Reg setup and gear progression

[Cthippo]

I'm trying to figure out which direction i want to go in setting up my regs and air system. I know that I want to run a primary donate with safe secondary / integrated inflator system and will probably got with Atomic gear. My questions are:

1. Is there any reason not to go with the octo on the longer hose as my primary reg? I'm a big guy and the extra 6 inches of length seems like a "nice to have". My understanding is that all Atomic regs breathe about the same.

2. If I go to a redundant air source, would I hook the safe secondary to that and use it to fill my BCD? I realize that is using bailout air for buoyancy, but so long as it gets filled before each dive, it doesn't seem like the volume involved would significantly deplete the tank.

 

[Centrals]

I hope I got your question correct.
1. LP hose comes in various length, longest is 7'. Some divers will put an elbow on the 2nd stage. 40" is a popular choice.
2. Redundant air source? Are you suggesting to carry an extra independent small tank? If that is the case then it should be independent from your main system.

 

[Doby45]

Run your Air2/Inflator as you normally would. Run your primary reg off a 40" under your right arm. This would require the elbow like @Centrals mentioned. This is classified as a "streamlined" setup. Excellent setup for rec dives.

Redundant airsource is totally separate and should be treated as such.

 

[Cthippo]

I expect I will be diving solo most of the time and hence the interest in a redundant air source. I'm not a fan of having a second regulator on a long hose flopping around and getting in the way, and/or getting snagged on things and/or getting confused with my primary mouthpiece, hence the interested in the integrated.

 

[Boarderguy]

Primary on a 40" over your right shoulder, Air 2 on your inflator hose, upside down 13 or 19 pony on right side of tank charged and turned off. Pony reg routed under right arm and either on a necklace or clipped to a D-ring on your harness/BCD. This works fine for most solo dives under NDL. The 19 will get you to 20 ft and you have another 8-10 min of air to get everything figured out. The 13 is more or less to your safety stop and head up . As you're diving occasionally reach back with your right hand and turn the pony on and back off. On a typical weekend I use about 200 psi on my pony and just get it recharged to 3300 when I fill my other tanks.

 

[DogDiver]

Personally, I would get in contact with your instructor for gear selection and setup. All these internet couch divers may only confuse you. Now if you really want to find good competent instructors that know their sh$$. Come down to North Florida cave country for an education.

 

[Boarderguy]

I'm no couch diver! I strictly snorkel couches and dive recliners. Tyvm

 

[Cthippo]

Personally, I would get in contact with your instructor for gear selection and setup. All these internet couch divers may only confuse you. Now if you really want to find good competent instructors that know their sh$$. Come down to North Florida cave country for an education.

I actually asked about a lot of this this stuff including long hose primary donate and redundant air sources and the answer was "That's all tech stuff, I don't know anything about it"

 

[Marie13]

I actually asked about a lot of this this stuff including long hose primary donate and redundant air sources and the answer was "That's all tech stuff, I don't know anything about it"

 

[Marie13]

I’m not sure where you got the idea that your BC would be inflated off your pony. Nix that thought!

Just curious - what’s your dive count?