Manual/Oral inflation technique question.

[Selchie in LB]

It is interesting to note that the students will generally follow what their instructor told them what he/she liked better. The certified students will defend that choice vigorously later be it and Octo or Air II. I think that we are all influenced by the factors of our environment/experience and what was ingrained in our brains by our instructors/mentors way back then to a great extent (this is for the ones that still remember their instructors).

My .02 as a recently OW certified student. What you are stating BurhanMuntasser is exactly what Jim referred to in his post above on the DS being able to sell more expensive gear. Students learning how to dive and seeing that the instructor has all kinds of nifty looking gear. While it may be functional, the basics may be a better option for those just getting into the sport.

My experience was to buy lot's of gear before really knowing what was available. My decisions on gear purchases were not solely influenced by the instructor, I had some ill advised prompting from a friend. I also noted that for those wanting to copy-cat the instructor he sure could talk up the gear. Not that he suddenly turned into a high pressure sales man, but hey every one has to make a living. I have also come across instructors having to change out gear because the dive shop they work through did not sell the brand they owned. If a student wanted to copy cat the instructor they would have to go to a competitor (read LDS selling certification losing money on gear sales.) Another instructor from the LDS I was certified through offered to lead my first night dive (not for certification dive) and he was using his back plate and wing. He stated he couldn't use at all with the classes, but that was his preferred set up.

I know this has gotten off track from the original post on the operation of an AIR II, but I think it is important to stress the differences in set ups and what students might encounter once certified. It would also be good to point out these differences to students getting certified so they can see the options available.

 

[redacted]

When manually inflating, as stated earlier, make sure they press the center of the delate button fully. If not, then it will not inflate. There is no use in trying to cover the exhaust port with their other hand.

Actually, covering the exhaust port with your hand does work. The exhaust port is right below the manual inflate/deflate button. Pressing slightly on that button open the channel to the BCD bladder and allows gas to escape from the bladder. Pushing it all the way down until it stops then also closes the exhaust port allowing the BCD to be inflated orally. Pressing the button only part way but closing the exhaust port by hand also allows oral inflation.

 

[DaleC]

...it is assumed that your buddy will grab your primary SS and you have to use the Air II.

Just curious, how long is your primary reg hose and how do you route it?

 

[BoltSnap]

DaleC,

My personal primary SS hose is 42" long and comes under my arm. What are you thinking?

 

[DaleC]

Just curious about the trade offs between the reduction of clutter created by losing the octo hose but the problems created by needing a longer hose for the primary (for effective donation). It would have to be long enough to donate yet also route cleanly (or the benefit of streamlining is lost). Do you have a swivel attached to the reg?

 

[BoltSnap]

Yes, swivel at the SS/Hose connection.

 

[DevonDiver]

Actually, covering the exhaust port with your hand does work. The exhaust port is right below the manual inflate/deflate button. Pressing slightly on that button open the channel to the BCD bladder and allows gas to escape from the bladder. Pushing it all the way down until it stops then also closes the exhaust port allowing the BCD to be inflated orally. Pressing the button only part way but closing the exhaust port by hand also allows oral inflation.

Sounds like a cluster-f&%k to me.

Half-depressing buttons, covering exhaust ports, using 3 fingers to depress a button, full-depressing buttons, orientating my hand this way, orientating my hand that way.... wtf?!?

Are we dealing with a high-stress, time critical OOA emergency, or are we learning to play Bagpipes??

What happened to K.I.S.S. ?

Do people really see this as effective emergency equipment???

 

[BoltSnap]

DevonDiver,

At the same time I see people having problems with standard LPI button as well and so you can make the same argument about it too. It comes to training and giving the student time to learn the skill to the point of it becoming second nature. Many instructors don't spend enough time with students to go over the manual inflation skill and working with the power inflator almost exclusively.

For the people who are using AirII it is never a problem at all in my 15+ year experience with AirII (I have used the SeaQuest Airsource prior to that no problem).

 

[SCUBA482]

I half agree with DevonDiver and I use the Air2...While I haven't had any problems with it malfunctioning, it does drag on the reef or sand if I'm looking under some rocks for bugs etc...while training with it, during regular dives with my son or buddy, it isn't that comfortable to breath off due to the stiff hose...works fine, but not that convienient if long term use is needed to say extract from a wreck or ??? I am reconfiguring to the DIR style with shorter LP hose, no Air2, primary on 7' and secondary on necklace...this seems to be the most logical (functional)configuration for all purposes that I can see should you need to use it during an emergency OOA

 

[knowone]

Air II is Scubapro. As a unit, it is mechanically more difficult to operate than other brands.

Whatever the other brands call or re brand their "Alternate Integrated Inflators" as

they are all easier to operate than the Scubapro.

The first Scubapro Air II is easier to operate than the new one.


Once you wrap your head around all the clusters related to using an,

Alternate Integrated Inflator or regulator or source or whatever it is designated as.