When is it time to switch to a long hose setup?

[growcurlyhair]

Hi everyone,

I'm currently diving with a standard recreational setup; Octopus on a short hose clipped to my BPW, standard length primary, etc. I’ve been reading up on long hose configurations (5–7ft hose for primary donate and bungee backup) and I’m curious when divers typically make that transition.

I'm not tech diving (yet), and most of my dives are recreational, within 25m depth, with decent visibility and usually with a regular buddy or guided group. However, I am thinking more about streamlining, ease of gas sharing, and just having a cleaner setup that works well in emergencies.

So my question is:

At what point does it make sense to switch to a long hose configuration?

Was there a specific dive scenario or training progression (e.g., Rescue, Cavern, or Intro to Tech) that made it worthwhile for you?

I'm also curious if any of you made the switch early in your dive journey; Do you need to get some training for it?

Appreciate any insights, especially from those who started recreational and later moved into more advanced diving.

Thanks!

Best
Garrett

 

[tursiops]

You might want to consider an intermediate setup, without some of the disadvantages of the 5-7ft long hose. Bungee your secondary around your neck, and use a 40-inch hose on your primary under your arm. Plenty of length for open-water gas sharing if needed, primary donate, and easier to manage, especially getting into small boats if your rig needs to be lifted up and not worn up. If you ever go technical and actually need a 5-7 ft hose, that is an easy transition.

 

[rongoodman]

As far as I recall I switched immediately after my OW class.

 

[apuleyo]

There are some specifics (such as hoses length, type of first stage, materials, etc.) that you should consider carefully to ensure adequacy, comfort and avoid buying twice.
I would recommend you to also learn about specific gas sharing techniques and buddy swimming beforehand to get the most out it (S-drill in the GUE world).
Everyone has a different way of learning but I would say that spending a few hours with someone experienced that dives this configuration should be enough for most of the people.

 

[Nick_Radov]

The "standard recreational setup" never made any sense in the first place — if you approach equipment configuration from a first-principles perspective. You can switch to a long hose configuration as soon as you like regardless of what type of diving you intend to do, and the better instructors now teach open water students that way from the start. If you do switch then it's a good idea to go back and get some additional training instead of relying on online videos: some of the nuances and differences in safety procedures are better learned under professional supervision.

 

[Lorenzoid]

You might want to consider an intermediate setup, without some of the disadvantages of the 5-7ft long hose. Bungee your secondary around your neck, and use a 40-inch hose on your primary under your arm. Plenty of length for open-water gas sharing if needed, primary donate, and easier to manage, especially getting into small boats if your rig needs to be lifted up and not worn up. If you ever go technical and actually need a 5-7 ft hose, that is an easy transition.

Agree. For the OP, here's an example: Streamlined OW

 

[Divin'Papaw]

I went to a long hose setup at dive #6 after A LOT of reading here on ScubaBoard. I've very glad I did! I've never regretted it.

 

[KenE]

I prefer the 60" over the 40" because when wrapped around the neck you don't have any chance of dropping the primary when switching. It just sits right next to the bungee on my chest when not in use. The 40" tends to fall away and takes a bit more to get it back. For me, the 60" does not need any tucking like the 84" requires. YMMV

I switched right after AOW and have never looked back, just a better way to dive IMHO.

 

[rhwestfall]

Making the switch now allows your next training progression to be in the equipment you want. You my just go with a "recreational style" (40" primary and bungied octo), and eventually going to the full long hose configuration for the purposes it is intended for when your need dictates it.

My daughter switched to the recreational long hose configuration the first dive after ow certification.

Even to her, primary donate made more sense.

 

[hammet]

You might want to consider an intermediate setup, without some of the disadvantages of the 5-7ft long hose. Bungee your secondary around your neck, and use a 40-inch hose on your primary under your arm. Plenty of length for open-water gas sharing if needed, primary donate, and easier to manage, especially getting into small boats if your rig needs to be lifted up and not worn up. If you ever go technical and actually need a 5-7 ft hose, that is an easy transition.

This is the way.