can someone explain the octopus to me?

[avenger79]

Ok so I hope not to ask too many questions here, please bear with me.

I was looking through gear packages, they had a regulator and an octopus. the octo was yellow for ease of finding it? is this for another air source? it looked just like the regulator but was yellow in color.

 

[ibj40]

Are you considering becoming certified soon? If so, many of the questions you have will be answered, in detail, and with instructions on their proper utilization.

 

[rhwestfall]

yes. in your instruction, you will learn of "the buddy system". Should an issue take place, you become a source of air for someone whom has "had an issue". Also, if your main regulator fails (rare, but as with anything mechanical it "could"), it serves as a functioning back up...

Yellow is for visibility.

The class should have gear available (typically you need your own fins, mask, snorkel, and a weight belt). I strongly recommend using the shop's gear to begin, because you don't know enough to make sound decisions at this stage.....

 

[Subcooled]

An octopus has many tentacles. I guess that is the reason why we call our second/backup air source an 'octopus'. Second hose and all...

An octopus, in diving, refers to the second breathing valve. We use that to offer breathing air to our dive buddy if (s)he has a problem with his breathing apparatus.

Many divers, especially deep divers (helium, trimix) and cave divers do not speak of 'octopus'. They simply have two air sources. Two breathing valves. Two regulators. It's the same thing, without fancy words (and often without the yellow color).

 

[kwinter]

An octopus has many tentacles. I guess that is the reason why we call our second/backup air source an 'octopus'. Second hose and all...

An octopus, in diving, refers to the second breathing valve. We use that to offer breathing air to our dive buddy if (s)he has a problem with his breathing apparatus.

Many divers, especially deep divers (helium, trimix) and cave divers do not speak of 'octopus'. They simply have two air sources. Two breathing valves. Two regulators. It's the same thing, without fancy words (and often without the yellow color).

It's not the same thing at all. An octopus is an extra second stage connected to the same first stage and gas supply as the primary second stage. One tank, one first stage, multiple second stages. Divers using doubles, twins, stage bottles, deco bottles or bailouts have separate first stages with a single second stage on each one.

 

[Garth]

It's not the same thing at all. An octopus is an extra second stage connected to the same first stage and gas supply as the primary second stage. One tank, one first stage, multiple second stages. Divers using doubles, twins, stage bottles, deco bottles or bailouts have separate first stages with a single second stage on each one.

You are so wise Ken... ;-)

Hehe


Garth

 

[pauldewitt]

yes. in your instruction, you will learn of "the buddy system". Should an issue take place, you become a source of air for someone whom has "had an issue". Also, if your main regulator fails (rare, but as with anything mechanical it "could"), it serves as a functioning back up...

With proper instruction, right? My instructor called the 1st/2nd/alt air source/console setup the octopus because she thought it looked like it. It's so hit and miss with PADI.

 

[tursiops]

With proper instruction, right? My instructor called the 1st/2nd/alt air source/console setup the octopus because she thought it looked like it. It's so hit and miss with PADI.

There are stupid people in all agencies. If her semantic problem bothers you, turn her in for a quality violation.

 

[freewillie]

An octo is an alternate air source that is used in low on air or out of air situations. The yellow color is to identify the regulator as an alternate air source for emergencies. Either the regulator itself is yellow or the hose is yellow or both depending on the diver's wishes and preferences.

It is not however just another regulator like your primary. An octo tends to be slightly detuned in regards to it's initial cracking pressure (how easy it is to breath) to make free flows (air escaping from the regulator) less likely. The real trick is to detune the cracking pressure to prevent free flows but not so hard that it becomes hard to breath through. The really good ones will breath just as easy as your normal regulator.

 

[pauldewitt]

There are stupid people in all agencies. If her semantic problem bothers you, turn her in for a quality violation.

For her it was a matter of simulacrum. Just because it was incorrect does not mean it should be reported.