MichaelMc
Working toward Cenotes
On removing the reg has risks, in short:
- In isolation, yes, though it should be negligible or minimal.
- In the big picture, a brief removal allows a system with advantages overall.
From my post on youtube, (and in case that whole thing just goes away again):
"""
(Alec),
You're comparing to and advocating TAKE of the backup, which few agencies advocate, except BSAC. So visibility is central in YOUR scenario. Most agencies advocate DONATE, with take as only a fallback. Visibility helps the fallback if reg location varies. In PRIMARY donate the location of both regulators is know, so extra visibility adds little, but can be added. But you knew all this already. In comparing options it is important to represent the factors involved accurately, otherwise we are doing a disservice to divers trying to learn and make informed decisions for themselves.
On the donor being without a reg for a few seconds: regulator remove/replace/recovery/exchange are skills to be mastered to a "reasonably comfortable, fluid, and repeatable manner" before progressing past OW pool sessions, according to Padi. Given that, it is surprising that you, with decades of experience, would say this in response to twoknife below: "Removing my primary from my mouth is risky at any time. At the moment my buddy runs out of air, sorry, it's not going to happen if I can help it!"
If removing a reg is so risky, why do we expect OW divers to master it before they progress out of the pool. Or perform a simple underwater step of ensuring their backup works properly. Or encourage them to regularly do a practice air share while hanging out at a safety top. It seems the standards expect that swapping between regulators is an expected part of normal diving and not a thing to be avoided out of apprehension of a high risk. It seems as if you are overstating this risk. Or are focused on students that were not trained properly, to simply open water standards.
You mention easy to deploy as a criteria. This is an area where primary donate excels. Deploying my primary is very fast, it is in my mouth. No fumbling involved in actively getting a reg to the OOA diver. Switching to my backup is very fast, it is always right under my chin. No detachment involved, I just move it up to my mouth. It should take less than 5 seconds to put it in. More likely 2 seconds after I reach for it. But I just had air, the other diver did not.
Primary donate also has the advantage of making the diver a bit more tidy, thus less risk of snagging their reg hose on part of the landscape. It is called the 'streamlined openwater setup' with a 40 inch primary hose. The primary is tucked under the arm, the backup is short and held under the neck. All out of the way and tidy.
Divers should evaluate how comfortable they are with the different options. With the proper facts and explanations. Not inaccurate ones and hyperbole.
"""
- In isolation, yes, though it should be negligible or minimal.
- In the big picture, a brief removal allows a system with advantages overall.
From my post on youtube, (and in case that whole thing just goes away again):
"""
(Alec),
You're comparing to and advocating TAKE of the backup, which few agencies advocate, except BSAC. So visibility is central in YOUR scenario. Most agencies advocate DONATE, with take as only a fallback. Visibility helps the fallback if reg location varies. In PRIMARY donate the location of both regulators is know, so extra visibility adds little, but can be added. But you knew all this already. In comparing options it is important to represent the factors involved accurately, otherwise we are doing a disservice to divers trying to learn and make informed decisions for themselves.
On the donor being without a reg for a few seconds: regulator remove/replace/recovery/exchange are skills to be mastered to a "reasonably comfortable, fluid, and repeatable manner" before progressing past OW pool sessions, according to Padi. Given that, it is surprising that you, with decades of experience, would say this in response to twoknife below: "Removing my primary from my mouth is risky at any time. At the moment my buddy runs out of air, sorry, it's not going to happen if I can help it!"
If removing a reg is so risky, why do we expect OW divers to master it before they progress out of the pool. Or perform a simple underwater step of ensuring their backup works properly. Or encourage them to regularly do a practice air share while hanging out at a safety top. It seems the standards expect that swapping between regulators is an expected part of normal diving and not a thing to be avoided out of apprehension of a high risk. It seems as if you are overstating this risk. Or are focused on students that were not trained properly, to simply open water standards.
You mention easy to deploy as a criteria. This is an area where primary donate excels. Deploying my primary is very fast, it is in my mouth. No fumbling involved in actively getting a reg to the OOA diver. Switching to my backup is very fast, it is always right under my chin. No detachment involved, I just move it up to my mouth. It should take less than 5 seconds to put it in. More likely 2 seconds after I reach for it. But I just had air, the other diver did not.
Primary donate also has the advantage of making the diver a bit more tidy, thus less risk of snagging their reg hose on part of the landscape. It is called the 'streamlined openwater setup' with a 40 inch primary hose. The primary is tucked under the arm, the backup is short and held under the neck. All out of the way and tidy.
Divers should evaluate how comfortable they are with the different options. With the proper facts and explanations. Not inaccurate ones and hyperbole.
"""
