Air 2 AND Octo

[Clammy]

Hi,

I normally dive with a Scubapro Air 2 but lately I've been thinking of getting an octo because I think most people might expect to find an emergency second on the right side of a diver, especially in a panic situation. Also, this would make faster deployment for my buddy as well as the extra length of the hose.

I was actually thinking of getting an octo in ADDITION to the air 2 rather than replacing it. However, I was thinking that this is another point of failure/free flow although I've never had a free flow issue at all with my air 2.

What are peoples opinions on having an octo AND an air 2?

If I were to get an Octo, I was originally thinking of a full second stage traditional octo or a detuned second stage octo. But then the cheap compact octos look nice to stow and would probably have the least chance of free flowing.

What are peoples opinions on the different types of Octos? expensive, cheaper, etc?

 

[charlesml3]

OK I guess. Maybe you're the type that wears a belt and suspenders at the same time?

I use a Zeagle Octo-Inflater and just brief my buddy before we hit the water. Besides, if we need it my buddy will be taking my primary and I'll be taking the Octo Inflater.

-Charles

 

[SteveAD]

I know several instructors who dive air2 and octo.

As charles said the philosophy behind the air2 is that the primary is donated the air2 is for use by its owner only. The reg in your mouth will always be the easiest one for the ooa diver to find.

Just a thought, many people find the standard length primary hose uncomfortable for air sharing, I use an air2 and have a 7 foot hose on my primary.

 

[Clammy]

OK I guess. Maybe you're the type that wears a belt and suspenders at the same time?

I use a Zeagle Octo-Inflater and just brief my buddy before we hit the water. Besides, if we need it my buddy will be taking my primary and I'll be taking the Octo Inflater.

-Charles

No, I don't wear suspenders and a belt... but the necktie & bow tie combination always works well!

Actually, I was more concerned about panicked divers because I'd rather them grabbing at my octo than my primary and I doubt they would take the time to tell me they are out of air if they are panicking.

 

[BDSC]

This is my thought on the AIR II. I have been diving with an AIR II since I was certified back in 1990. I have never had a problem with one. I have also never had to use it in an OOA situation. If I were in that situation, I probably would find the person OOA, if they were in a panic, would just grab my regulator anyway. So I would just use my AIR II and then accend. Some people say it's uncomfortable, etc. But it's only going to be used in an emergency situation and that will happen very very infrequently. So I'm not too concerned with that aspect of it. I also will take it from time to time during a dive and use it for a few minutes and it all works out just fine.

What I do like is the benefit of not having to have an extra hose to deal with. I think my equipment is a little more streamlined by not having the extra hose and regulator. I also think because it's a part of my inflator and I'm use to reaching for that now and then, it would be more instinctive for me to grab that instead of finding an extra reg. that I would hardly ever touch.

So for me, the benefits of having it far outweigh anything that would be negative about having it, which I haven't found one yet. I'd stick with what you have and save the money.

BDSC

 

[SteveAD]

No, I don't wear suspenders and a belt... but the necktie & bow tie combination always works well!

Actually, I was more concerned about panicked divers because I'd rather them grabbing at my octo than my primary and I doubt they would take the time to tell me they are out of air if they are panicking.

If they're panicking they're as likely to go for the primary no matter what your configuraton is. The air2 diver has the advantage that he expects to give up the primary and "find the air2 and start breathing from it" is a pre-planned skill set, whereas the octo diver who gets his primary snatched has to go to the octo that the ooa diver was SUPPOSED to take.

My thinking is that we are not SUPPOSED to run out of air, therefore the person who has run out of air can not be counted on to do what they are supposed to do. Therefore I plan on the ooa diver doing what is easiest for him regardless of what he might have been briefed.

 

[Clammy]

If they're panicking they're as likely to go for the primary no matter what your configuraton is. The air2 diver has the advantage that he expects to give up the primary and "find the air2 and start breathing from it" is a pre-planned skill set, whereas the octo diver who gets his primary snatched has to go to the octo that the ooa diver was SUPPOSED to take.

My thinking is that we are not SUPPOSED to run out of air, therefore the person who has run out of air can not be counted on to do what they are supposed to do. Therefore I plan on the ooa diver doing what is easiest for him regardless of what he might have been briefed.

good point. Maybe I'll just opt for a pony or a bail out!

 

[digital_steve]

Keep the air2 and add a long hose to your primary