Bungee'd Octo

[ucladiver]

Although I'm not ready to go completely DIR I do like the idea of a bungee'd second around the neck. Where does one get this bungee (Home Depot?) and how do you attach it to your octo?

Thanks

 

[voidware]

I got my bungee at a climbing shop. Usually Marine Stores (west marine, etc.) and dive shops have it. I couldn't find any of the thickness I needed (~1/8") at hardware stores.

When tying it on some people use the mouthpieces zip tie. I tied (using three or four half-hitches, really tight) one end of the bungee to the other bungee to form a T and then tied the loose end to the original bungee forming a small loop that slides tight. Just place it around your mouthpiece and pull it really tight. I hope that makes sense.

Last time I was at the quarry I also saw a guy that just put a plactic octo hold on a string around his neck and then fitted his octo there. It keeps it available, but doesn't allow hands-free operation.

brandon

 

[Wendy]

I'll be in cave country this weekend and they sell them already fixed up there, you just slip the mouth piece into the loop and pull/ They are between $5 -$8 I think, but not sure. If you want me to pick you up one, let me know, I don't mind. Just message me your mailing address.

 

[TexasMike]

Instead of bungee or shock cord, I am using silicon tubing. And i've got it looped like described above where the mouth piece fits through. See the photo I've included.

As far as sources for tubing, check out the medical supply places. You may have to order a large roll, but like duct tape, there are always plenty of uses for stretchy tubing. Including selling it to other divers.

 

[Uncle Pug]

I have two rigs... one set up with the bungee and one set up with the surgical tubing...

I have had the bungee pull out of the mouthpiece ziptie twice but the surgical tubing never has slipped... it just breaks...

I do have a backup necklace made from surgical tubing set up to slip over the mouth piece as others have described... I use small zipties to fasten the ends of the tubing together overlapping by an inch or so... it stretchs open to get the small loop over the mouthpiece...

Shane uses the bungee and has never had his pull loose... he is more careful putting his on and taking it off that I am...

Westmarine carries the small bungee...

 

[Lloyd]

Get surgical latex tubing from www.reefscuba.com and zip tie it on the mouthpiece.
Lloyd

 

[O-ring]

In almost every diameter imaginable...

 

[ucladiver]

Thanks for all the advice everyone. I'm actually off for three days on Catalina this weekend and I want to get this set up for the trip. I'll let you know what I end up doing.

By the way, just out of curiosity, are there any arguments AGAINST the bugee'd second? I have read all the arguments for and seen the DIRIII video (its the visual in there that really convinced me), but I have never heard anything bad about it. Why doesn't everyone do it? Just curious. Thanks

 

[ucladiver]

Wendy,

Thanks for the offer, you are too kind. As I said I would like to get this setup before this weekend so I doubt it is feasible. Thanks again. Enjoy your dives this weekend.

 

[Scuba446]

I have purchased both bungee and surgical tubing from REEF SCUBA as well. I, however, used surgical tubing on mine since it compressed better udner the zip tie on the reg mouthpiece and hence, no 'lumps'...