2nd-stage isolation valves, care to share your wisdom/experiences ?

[scubafanatic]

OK, I've just bought/installed several Oxycheq 2nd-stage isolation valves on several regs yesterday ( Apeks XTX 200 (2), Mares Ruby (1), Atomic B1 (1), Aqualung Legend Supreme-buddy's reg (1) ) Note, I've only installed these valves on the octos of these reg sets, not the primary 2nd stages.

All these regs are equipped with the flat/puck shaped Apeks Egress octos. This octo has no 2nd stage external diver adjustment mechanism.

Reasons FOR installing :

1) avoid freeflows after giant strides ( off piers/boat decks )
2) avoid freeflows in high current situations

Reasons AGAINST installing:

1) octo might be grabbed by OOA diver while unit in 'Off' position, who's unfamaliar with the presence of the 'switch'.
2) more complexity/O-rings

....my 'plan' is to always 'activate' the unit ( ie. switch it to the 'open' position ) immediately after my water entry, to insure it's immediately deployable during the dive.

.....are any other divers out there using such 'valves', ....what have been your experiences in the field ( good or bad ) ? ...am I missing any major problems with such a configuration not listed above ?

Thanks,

Karl