AIR 2 question

[ShallowDiverDave]

Do all AIR 2 configurations have the capability to oraly inflate their respective BCD's? For example, does the scubapro AIR 2 design that the knighthawk uses allow oral inflation?

 

[bolantej]

yes. the AIR 2 on the Knighthawk, and every other integrated power inflator/regulator combo I know of does. Anyone correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[Jasonmh]

Do all AIR 2 configurations have the capability to oraly inflate their respective BCD's? For example, does the scubapro AIR 2 design that the knighthawk uses allow oral inflation?

Yes, the AIR2s do allow for oral inflation, on any BC.

 

[ShallowDiverDave]

thanks a bunch guys !

 

[crispix]

I had to do just that . . . got an Atomic SS1 fitted to my knighthawk, not realizing it has a non-standard connector for the hose from the first stage. (It came with a hose with the right connector, of course, I just didn't realize I had to swap hoses.) Got to the beach, realized the error of my ways, and had to dive without a power inflator. It manually inflates just fine, although the BC tends to fill up with water.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

It manually inflates just fine, although the BC tends to fill up with water.

When the large square button is fully depressed, it closes off the exhaust port so that all your exhaled air enters the BC's corrogated hose.

The problem is that in between breaths, there is a small volume of water that fills this space within the AIR 2 that is then blown into the BC itself. The solution however is to depress the button about half way, start to exhale and then a very short time later (as soon as you have expelled the water in the Air 2 out the exhaust valve, fully depress the knob and continue exhaling into the Air 2 to orally inflate the BC. With a little practice and timing you can efficiently orally inflate the BC without blowing any water into it.

 

[Chad Carney]

crispix,

Be sure to let off the deflate button right away, closing the port to the BC. This will also help keep the water entry to a minimum.

A diver breathing on an AIR II or similar designed AIR can also vent the BC without removing it from his mouth, by half valving the deflate button during exhalations.

Chad

 

[torrey]

I had to do just that . . . got an Atomic SS1 fitted to my knighthawk, not realizing it has a non-standard connector for the hose from the first stage. (It came with a hose with the right connector, of course, I just didn't realize I had to swap hoses.) Got to the beach, realized the error of my ways, and had to dive without a power inflator. It manually inflates just fine, although the BC tends to fill up with water.

There's an adapter available to keep you from having to switch hoses. I realized too late when I was at Athens Scuba Park and wanting to try out a used Scubapro Seahawk I had bought that had a normal inflator. Luckily, I had also brought my Scubapro Accent with Air2 so I could compare which one I liked better for upcoming trips. When I realized my inflator hose was specific to my Air2 on the Accent, I just decided to dive with the Accent. I didn't realize the on-site shop had the fitting I needed until after I was done diving. Here's one I found on ebay for those that might be interested (edit: this is only one of several various Air2 adapters available)

http://cgi.ebay.com/HOSE-ADAPTER-CO...oryZ1300QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[crispix]

The solution however is to depress the button about half way, start to exhale and then [...] fully depress the knob and continue exhaling.

Brilliant. Is this unique to AIR2 / SS1 devices, or do all power inflators work this way? I've been DIW!