BP/Wing + Air2 ?

[mahjong]

Hi.

I'm thinking of installing an Air2 on my DiveRite Wing to eliminate a hose, as I have a drysuit hose in addition to the other standard ones. I will be diving cold water off a boat, but only doing recreational dives--no tech diving. Do people use Air2s with wings? Are there any caveats or concerns to consider? There is the obvious one of making sure the corrugated hose can be wrapped to reach my mouth even after securing it with a bungee--but I will run only the inflator hose through the bungee, giving the corrugated hose more freedom of movement.

Thanks for any insights.

 

[The Kraken]

You have opened Pandora's box with respect to the use of an Air2.

But, to ANSWER YOUR QUESTION without getting into the philosophical debate of the pro's and con's of the AIR2 . . .

Yes, you can incorporate an AIR2 with a wing just as you can with any other BC.

Please be prepared for an onslaught of harbingers of death and destruction and the total diametric opposition of the principles of DIR by using an AIR2.

As far as I am aware, no one has ever died as a result of using an AIR2, Air Source, Zeagle "Octo-Plus", etc., etc., etc. . . .

Safe diving . . .
. . . and safer ascents

 

[DA Aquamaster]

The use of an air 2 on a BP wing requires a longer corrogated hose than is fashionable for technically inclined BP/wing owners but you already have that one figured out.

To prevent the danglies with the longer hose you might want to consider holding it against the strap somewhat loosely with a suitably sized piece cut from a trailer inner tube. This will hold the air 2 against the strap and prevent it from hanging away from your body but will also slide up and allow you more hose to use the air 2 as an alternate air source.

 

[Boogie711]

What is the benefit in removing a single hose? I only see four LP hoses here - 2 second stages, a drysuit inflator and a wing inflator.

Does your first stage not have enough ports to handle your hoses???

 

[redacted]

I sewed a piece of velcro tape to the BP strap at the top of my shoulder just above the collar bone (homemade rig with DR travel wing) which captures the LP & corrugated hoses. I also added a loop of bungie thru the D-ring keeper thru which I feed the LP hose. Everything is pretty well contained but accessable for use. Only problem is the bungee loop will occasionally catch on the adjustment knob on my Balanced Adjustable 2nd and we have a short arguement over who is going to get to keep the reg.

 

[mahjong]

Yes--4 LP hoses, but three need to be on my right side, as I dive an old-style Unisuit and the inflator is on the right side of the chest (the exhaust valve is on the left chest). Consequently, the only way I can get the drysuit hose under my right arm is by using the single bottom port on my Scubapr MK20--and if I do this, in order to get the hose shooting off to my right--and to avoid the hose hitting the tank--is to twist considerably my MK20 barrel to the right, which would point the two 2nd stage hoses up in the air a bit, and point the BC inflator hose down a bit. This would work fine--but it's not real clean and seems a bit complicated for a recreational dive off a boat. The Air2--which I've just hooked up to see how it works and feels--makes things a lot cleaner. Honestly, I wouldn't want to be breathing an Air2 down below, if only because there is resistance if wish to move my head in any direction, especially to the left, towards the Air2 hose. So I am still waivering. But otherwise--the rig is cleaner in front and the first stage looks more relaxed.

 

[jonnythan]

IMO, it won't kill you, just be aware of its limitations, be absolutely sure you practice with it often, and have your primary second stage on a long hose.

 

[matt_unique]

Hi.

I'm thinking of installing an Air2 on my DiveRite Wing to eliminate a hose, as I have a drysuit hose in addition to the other standard ones. I will be diving cold water off a boat, but only doing recreational dives--no tech diving. Do people use Air2s with wings? Are there any caveats or concerns to consider? There is the obvious one of making sure the corrugated hose can be wrapped to reach my mouth even after securing it with a bungee--but I will run only the inflator hose through the bungee, giving the corrugated hose more freedom of movement.

Thanks for any insights.

I assume you are diving BP/Wing with a single tank? Obviously if you're diving doubles you would not be saving a hose with this configuration.

An Air2 will work as reliably as a standard BC or wing inflator hose.

--Matt

 

[OE2X]

Honestly, I wouldn't want to be breathing an Air2 down below, if only because there is resistance if wish to move my head in any direction, especially to the left, towards the Air2 hose. So I am still waivering.

If you don't want to breath an Air2 down below then why have it?

Will you feel the same way when you have to breath it?

My advice is to save the money on the Air2 and get a new first stage that will work for you with all the ports you need.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

Honestly, I wouldn't want to be breathing an Air2 down below, if only because there is resistance if wish to move my head in any direction, especially to the left, towards the Air2 hose.

If you are planning to use an Air 2, part of the plan needs to be to start a direct ascent as soon as you have to start using it. The whole concept is really not ammenable to prolonged use or long swims under water. If you are in a situation where you cannot make a direct ascent and have to return to an ascent line, exit a wreck, etc, then you are in a situation where you should not really be using an Air 2. In those tpyes of situations a long hose primary and standard backup reg make a lot more sense.