air buddy - alternative Octo reg

[Sprinter]

I recently bought an octopus and my LDS offered this as well. I didn't go for it but wondered how good or bad it really is.

http://divesales.com/buddy/

 

[Boogie711]

I believe Rodales has a term "unsafe at any depth."

I shudder just looking at that - thing. I can't believe manufacturers are allowed to even make some of this stuff.

 

[Delta_P]

I didn't go for it but wondered how good or bad it really is.

Good for you.

How good is it? Bad. Really bad. Really REALLY bad.

If you're more bored than I am right now try looking up the pressure differential necessary to rupture the lungs. If I recall correctly it is less than 10 p.s.i. That's well and truly under the 135 p.s.i. available unregulated through the lp hose.

An ordinary second stage requires the OOA diver to stick it in his mouth and breathe. No special training required. In order to use this widget safely your buddy must be familiar with the special technique for breathing it without risking a lung overpressurization injury. Of course, divers and buddies always remember to review equipment quirks and do an air share drill immediately before descent.

What happens if you are diving with a group and the OOA diver isn't your buddy and hasn't been briefed on this gadget when you hand it off. Confusion can kill in an emergency.

My first BCD was the first model of a USD horse collar to be equipped with a power inflator. Unlike today's models the lp hose connection was male instead of female and had the Shraeder valve exposed on the end. When disconnected from the vest you could operate the Shraeder valve with your finger and breathe directly off the hose. However, as with breathing directly off a cylinder valve, you had to be very careful to keep your mouth open and bubble the air into it, else risk blowing your lungs out.

A parlour trick for the young and stupid, not something for an emergency. Of course, maybe I've missed some recent advances in physiology and breathing directly off a 135 p.s.i. supply is now considered safe.

 

[ElectricZombie]

This "Air Buddy" device is a worthless piece of junk...dangerous junk at that. I can't beleive that this device is even being sold. What type of moron would suggest or actually use this thing?

I would find an new LDS if the "Air Buddy" was their recommendation.

 

[Sprinter]

Thanks for the red flags. Whew!

 

[tholt576]

Hmmm, sounds like we've found a product with less support than the HUB and Spare Air.

 

[ew1usnr]

If it sold for $5, you could at least say that it is cheap. But, this thing retails for $60! You can get a decent 2nd stage of ebay for fraction of that.