A Better Octopus: discussion

[roakey]

mddolson once bubbled...
Just incase you didn't notice,
this has nothing to do with donating the primary or secondary.

Whether you donate the primary or the secodary it is still possible to present the 2nd stage upside down.

"That's what the discussion is about!"

Mike D

It has everything to do with it.

What you're asking is the equivalent of saying:

“Here’s my suggestion for what kind of first aid kit you should carry in your car if you don’t want to wear a seat belt.”

What kind of first aid kit is such a minor consideration in comparison with not wearing a seat belt, it doesn’t warrant discussion.

Discussion what kind of band-aid (a side exhaust regulator) to apply to a horribly flawed OOA response system is the same. Don’t bother discussing it, fix what’s broken (the octo mentality) rather than aspire to such benthic goals as “fixing” only a tiny part of a substandard system.

Roak

 

[large_diver]

I think technique is definitely a big issue. If you practice air sharing technique often, things should be fine regardless of hose length.

IMHO, longer hoses make it much easier, but even air sharing with a long hose takes practice, as I painfully found out in DIRF.......

 

[mddolson]

Roakey bubbled: What you're asking is the equivalent of saying:
“Here’s my suggestion for what kind of first aid kit you should carry in your car if you don’t want to wear a seat belt.”

No I'm comparing using a crowbar or nail puller instead of a hammer to pull nails. Sure, they will all do the job, but one does it better.

I believe the side port 2nd stage is a better choice for the purposes of sharing air. (no more / no less) I don't care if you choose to donate the primary, and/or use a 7 ft hose, or donate the secondary.
The side port eliminates the need for correct orientation (upright/upside down). To me that one less thing to go wrong is a stressed situation.

Clearly if we could prevent OOA situatiuons, this would be a mute point. But the fact remains that OOA situations continue to be the main source of accidents in new divers. (DAN statistics)

Mike D
:blfish:

 

[SubMariner]

On our Octos we had swivels installed (between the hose & the 2nd stage). These allow the octo to be presented in the correct "up" position regardless of hose configuration.

Just thought I'd present another perspective.

~SubMariner~

 

[mddolson]

Submariner bubbled: "we had swivels installed "

Good point Submariner,

I have added a swivel on my 7 ft hose. I found the routing around my neck produced an uncomforable bending torque on the mouthpiece. I find it's now comfortable (less torque on my jay) when I'm using it, and it adds flexibility to the reciever as well, in a share air situation.

Mike D

:blfish: