Air3 on BP/W setup

[RAWalker]

First let me say I'm no a tech diver, cave or wreck diver.
That said I do dive a BP&W and use a integrated octo and 5' primary hose.
If you take the time to practice with the Integrated Octo it really isn't difficult to control buoyancy at all.
The only other problem becomes the posibility of a runaway inflator requiring the disconnection of air supply from the octo. This is highly unlikely during a OOA accent as you will be dumping air from your wing not adding. If it happens any other time as a safety you can thumb the dive and make a safe accent.
If you are headed towards technical specialties that in itself may govern your choices but for normal recreational diving the simplicity of my reg set is a sweet thing as I also use a AI wireless computer to further reduce the clutter of my regs.
The other thing to consider is if you are going to use a pony bottle or doubles this could also weigh in on your decision.

 

[RJP]

Air3 on BP/W setup

A combo LPI/octo is like one of those little donut spare tires: they both seem like a really great idea, right up until the point that you actually need to use it for its intended purpose.

 

[Scared Silly]

A combo LPI/octo is like one of those little donut spare tires: they both seem like a really great idea, right up until the point that you actually need to use it for its intended purpose.

Way OT - My wife had one of those tires. Worked good enough to drive the 3 miles down the freeway to the next town. Which was lucky cause we were the middle of Idaho. Only problem it was Sunday at 5pm and none of the tires stores were open and the flat could not be fixed. That week we bought a new wheel and real tire - nothing worse than being stuck for the night because of a flat.

 

[skimphish]

now just making sure, but we are talking a 5 foot hose right? to me that just seems so long! a good 1 1/2 feet longer than my current octo hose.

 

[RAWalker]

Yes, a 5 foot hose. 7 foot hoses are also available and are commomly used by cave and wreck divers. It allows a buddy pair to swim single file while in a confined area and still share air.

 

[redacted]

now just making sure, but we are talking a 5 foot hose right? to me that just seems so long! a good 1 1/2 feet longer than my current octo hose.

Yes, a 5ft hose or longer and it goes on your primary. You route the hose under your right arm, across your chest, and around the back of your neck leaving the 2nd stage comfortably reaching your mouth with enough slack to turn your head freely in either direction and no excess hose hanging out away from your body where things can snag on it. You then hand that primary off to another diver in an OOA emergency, if they don't grab it directly out of your mouth to begin with. (For some reason an OOA diver is often attracted to the bubbles of a clearly working regulator.) Then you take your alternate which is always right below your chin and you are both back in the breathing business. The long hose going to the OOA diver leaves you more options in terms of the 2 divers controlling their joined ascent. You can grab him by the BC and take control all the way. Or, if you both remain (or regain) calm, you can use the extra couple feet of separation to each control your individual coordinated ascent. Or, if you are just practicing (which you will want to do fairly regularly) you can continue the dive in that mode for a few minutes simulating an ascent.

 

[fisheater]

When I got my 7' hose I was agasp. Damn that's long! There's no freakin' way that will ever work without getting in my way all the time.

Then, I dove with it.

It was easy to stow and out of the way the entire dive. S-drills, where I handed it off to my "OOA" dive buddy/mentor, went very smoothly. Re-stowing the hose was a breeze, even the first time.

I don't have (yet) a can light, so I wore my EMT shears & holster in its place. The hose ran under that, around my chest and from behind my neck to my mouth. Without the big loop from my first stage, like my original "stock" setup, I noticed that I had zero issues with the "kelp monster" grabbing for my reg.

In short, don't fear the long hose.

 

[skimphish]

alright, so i need to look at getting a 5' or 7' hose. does anyone have a pic of their setup? like on them?

 

[buddhasummer]

If you anticipate ending up with a long hose/bungeed octo(and you do, if you're looking forward to cavern/cave training), why not just start off that way and skip the Air3? Since you have a BP/W to start, you'll have no problem stowing the extra hose. Until you get a can light, you can just stuff it down your waist belt in front.

Or you could puchase the "cannister light simulator" from DSS its $15, check it out on their web site.

 

[fisheater]

Or you could puchase the "cannister light simulator" from DSS its $15, check it out on their web site.

Or, you can mount your EMT shears / holster where the can light would go.