AIR2 'legal' outside US ?

[tgsmith]

This is NOT a question about AIR2 vs Octo (please ;-)

Per the OP, please keep to the subject. This conversation has nothing to do with what you think about the viability of an Air2.

 

[redacted]

Per the OP, please keep to the subject. This conversation has nothing to do with what you think about the viability of an Air2.

The OP can set the stream in motion. But it will seek its own course.

 

[RAWalker]

......perhaps those AIR2 thingy's SHOULD be made illegal though ???

And maybe an IQ test should be required to see what equipment would be to confusing for an individual or if the individual should even be allowed to attempt a openwater certification.
Walking, talking and breathing aren't qualifications for even being a humanoid these days. Just because a diver qualifys as a open water diver doesn't make them qualified to choose equipment for themselves let alone make choices for me. Even a diver with thousands more dives than I have can't make a judgement for me without a complete understanding of the conditions I dive in, my training, and my condition and even then they will be making just an educated guess at best.
Maybe Integrated Octo use proficiancy should be a OW standard and then let divers decide whether or not to use one after they have demonstrated both an understanding of it's use and the ability to control their accent while using one. I'm a firm believer that not teaching student divers to control their buoyancy manually with both the inflator and dump valves is a shortcoming of OW training.
Are we saying that people can't control their accent because the Integrated Octo is in their mouth? If that is it then it is a training problem that should be worked out earlier than before they are making equipment choices. The Integrated Octo is a great piece of gear for people that have a good understanding and control of their buoyancy and want to streamline their rig. IMHO the only problem with it is poor training and preparation for it's use in real life situations. That coupled with a weak minded fear of it's use because of that lack of preparation.

 

[hg frogman]

As a French diver, I am sure an AIR2 is not illegal in France as the only alternate air source for "common" diving (including so-called "recreational diving" = 40 meters max/no deco, which is an American concept but not a French one).

There are many French regulations that are quite specific to France (such as every guide or instructor on duty must dive with two first stages on Y or H valves, or twinset).

And you won't be allowed to do (for instance) ice-diving or cave-diving or Trimix diving, if the dive center estimates you don't have the right gear (two separate first stages will be required for ice diving, for example). But this is common sense.

There are also some issues about non-French certifications, apart from PADI OWD (check in advance with the dive centers you're planning to dive with, as this can vary from place to place).

But nothing about the AIR2 so far. Some French divers do use them in their home waters.

 

[divingguru]

I've never heard of this either, I can't imagine any government would start to make laws about specific pieces of diving equipment.

 

[vladimir]

.....

 

[QatarDiver]

So it seems that apart from Israel, no legal problems. Another good reason not to visit Israel!
(as for whether you like an Air 2 or not, that's opinion, sort or Protestant/Catholic thing, not expecting any consensus there!) For me, it does the business, one less hose and dangly thing, and can always be found easily, but then that's just my opinion, etc.

 

[halocline]

Do you think there's a country that could make jacket BCs illegal? I'd be tempted to make a small political donation.....

 

[FishOutUvH2O]

I've never heard of this either, I can't imagine any government would start to make laws about specific pieces of diving equipment.

As strange as it may be, we occasionally run across these things here in the U.S. For example; Laguna Beach, CA has an ordnance requiring divers to have a snorkel. Lifeguards are authorized to issue a citation and prevent water entry if you don't have one.

So, even though I have never heard of laws elsewhere in the world forbidding the use of an integrated safe-second, I wouldn't put it past someone to have one. It does illustrate the point that a person should ask about the rules or laws of a place before going.

 

[drdaddy]

Do you think there's a country that could make jacket BCs illegal? I'd be tempted to make a small political donation.....

Thank you for the laugh this morning!!!!

I love my jacket BCD - SeaQuest Pro-QD!!!

I'm still smiling!