Alternate Inflation Regulators

[jamiei]

the air2 isn't inexpensive and i don't see how you would lose functionality of both if one should somehow fail unless you lose the LP hose in which case, the fact that you have an air2 or not doesn't matter. You can still use the manaul inflate. The air2 is no more prone to mechanical failure than an r190 or r380. In fact, its probably less prone because it will never be dragged along the ground like an octo sometimes is.

how would you lose the power inflator? poor equipment service?

if your air2 freeflowed uncontrollably, you can disconnect it and manually inflate your bcd, how many octo's can you say that about? That's a big plus in my book... if this were the case and your primary happened to go out, then you can reconnect the freeflowing air2 and breath off of it on your ascent just like we were all taught.

 

[runvus4]

Unless I'm mistaken, and I very well may be, all the combo inflator/regulators are single piece units? I'm not familiar with the internal schematics of the regulator intergrated inflators, but at the very least, the octo portion appears to be where one would manually inflate the BC. Would it be impossible for that single piece unit to fail in such a way that both functions are impared?

If my air 2 freeflowed, then in my setup, I could shut it off on an h valve or on a isolator manifold and still manually inflate my BC, similar to what you can do in your setup.... I could also turn the air back on to the failed Air2 for freeflow ascent if needed just as you outlined in your scenario.

It's not that intergrated inflator/regulators are inherently less reliable or more dangerous than seperate units (I see no reason for them to be or not to be at this moment), especially if properly inspected/maintained and owner-familiarized, I just like my way better, for the reasons I outlined previously.

If an intergrated regulator/inflator manufacturer wanted to seriously convert me, then I would want to see these produts tested and compared to other regular regulators, off the top of my head in performance, function, maintanence schedule, durability, and mixed gas compatability (backgas should never be over 40% po2 so it probably isn't a problem, but hey, you never know).

If a few reputable people/publications were to review the intergrated regulator/inflators and were to say that the intergrated units functioned as well as a "normal" 2nd stage, and the use of the regulator function did not interfere with the inflator function, or vice/versa, then that would lay many concerns to rest and someday in the future I might be convinced to give it a try. Till then, I prefer my 2nd stage to be a high quality 2nd stage, and my inflator unit to be an inflator unit.....

 

[Ghostdiver]

runvus4 once bubbled...

If a few reputable people/publications were to review the intergrated regulator/inflators and were to say that the intergrated units functioned as well as a "normal" 2nd stage, and the use of the regulator function did not interfere with the inflator function, or vice/versa, then that would lay many concerns to rest and someday in the future I might be convinced to give it a try. Till then, I prefer my 2nd stage to be a high quality 2nd stage, and my inflator unit to be an inflator unit.....

I'll leave it to you to decide if it's reputable but Rodale's had this to say in 1999: http://www.scubadiving.com/gear/alterair/performance.shtml#D

They don't come out and explicitly support or reject the use of an integrated octo. I am actually going through the same decision process right now and appreciate this discussion. For the last hour, my firm decision is to go with a bungied 2nd. Because I am new to diving and less likely to be totally relaxed in the event of an OOA situation, I am worried about overbreathing a lower performing integrated octo. In addition, I am worried about the task loading of holding the reg in my mouth, dumping air and holding onto my buddy with my right hand while dealing with exhaust bubbles flowing into the right side of my face blocking my view of my buddy. If I were much more experienced and confident in the water, I would be less worried about this, but I think for a beginner, a bungied second makes the most sense.

 

[jamiei]

with the air2, the power inflate is on the same "case", but operates rather independantly of the reg. not much to fail there. the reg is a downstream valve just like the r190/r380 which are both known as good regs. I'd say the valve bodies are almost identical so it stands to reason that when properly serviced and adjusted, you will have identical performance and reliability.

 

[Lead_carrier]

I teach with an AirII and my students learn with it. They are also taught how to use an octo. Once they are certified they can use any system they are comfortable with. I will show them any method they ask about if I am familar with it or get someone in to talk to them about it if I am not. As for the long hoses and bungeed octos, I save that for after open water class.

When I get to do my own diving I still use the AirII for an safe 2nd. I keep my unit serviced and in working order and have complete confidence in it's working ability. If tuned correctly it will not free flow, it also will not breath as smoothly as a primary but it isn't designed to. It's designed to get my backside safely out of the water. That's my opinion and I'm sticking to it.

 

[scubaredneck]

I have a scubapro air 2 on my BCD but I haven't ever used it except as an inflater. It is badly in need of service. I have a seperate octo.

What do you guys think of your Alternate Inflation Regs?



The ScubaRedneck

 

[jamiei]

well, have the dern thing serviced or somebody will see yours fail and say they're crappy regs.

 

[Waterborne]

How are you supposed to add a bungied necklace to something like that?????


If I were me, and I am, I would ditch the idea of an inflator combo and use bungie cord atatched to a backup reg around my neck with a short hose. Nice and streamlined and eliminates that "darn octo hose" problem that people seem to have.

 

[jamiei]

isn't that a possibly dangerous scenario for you DIR guys... cord around the neck sure seems like a entanglement risk, not to mention strangulation... nothings perfect or absolutely right ever. some people buy volvos because they're the "safest car on the road" and a lot of those same people die in their volvos. Nothings perfect there's always danger in diving no matter what you have hanging around what part of your body.

 

[Waterborne]

I have never once been in a situation where my backup reg on my neck was an entanglement possibility let alone a problem. If your entanglement issues are that bad, you cut the stretchable piece of bungie around your neck. It's not like we're attatching these things with braided steal cable or anything. The reg sits as close to me as possible while being comfortable and is routed with the shortest hose possible to eliminate high profile and entanglement. But you are correct in saying that nothing is perfect. Although my reg setup is perfect, perfect for me and that's what matters.