Air 2 vs Airsource 3

[snowflake4727]

Also by donating your Air 2 you have given an out of air diver control over your bouyancy.

 

[Couv]

As other have pointed out, you donate the primary and breathe off the Alternate/Inflator. Because of this, it is wise to have a longer than standard primary hose. The length depends on the type of diving you're doing. But it is pretty safe to say that a standard 30 inch hose is too short except in ideal conditions (like a swimming pool). While your at it, consider having a short pull cord on the BC's overpressure dump valve to give you more options to release air.

Edit....Hmmmm, I just realized this is a resurrected post and I blabbed all this before...sorry, deja vu all over again.

c

 

[underseasian]

OK, that all makes total sense, but the question still remains:

Why change a perfectly workable system that so many divers have been trained on ('the alternate will ALWAYS be in that magic triangle and be brightly colored') just to have a different system. What are the advantages? Why have Scubapro decided to change from the industry standard?

 

[Couv]

I'm still trying to figure out why (for recreational open water diving) a back up second stage mounted to the same first stage is MANDATORY. I could ask the same question about a SPG vs. a J valve. I'm sure there are lots of other examples and questions such as this. But just remember, change is good....or at least I "hope" it is despite whether I'm for it or not.

 

[redacted]

Because the "perfectly workable system" you refer to often results in the free flying octo that ends up dragged through mud, sand, and rocks until it may no longer reliably function. The integrated octo/inflator is pretty well protected from such fates providing yet another "perfectly workable system". Then there is also the long hose primaries and octo on a necklace that is yet a third "perfectly workable system".

 

[RonFrank]

OK, that all makes total sense, but the question still remains:

Why change a perfectly workable system that so many divers have been trained on ('the alternate will ALWAYS be in that magic triangle and be brightly colored') just to have a different system. What are the advantages? Why have Scubapro decided to change from the industry standard?

If one is diving an air integrated Octo (like the Air II, or Octo+) that will Always be your backup, and you will always donate your primary. This holds true for diving a long hose as well with an Octo. The Octo is bungee'd around the neck, and one donates their primary.

ScubaPro is not behind this, rather diver preference. There are only TWO options, and either is valid depending upon the configuration. You either donate your primary, or you donate your backup. This is what you need to tell your dive buddy before a dive, what to do in an OOO emergency based on YOUR configuration.

There is a chance that an OOO diver is not going to care, and grab YOUR primary regardless of what was decided up front. That lends to the AIRII or long hose setup, which is one reason DIR likes the long hose donation. I think it is more practical during an emergency.

 

[RonFrank]

Because the "perfectly workable system" you refer to often results in the free flying octo that ends up dragged through mud, sand, and rocks until it may no longer reliably function. The integrated octo/inflator is pretty well protected from such fates providing yet another "perfectly workable system". Then there is also the long hose primaries and octo on a necklace that is yet a third "perfectly workable system".

A free flying octo has nothing to do with a "workable system". It has more to do with a diver who does not know how to clip off gear, or does not bother. That is a separate issue all together. When I see divers like this, I generally point it out, and show them how to clip off their gear. If they want to ignore that advice, that is their decision. But my experience is that they are clueless, generally newbies, and happy for any help they can get.