GrumpyOldGuy
Contributor
If I had that kind of thought process I wouldn't dive, it's kind of like saying I wouldn't be able to buddy breathe because I would probably hold my breath or if I had to make an emergency ascent I would hold my breath.
The habit is going to be praticed with buddies in all types of conditions and it will be praticed with whatever gear I aquire. If I feel it is not adequate or do not feel it can be safely perfomed in a controlled situation by me I will try a different setup.
It's not natural to hold my breath anymore because my brain understands it can cause death, but mistakes can be made and it can happen in any type of situation even with the most experienced divers and that is a risk I'm willing to take with every dive.
I asked the instructor and he said you can just use the dump valve on it and still breathe through it as he demostrated.
Your analogy falls flat. With a CESA, by definition you have a no other option. When we were taught buddy breathing in the 70's we had no choice either. Now days, you have a choice of the safer option (octo) or a slightly less safe option (integrated). I suppose you have the option of buddy breathing also in the name of streamlining.
As for dumping with a shoulder dump, it is true, ONLY IF your BC or wing has shoulder dumps. This feature is common, but far from universal.
In the end of course, it is your choice the the risk involved are minimized if you practice using it often, including ascending. My response was to the question by Ron of "one good reason other the DIR" to avoid integrated units. I think I have given a valid reason although you have chosen to discount it. Ron is not shy, he can pound on me now or anytime we run into each other at the Blue Hole.
I wish you the very best and safest diving possible. I congratulate on thinking about the issues even if we do not agree.