3 reg set up

[rbd.dudley]

Has anyone seen a 3 reg set up, one being the alternate air source on the bcd?

 

[Deep South Divers]

Nope.

A standard power inflator on most BCDs can be used as an alternate air source, with or without an actual regulator on it. Push both buttons simultaneously, and you can breathe off of it.

...Which is to say that anyone with a second stage, backup, and power inflator actually has THREE sources of gas. Those who forego a backup regulator for an AIR2 or similar combined regulator and power inflator only has TWO sources to breathe from.

...Plus buddy.

 

[SteveAD]

Absolutely. I have, on occasion, while teaching, set up my gear with both an air2 and a standard octo, so as to be able to demonstrate multiple ooa responses

 

[widget]

Sure, its not an uncommon set up.

Although I agree you can breathe off a standard BC power inflator unit, its a skill which needs to be practised a bit in a controlled enviroment, Its perhaps not something a novice diver, under stressfull conditions should be considering as an alternate air supply.

 

[redacted]

Somewhat like carrying 2 spare tires. If you have some special needs, it would work. Byut if you don't have the special need, I might only add another potential source of leaks and failures (but readily disconnectable).

 

[rbd.dudley]

The reason I asked is on a recent dive a man from England said he was starting to see divers with a primary, an Air2 and an octo. Maybe thats the reason....3 air sources vs. two..... can hand off the octo to a dive buddy and still breath from your primary and have the Air2 as your own back up.

 

[Deep South Divers]

Dunno. Why not three second stages and an AIR2? Plus a Spare Air or two... And a pony bottle...

...Okay, so I'm being a bit of a smartie - but awap's got a great point - at what point does the additional gear and potential leak points outweigh the desire to have redundant gear?

 

[rbd.dudley]

Good point, although I was going to buy all my redundant gear at Deep South Divers

 

[LeadTurn_SD]

The reason I asked is on a recent dive a man from England said he was starting to see divers with a primary, an Air2 and an octo. Maybe thats the reason....3 air sources vs. two..... can hand off the octo to a dive buddy and still breath from your primary and have the Air2 as your own back up.

My guess about what is actually happening in this case is that the divers started with an octo/inflator, and after getting some experience found they did not like it, and added a conventional octo, and kept the octo/inflator since "it was already there".

Or maybe it was "if one backup is good, two are better"?

Best wishes.

 

[Deep South Divers]

Good point, although I was going to buy all my redundant gear at Deep South Divers

Dag-nabbit! Another sale lost!!



Actually, I'm not a shop. I'm a commercial dive operation. We work on boats and docks and salvages and that sort of stuff. We're knuckle-draggers, not instructors, salesmen or charter services.

If we WERE a shop, though, I'd be embarrassed to have one of my students show up with 15 different second stages, all hooked up to ONE first stage, connected to ONE tank. That just wouldn't make any sense.

...It would indicate that I was more concerned about making $20 profit for each additional second stage than the longevity of my student's dive career.

Such shortsightedness in the industry is the reason why a lot of shops are going out of business.

...Of course, that's just my opinion. YMMV.