Ascents and Air2

[amajamar]

Since I have an Air2 type octo, I am concerned about bleeding the BCD while breathing from it. (It's actually an Oceanic) Since I can't raise it above my head while breathing on it, and pulling the hose is impractical for the same reason, would it me effective to push the exhaust button while the hose is level with my mouth?

I know on some BC's there is a right shoulder dump but my Oceanic does not have one.

Any thoughts, good links, etc??

BTW- I know one way to solve the problem--- get rid of the Air2!

 

[Ken abucs]

What's the matter with:

1) Inhale
2) Remove Air2 from mouth (while keeping airway open)
3) Vent BC (while keeping airway open)
4) Put Air2 in mouth
5) Exhale
6) Repeat

 

[jeraldjcook]

Can you purge air by pulling on you corrugated inflator hose? How about a rear dump?

 

[jsado]

I must say, that is my one and only complaint about my Oceanic Excursion. Why the heck didn't they put a right hand shoulder dump in there?????

 

[markfm]

That "what do we do now?" question is why I'm glad I went the Sherwood Maximus route -- it has a normal LP connection to the inflator/dump hose, so you don't have to switch to a single, integrated, hose.
In theory you are switching to the Air2 because someone else is OOA. You nominally have your right arms locked, or have grabbed each other's shoulder straps, calmed down, ready to ascend. Having to ascend feet first, to use the back dump would fundamentally miss what everyone I've known has been taught, a swimming ascent. Even trying to come up horizontal to use a back dump on the outside edge of a BCD could be more than a bit hairy -- the idea is that it's not just you, but the OOA who should be stressed, needs to stay within reg hose length.

Good luck!
(after deciding to pursue DM, I switched to a standard Octo with a 5' hose -- made my life simpler, and my GF uses the Maximus which is fine for rec diving.)

 

[TSandM]

This was one of the issues that made me switch to a bungied backup. I just couldn't execute a smooth emergency ascent while sharing air. I'm sure it can be done; I couldn't manage it.

 

[markfm]

Need to expand your imagination, people have done such ascents for years, lived to tell the tale.

(I actually use a 5' hose because it gives me better options for some exits, and it's a left-hand regulator -- LPI hose enters from the left instead of the right, which makes for a cleaner handoff to the OOA. If I have to use it myself, no biggie -- the Sherwood Minimus breathes fine upside down.)

 

[charlesml3]

Why not just dump your air out of the BC before you head up? I always do. Maybe I'll add in a bit if I'm negative on my safety stop. Usually I shoot a SMB from 25 feet or so, dump the air from the BC and reel myself up to 15'. I have a handy knot in the string at 15'.

-Charles

 

[TSandM]

mark, was that aimed at me? I didn't say I couldn't imagine it; I said I couldn't pull it off.

 

[MauiScubaSteve]

Why not just dump your air out of the BC before you head up? I always do. Maybe I'll add in a bit if I'm negative on my safety stop. Usually I shoot a SMB from 25 feet or so, dump the air from the BC and reel myself up to 15'. I have a handy knot in the string at 15'.

All that while breathing off an air2 due ooa diver on primary, sounds like fun