Octo Orientation - perhaps a twist on "the norm"

[rhwestfall]

I agree, standardization is preferable.

No disrespect intended here, but many have said that, and it makes me "chuckle". I've been doing this long enough to see many equipment changes and add-ons that weren't "standard" in their time, and became such.......

Put aside your resistance to change, and evaluate the proposed configuration. Help identify flaws.....




edit: FWIW - I dive a LH/BO, but tinkering/implementing stuff just interests me.....

 

[nimoh]

no disrespect taken...what I meant to say was standardization is important, rather than implying that standardization trumps everything else.

I am not resistant to change. I was taught OW on an octo, and even thought then, why not reverse orientation. Soon after OW, I switched to a long hose (because I think it is better, and I was willing to change), and then never really gave the reverse orientation another thought...until now

 

[Paladin]

When I'm not diving my PRAM double hose, I dive a US Divers Conshelf 14. The port arrangement on the 14 is such that the HP port is on the right side. Going counter clockwise (as seen from behind the diver), the next port is the primary LP, then the LP inflator and finally the LP secondary. This is the only practical way to use a Connie 14. If you try to orient the HP on the left, then the inflator and secondary hoses are pointing down and have to make a 180 degree turn to be used. I suppose one could use swivels but that adds failure points.

Further, the 14's port arrangement is perfect for diving doubles with an old-fashioned manifold having one regulator post in the center. All the hoses sprout upward, away from the tanks. Since the 14 was designed for the military, this makes sense.

Personally, I like having my SPG on my right and having the secondary on the left makes it more comfortable for another diver to use. A little talk before the dive should be sufficient to let your buddy know what's what.

As far as using the secondary myself, it's on a three foot hose and positioning the reg for my own use is simple and easy. I have often wondered, ever since the whole secondary/octo thing showed up on the diving scene, why the secondary was traditionally mounted in such a way that is so awkward for air sharing.

 

[fjpatrum]

Wait who teaches the left shoulder? Padi taught the right shoulder, and I always figured the rest of the recreational folks do the same thing.

Interesting, my PADI OW class taught "in a triangle between the hips and the collar bone 'v' at the bottom of the neck", which is neither shoulder. It does include the chest d-rings on either shoulder strap though, so maybe that's what you mean?

 

[ekremer]

Interesting, my PADI OW class taught "in a triangle between the hips and the collar bone 'v' at the bottom of the neck", which is neither shoulder. It does include the chest d-rings on either shoulder strap though, so maybe that's what you mean?

That is what I meant, the right shoulder D ring

 

[Mustard Dave]

This is quite a common configuration in the UK, particularly with a number of BSAC divers. Personally I always dive with a hog-looped long hose whether on my twinset or on a single tank.

 

[nimoh]

This is quite a common configuration in the UK, particularly with a number of BSAC divers. Personally I always dive with a hog-looped long hose whether on my twinset or on a single tank.

dang, and I thought I invented it. I was going to call it DIL: "Doing It Left"

(I apologize if this post sends this thread into a frenzy)

 

[rhwestfall]

(I apologize if this post sends this thread into a frenzy)

yeah, right.......

 

[j yaeger]

bob,all our rental gear and classroom gear have the octo on the left
easier doing share air skills
spg is on right and can be held in hand while inflator is in the other hand during free ascents
padi standards say alternate air source in triangle
on a minus side to this...
when they sweep to the right to recover primary,there's only one reg...and a gauge
reinforce that they should know where their second is,in case they can't locate their primary during recovery skills
my 2 pennys
have fun
yaeg

 

[SeaCobra]

spg on the right?