it is... I haven't seen any arguments as to why an AIRII is superior over other regulator setups. I haven't used one and always like to learn about different gear configurations to my own but so far no one who uses one has been able to offer a decent argument about why they are not rubbish like most people say they are... I am still wondering what their benefits are?

One advantage of the AIR II over the octopus on a necklace (or anywhere else) is that you are constantly handling it. Every change in buoyancy probably involves the AIR II (and by that I mean the generic AIR II, not specifically the ScubaPro version which I have). You always know where it is and you are frequently working the buttons, especially in cold water.

But here's the thing: I used one of these for a long time in warm water with a buddy who was constantly aware of her situation. An OOA incident was inconceivable for either of us. And we seldom dove with anyone else.

In that context, the AIR II is fine. Warm water, dive in a swimsuit and T shirt, that kind of thing.

I believe it is worth testing the concept for cold water. I'm a supporter of the AIR II but I wonder if it is possible to control buoyancy on ascent while breathing through the AIR II. Maybe I'll test it. Anyone who has an AIR II should also test. Write down all the worst case problems you have ever read about and go test them.

Then again, I am retiring the ADVi and the AIR II. My new rig uses a short hose on the primary and a necklaced octo with an equally short hose. I don't like the overly long, outrageously stiff hoses that are common on octos (and some regulators). I don't like having the hose wrapped around my neck, a 5' hose is too short, a 7' hose is ridiculous. No DIR for me, I'm using short hoses for the foreseeable future. But the AIR II will go into retirement unless I can find a way back to warm water.

So, those are my choices - kind of in the middle. Other divers can choose something else.

Richard

 

[sabbath999]

I'd be willing to bet that nobody has ever tried to vent their BC with an AIR II in their mouth. Sure, I tried filling the BC, that's easy.

You would lose that bet. I have done both ascending and descending practice in both the pool and open water while using my AIR2. My BC has a pull cord dump valve on the right shoulder, a rump dump (which one wouldn't use when ascending, plus it has the "pull on the Air2 Hose" one as well... that dump valve additionally has a lever mounted on top of it, which you can reach up with either hand to trigger (I have done this in practice as well).

I am not defending or attacking the AIR2, I am trying to learn about it and all other equipment... but since I am diving with the thing for the moment, I darned sure am making sure I know how to use it.

BTW Isn't my yellow ScubaPro snorkle SO sexy (see picture)?... the LDS requires them to be worn when training with them. I like the yellow one, it looks the most like a dildo! I feel so very, very attractive when wearing it.

My wife got caught by the instructor without hers, and got "the talk" last time we were doing some pool work while they were teaching an OW class... they let former students use the pool at no charge when they have the facility rented.

 

[rstofer]

Hey Randy,

Thanks for the insight. Can you be specific about why an AIR2 would not work well. In my understanding it would be used for emergencies only right? I am just unclear why an OCTO is better in this regards. I mean you use it to get to the surface only. Now if I was sharing air for other purposes I would not think it the best solution at all. But the only time I intend to share air is in an out of air situation.

When sharing in this way I use my right shoulder dump to control my Buoyancy as I ascend keeping the AIR2 in my mouth. Can you please elaborate on my points so I can better understand why?

Sorry I hit my serious mode now. Dang it.

The real issue is, can you breathe from the AIR II, control your buoyancy, control your OOA buddy's buoyancy and reach the surface safely. Your OOA buddy will probably be on your right side if that is the way your give-away regulator is rigged. This may mean that you are holding them with your right hand (are you assuming they are still functional?). A long hose would allow you to hold them to your left which, if you are right handed, might make it easier to control the buoyancies. Maybe...

I'm not one of the folks trying to talk you out of the AIR II. But I am beginning to run through scenarios.

Richard

 

[djtimmy77]

Do most people keep air in their BC when they ascend? I always completely dump the air before ascent every time I dive, as do my buddies. Is the assumption that in the emergency situation your buddy might not want to kick?

I am just trying to understand the desire for buoyancy control during the OOA ascent that is repeated over and over in this post.

 

[NudeDiver]

I just like my AIR2.

Hey, you know, I think it would be a good idea to have a backup Air2, in case yours or your wife's breaks for some reason. Having a backup on trips would be a good idea. As it so happens - I recently switched from an Air2 to an octo - so now I have an Air2 for sale. Please buy it

 

[sabbath999]

Do most people keep air in their BC when they ascend? I always completely dump the air before ascent every time I dive, as do my buddies. Is the assumption that in the emergency situation your buddy might not want to kick?

I am just trying to understand the desire for buoyancy control during the OOA ascent that is repeated over and over in this post.

I can't speak for others, I am just assuming that an emergency can hit at any time... chances are I won't know there is an issue until the reg gets yanked out of my mouth... depending upon what I am doing, I may have quite a bit of air in the BC or very little... either way, we are going up and whatever is in there is going to have to be dumped to maintain as good of an ascent rate as possible.

 

[crosing]

i guess it sounds ok, one less hose, more streamlined i guess, one less piece of equipment to worry about servicing...

I would change that to " one more piece of equipment that is easy to forget to service "

 

[sharky60]

I just, this past year bought my first octopus...I have been using a ScubaPro power inflator/octo (Air 2 I guess y'all are calling it), for over 20 YEARS!! Safety has never been an issue.

I absolutly LOVED diving with it, and was actually quite upset at having to give it up because I was told they didn't make parts packs for maintenance anymore.

I also had to move on to a new BC after the same amount of time when my old international orange ScubaPro developed "unfixable" leaks at the seams...hey 24 years out of BC ain't bad!!

I purchased a SeaQuest Passport BC for a replacement and not totally sure if I'd like it or not opted out of buying the "Air2" inflator for it, although that would have been my first choice.

Back to the subject,

1.) Don't listen to bad press.

2.) Dive with the equipment YOU are comfortable with, after all YOU are responable for your own
safety first.

3.) (and really just an extension of #2) Let you dive buddy know any conserns you have pertaining to ANYTHING before getting in the water.


...happy diving.