Why do we hate the Air2?

[redacted]

Correct!

We use the AIR II in training. The shoulder and bottom dumps are most effective and easiest to use.

The problem with the traditional dump method of holding the auto-inflator above your head is you can inadvertently push the wrong button which causes you to ascend rapidly.

Also, it takes way to much effort. As divers we are generally looking for the most efficient method - i.e. we are lazy.

Could happen but the design does what it can to avert such a mistake. On both the Air2 and the Balanced Power Inflator, the manual inflate/dump is a very big rectangle and the power inflate is a small button. I find them to be easier to use than the conventional "K" style inflator as both buttons are easier to access. I have replaced all my "K" inflators that came on my wings with Scubapro BPIs. It does not take much practice to avoid such mistakes.

 

[halocline]

What will you do when it does happen?

In the worst case scenario, a panic diver ( perhaps not even your buddy, but a huge dude in need of air coming out of nowhere ) rips your primary out of your mouth.
This exact scenario is why the AIR II works!

Hate to break it to you Beav, but in the scenario of the primary getting ripped out of your mouth, ANY alternate 2nd stage will work. And you really can't predict the behavior of panicked divers. I have been mugged for my 2nd stage and mugged for my octo.

But in the scenario you describe, if your primary is on a short hose, as I suspect the ones you sell are, you're in for some nice up-close-and-personal time with someone who thinks he's about to drown. How does that sound?

The issue with the octo/inflator combo is that it does not solve any problem, and it does not improve dive quality or gear streamlining, and it does introduce its own set of problems, like having to use a longer-than-necessary corrugated inflator hose, and having a large clunky piece of plastic with extra buttons on your chest, and having to use this device every time you want to inflate your BC. Its the textbook "sounds good in a dive shop, doesn't really help in actual diving" sort of product. Just right for the eager beaver!!!

A modified hogarthian set up, with the primary on a 5ft hose, alternate on a bungied necklace, and a nice short inflator hose with a nice compact inflator is FAR more comfortable for air sharing AND just regular diving. Why don't you try selling that, beav? Just think of the extra money you can get selling 5 ft and 24" regulator hoses, bungie necklaces that say beaverdivers on them, 12" corrugated and 18" LP inflator hoses.

 

[dumpsterDiver]

Hate to break it to you Beav, but in the scenario of the primary getting ripped out of your mouth, ANY alternate 2nd stage will work. And you really can't predict the behavior of panicked divers. I have been mugged for my 2nd stage and mugged for my octo.

But in the scenario you describe, if your primary is on a short hose, as I suspect the ones you sell are, you're in for some nice up-close-and-personal time with someone who thinks he's about to drown. How does that sound?

The issue with the octo/inflator combo is that it does not solve any problem, and it does not improve dive quality or gear streamlining, and it does introduce its own set of problems, like having to use a longer-than-necessary corrugated inflator hose, and having a large clunky piece of plastic with extra buttons on your chest, and having to use this device every time you want to inflate your BC. Its the textbook "sounds good in a dive shop, doesn't really help in actual diving" sort of product. Just right for the eager beaver!!!

A modified hogarthian set up, with the primary on a 5ft hose, alternate on a bungied necklace, and a nice short inflator hose with a nice compact inflator is FAR more comfortable for air sharing AND just regular diving. Why don't you try selling that, beav? Just think of the extra money you can get selling 5 ft and 24" regulator hoses, bungie necklaces that say beaverdivers on them, 12" corrugated and 18" LP inflator hoses.

How about the potentially fatal problem of a BC inflator sticking on? In cold water and thick gloves (or mittens) it is nearly impossible to disconnect the inflation hose instantly on a standard inflator.. With an Air 2 it is much. much easier and quicker.... To me, it definitely solves a problem.

 

[maniago]

I dive the Air3 (same as the 2 but quick disconnect). Bought it immediately after my reg got ripped out of my mouth in OW and zero vis and I couldn't find it or my octo (which was off its keeper). The Air3 is always where I can find it and long enough to donate. After all if you are donating, youre headed to the surface, not resuming your dive - closeness or comfort is not a factor and I was taught to grab on to the shoulder strap of the other guy anyway. I have a shoulder and butt dump too.

My standard setup (100cu steel) has a 19cu pony with my octo on it, always turned on, octo located in the triangle should a needy person want it...or me (better keeper now though). This works for me and anyone I dive with.

 

[nimoh]

How about the potentially fatal problem of a BC inflator sticking on? In cold water and thick gloves (or mittens) it is nearly impossible to disconnect the inflation hose instantly on a standard inflator.. With an Air 2 it is much. much easier and quicker.... To me, it definitely solves a problem.

if you have a sticking inflator, and have to disconnect it from your Air 2, aren't you also disconnecting your backup reg? That seems like a whole new problem to me.

 

[maniago]

if you have a sticking inflator, and have to disconnect it from your Air 2, aren't you also disconnecting your backup reg? That seems like a whole new problem to me.

I'd say there are two words that answer that question: Surface, and, Pony....

 

[rhwestfall]

I'd say there are two words that answer that question: Surface, and, Pony....

or, dare I say... Buddy Breathe? (ah, the lost art)

 

[Jared0425]

Yes is was tough to breath on because it is not adjustable. And yes they do free flow if they are not tweaked. When that happens I disconnect the hose and let it thaw a bit then plug it. Quite simple. It does not free flow often, it held up under hard breathing at 130ft free ascent during a emergency that my buddy caused.....

 

[maniago]

Yes is was tough to breath on because it is not adjustable. And yes they do free flow if they are not tweaked. When that happens I disconnect the hose and let it thaw a bit then plug it. Quite simple. It does not free flow often, it held up under hard breathing at 130ft free ascent during a emergency that my buddy caused.....

I heard the Air2s do sometimes free flow, but then it seems every reg will do it at least once in its life time. A quick slap and its happy again. Haven't had my 3 do it tho; my octo yes. And mine is no harder to breath on than my octo. Not as nice as my second, but that's not its purpose anyway. The air is good and thats all that counts...

 

[BDSC]

I heard the Air2s do sometimes free flow,

I'm sure it's possible but in 22 years of diving them and I guess around 1000 dives give or take I've never had any sort of failure or freeflow.