Alternate Air Source and BP/W set up

[ND4466]

Currently I am looking at purchasing a new BC by next spring. I've been looking at a Seaquest Black Diamond, a Balance or going to a Halcyon Eclipse.

Well I have a question that will likely be considered sacriligious to many, so please be gentle with your replies.....

Can a Air II or Air Source be used with a Halcyon wing setup?

I'm just trying to come up with a way to have less stuff hanging off me. I am not a DIR type - yet. Also I am still a newbie to diving (only 6 open water dives) and where I live there is no DIR-F style courses here in North Dakota.

I've always been interested in a Black Diamond, but the more I see a BP/W setup, the more I am getting interested.

Thanks,

66

 

[Vie]

I don't recommend using AIR 2 because of problems you may experience when you attempt to share air and control buoyancy, i.e. in a controlled ascend, at the same time. Anyway, there's a lot of info that you can search for on Scubaboard with regards to the pro and cons (mostly cons!) of AIR 2.

You will also find that the AIR 2 will not fit on many non-Scubapro corrugated hose. You will need some kind of an adaptor.

I'm not DIR but I would still advise you (being an ex-AIR 2 user myself) to avoid the AIR 2. You will be so much better off with a regular second stage as your octopus/back up.

 

[archman]

Most of the halcyon users on this board are tech divers and don't use alternate inflator regs, so they won't be much help. I trust you've already asked your halcyon dealer about compatibility? The AIR 2 will fit regardless, but may need one of those adapter thingies. CelticRaven recently had a problem with his adapter, so you may want to read this:
http://www.scubaboard.com/t58991-.html

For info on attaching an AIR2 to a diverite bladder, and some links to adapters, click this link.
http://www.scubaboard.com/t70748-.html

Can't track down the links for all the adapters, sorry.

 

[Dryglove]

One big problem with using a air2 with a halcyon eclipse is there is not a right side shoulder dump which means you have to vent your expanding air on ascent from your BC through the Air2 or the bottom dump valve which is near impossible with a standard length reg hose. Its bad enough being task loaded while sharing air on a standard length reg hose but to have to vent air through a air2 makes matters worse. I kicked the air2 habit long ago and would recommend a octopus over the air2 if the long hose set up doesnt suit you.

 

[archman]

One big problem with using a air2 with a halcyon eclipse is there is not a right side shoulder dump

what's wrong with yanking on the left side pull dump? I trust the halcyon has one hooked to the inflator, like most everybody else? Heck, it's easier to find too... just tug on the bloody hose, you can do it just fine while breathing off the AIR2. I haven't even bothered to see if my new TransPac even HAS a right shoulder dump.

 

[Dryglove]

what's wrong with yanking on the left side pull dump? I trust the halcyon has one hooked to the inflator, like most everybody else? Heck, it's easier to find too... just tug on the bloody hose, you can do it just fine while breathing off the AIR2. I haven't even bothered to see if my new TransPac even HAS a right shoulder dump.

Sorry but there is nothing to yank. The halcyon is not equipped with a pull dump.

 

[archman]

Sorry but there is nothing to yank. The halcyon is not equipped with a pull dump.

So the rig has neither a right side shoulder dump, or a left side inflator dump? Eegads, what'd they do that for? What do you do if the inflator fails, flip over and use the rear dump?

 

[jepuskar]

Actually, horizontal ascents are preferred so the rear dump is primarly used when ascending anyway. The only time I use the inflator dump is when descending from the surface and when I think I have a pocket of air that I cant get out horizontally. In this case, I get vertical briefly...dump any air and then get back horizontal.

 

[Dryglove]

So the rig has neither a right side shoulder dump, or a left side inflator dump? Eegads, what'd they do that for? What do you do if the inflator fails, flip over and use the rear dump?

Just like Jep said. When ascending in a horizontal position you mostly use the bottom dump. Halcyon believes in simplicity(2 dumps). When you think about it how many dumps does a bc need. My previous bc(knighthawk) had more ways to dump than i knew what to do with including a bottom dump, right shoulder dump, inflator/deflator dump and pull dump. Personally i always thought a pull dump was a bad idea.

 

[archman]

Unfortunately, very few divers ascend horizontally. I for one can't even recall seeing the technique EVER. ND4466, unless you've had the rare good fortune to be trained this way, I'd reconsider the halcyon rig. If your inflator gets stuck during an ascent, all you've got left is the rear dump which over 95% of divers are not trained to use properly. You've only got a few dives under your belt, so it's likely you're still tweaking the basics. Stuck inflators are one of the few gear problems I've seen a lot, both personally and with my students. It can be a major annoyance, and bloody dangerous. I'll prefer to have that shoulder dump very much, thank you.

There's other perfectly great BP/Wing setups that do have shoulder dumps. DiveRite. I think Oxycheq too, though I can't locate that info on their website. You can compare them to the Halcyon rigs... the new OxyCheq Signature Series bladders seem to be quite popular.

There's nothing wrong with the Black Diamond though. Has a lot of positive feedback and great reviews from the diving community. One of my pals has one.