AIR2 and the long hose...

[rkon]

Wouldn't it be better to use a bowline? That knot never comes loose, and since you're not using the long hose for air sharing anyway.......

I always thought that the Air-2 was for use by the diver it's attached to, after donating the primary. The problem with either is that if the diver's panicking, they may be too close for comfort. I've been in a number of OOA situations with a regular primary/octo setup and it's been fine. I much prefer the long hose due to the streamlining when it wraps around your torso, and use the bungeed backup around the neck which can be utilized with no hands, just in case your hands are full at the moment. The long hose can be deployed quickly if you don't wrap it around your neck repeatedly, and you're not wearing a snorkel on your mask.

 

[archman]

The long hose can be deployed quickly if you don't wrap it around your neck repeatedly...

*cough* Not that I'm advocating this method ('cuz it sucks!), but you can deploy your primary pretty dang quick, or at least I can. 3-4 seconds, to be precise. Can't wear a snorkel, however.

 

[murrr77]

Is it just me, or does anyone else not like the idea of wrapping a hose around your neck? I'd feel like I was in a noose (shut up I know I can't spell!)

 

[cyklon_300]

archman's Hangman Special Edition of the long hose is a problem...those of us who route it properly don't have those issues.

And while we're at it, 3-4 seconds to deploy a reg to an OOG diver is an eternity to someone who has nothing to breathe.

 

[Atticus]

archman's Hangman Special Edition of the long hose is a problem...those of us who route it properly don't have those issues.

And while we're at it, 3-4 seconds to deploy a reg to an OOG diver is an eternity to someone who has nothing to breathe.

Archman, I'm sorry, but I have to agree. The hangman special gives me the willies. I'm sorry the long hose arrangement didn't work out for you buddy.

 

[archman]

Archman, I'm sorry, but I have to agree. The hangman special gives me the willies. I'm sorry the long hose arrangement didn't work out for you buddy.

Me too. I wanted to be cool-looking. Demotion back to the standard length primary is quite the letdown. Oh well, I still have spring straps to show off.

As an aside, do other folks with long primaries have trouble with in-water gear donning? With me, the long hose tended to hang down just out of reach, or it got all tangled up when the rig was tossed off the boat. If the second stage was clipped off to a shoulder d-ring, that seemed to make entanglement even worse.

 

[StSomewhere]

I'd feel like I was in a noose (shut up I know I can't spell!)

Noose is one of those words that look wrong even when spelled correctly (which you did).

 

[Atticus]

As an aside, do other folks with long primaries have trouble with in-water gear donning? With me, the long hose tended to hang down just out of reach, or it got all tangled up when the rig was tossed off the boat. If the second stage was clipped off to a shoulder d-ring, that seemed to make entanglement even worse.

I don't have too much of a problem with entanglement with the long hose during inwater donning. I do keept it clipped off, and I always make a conscious check of where the hose is as I get into the unit.

Another option is to breath off the long hose with the bp/w floating on the surface and "swim up into the unit". This works poorly for me since a significant part of my weight is the doubles and backplate, but may work for you if you're in warm water gear.

I can see where you might run into difficulties. Perhaps some practice would alleviate the problem.

I'd like to hear what issues others have had with donning/doffing both single tank rigs and doubles in bp/w setups.

 

[oversea]

The inflator hose length on most wings is not long enough to allow the use of an Air2 style reg. If the hose IS long enough, its too long.
Unlike others, I don't think the use of an Air2 will kill you. I have found a better way and that is what I now use.

MD[/QUOTE]

Is this true? I am ordering a dive rite trek and was considering an air 2 because my other rig uses one so it would be easier to be able to share equipment between rigs.

 

[cortez]

As an aside, do other folks with long primaries have trouble with in-water gear donning? With me, the long hose tended to hang down just out of reach, or it got all tangled up when the rig was tossed off the boat. If the second stage was clipped off to a shoulder d-ring, that seemed to make entanglement even worse.

I've never had trouble donning mine (OMS Comfort Harness, SP G250 on 7' Primary, G250 bungeed backup) in the water, although I don't let the primary 7' hose loose - so to speak. I clip of the second stage to the chest D-Ring, but before doing so, wind the hose two or three times - loosely - to make a small circle. It keeps everything tight until you're ready to don. Then I take the backup and basically hold it to the shoulder strap by tucking it under the primary hose. Once the harness is on, untuck the backup and put the necklace on, unclip the primary unwind and wrap normally (FYI - the hangmans special scares me).

I'm at work right now and don't have a picture of how I get my rig ready for in water donning, but I'll snap one tonight and post it for those that are interested.