Air Buddy Alternate Air

[Doubler]

In an OOA situation how many other divers are familiar with or have trained with this device. I'm thinking none. That reason alone would drive me to buying a standard octopus setup rather than another "Gadget" My 2 cents

 

[redacted]

It is quite easy to insure your pony bottle does not lose gas to a free flow. Turn it off until you need it. But practice turning it on as even that simple sounding task may be difficult to accomplish in the heat of the moment.

 

[NC Wreck Diver]

I may not have explained my contemplated use well. I already have a second regulator integrated into my bc. I was NOT looking to replace my current setup, but to augment it with a pony bottle and the air buddy oct so I would actually have three sources of air. A comment of "I wouldn't even know where to begin" is not a helpful comment from someone just starting the sport and seeking advice from those more experienced. I understand experienced divers don't always have the time to explain basic concepts to newbies and I respect that. No problem - don't reply. If you DO have something constructive to add, and have the time to do so, then thanx in advance.

Gerard.............it sounds like you are getting pissed. To try to answer your question, I have never seen this type of an alternate, redundant system in 25 years of diving. Look at the experience these guys have that are answering you. Everyone knows that we don't have to answer a post. They are trying to give you good advice, from years of experience they have. Maybe not in a pure, technical way, but in a more laid back forum. We know that you are new to the sport, and are interested in learning as much as you can to be safe. We're online here to try to help. Remember, we didn't have this type of information when I got out of OW. You learned by the school of hard knocks.

Just the way someone doesn't have to answer a good question posted by you on your OP, you don't have to read it, or take it seriously. It's your call.

Now, to lighten up, I may have seen these! At the Weeki Wachi swimmers in Tampa, when I was a little kid.

The system looks tough to use. Think about this, if, (God forbid), you ever run out of air from your main tank, you are going to get pretty spooked. I believe if you pick up a regulator second stage that you have been trained on, you will do much better.

 

[LeadTurn_SD]

gerard2004,

I think the Air Buddy might be something to consider using in a swimming pool as a novelty in very controlled conditions.... but I see "drowning" written all over it in a real life OOA (out of air) emergency.... I'd breath off my BC inflator first (yes, you can do that). You might as well just not put a regulator on the pony at all and just breath off the valve (and yes, you can do that too).

But even though you can do something (breath from your BC inflator, breath from a bare tank valve, etc.) why would you want to when there is a far superior solution?

As already mentioned, the Air Buddy is a "solution looking for a problem".

Get a real 2nd stage for use on a pony.

Best wishes.

 

[captain]

Nemrod uses one. I believe for bailout on solo dives.

 

[Thalassamania]

They sent me one to test, back about ten years ago. Frankly I thought that it worked rather well. It is small, easy to wear and easy to use. It does require that you surrender your primary, but that's fine with me. I don't use it routinely, actually I really don't know why. I may go back and try it again for a while.

 

[idocsteve]

From the website linked in the Op:

Order a sample.
The normal price is $79.95 plus $10 Shipping
The sample will be only $59.95 plus shipping.
Includes everything you need to mount it on
any standard BCD quick connect hose.

Ok I'm lost. The price for a "regular one" is $20 more than a "sample". When I think "sample" I think "disposable", as in, "try it out, if you like it throw it away and buy a permanent one".

 

[knowone]

gerard2004
Stick to your guns. Don't be bullied by these gruff rough types.
Heres my rig. Works great.
DIW now and don't look backwards.
Someone may be following.

 

[=C=]

I have one. Its okay.

It was cheaper than a classic octo, lighter, and I use it occasionally as a shop tool. I don't dive with it much. For me it was a curiosity (I have a collection of SCUBA curio).

Oh, and odds are you would have to donate your primary in an emergency because if you handed someone an inflator hose in an OOA situation they may beat you to death with it.

 

[gerard2004]

Thanx for the replies, finally got some good advice surrounded by logic and experience! To answer some, I'm not "getting pissed." I've been on enough boards in different fields to know some people tend to sarcasm rather than facts. You just have to wade sift through the BS to find the pearl. Doesn't mean you have to like the BS! The info I found helpful here is the fact there these aren't widely used, that does say something and for a couple extra bucks I'll likley go with a regular second stage. To reply to some of the other observations,
My plan is always to give up my primary second stage as the air donar, the reg on the bc is for me. HAD I got an air buddy, the same concept would have applied. OOA person gets my primary 2nd stage, I get the air buddy so their experience on one is moot.

I had planned on at least a 13 cu foot pony and mounting it to my main tank. Not sure if I could reach the valve to turn it on in an emergency so I think it would be on all the time.

I like the idea of surfacing on the pony. As stated good practice and insures the reg is operating properly.

Thinking more about the sling instead of the hard mount. Being able to hand it off is a plus.
Thanx for all the replies. All good tips born out of experience!