bergersau
Contributor
I've recently been browsing "The Octopus Conundrum" thread in the solo divers forum and was struck by the number of divers wanting to reduce clutter by removing hoses from their rig. Some are simply removing octopuses or using air 2 style inflators. From other threads I hear of people buying air integrated computers to "lose a hose". Now streamlining gear is a sensible goal but I can't help but think that removing hoses is not always the best solution to hose clutter.
I dive a single tank Hogarthian rig which has two second stage regs, a HP hose with SPG, low pressure inflator for BCD and low pressure Drysuit inflator hose. That's five hoses altogether. I have no 'clutter' at all - except when I dive a wetsuit and don't bother to remove the drysuit inflator hose - that I secure down alongside the left hand side of the tank behind me so it is retained and not an entanglement issue or even noticeable during the dive.
I can't help but think some people simply don't route their hoses efficiently and that they are not using appropriate length hoses or well thought out configurations. They might well be better off simply changing hose lengths and routing rather than trying to eliminate the problem hose. The only reason I see to remove a hose is to remove a perceived point of failure. Then you need to ask the question "What am I sacrificing in removing this item?".
I'd like to hear other peoples thoughts on this.
I dive a single tank Hogarthian rig which has two second stage regs, a HP hose with SPG, low pressure inflator for BCD and low pressure Drysuit inflator hose. That's five hoses altogether. I have no 'clutter' at all - except when I dive a wetsuit and don't bother to remove the drysuit inflator hose - that I secure down alongside the left hand side of the tank behind me so it is retained and not an entanglement issue or even noticeable during the dive.
I can't help but think some people simply don't route their hoses efficiently and that they are not using appropriate length hoses or well thought out configurations. They might well be better off simply changing hose lengths and routing rather than trying to eliminate the problem hose. The only reason I see to remove a hose is to remove a perceived point of failure. Then you need to ask the question "What am I sacrificing in removing this item?".
I'd like to hear other peoples thoughts on this.