Can I route the octo to the left side instead of the right?

[DazedAndConfuzed]

Hi,

I sometimes use my wife's octo when I am low on air and want to only use the remainder of my air when ascending and safety stop. Thus I am usually swimming parallel to her with the octo. The problem is when the octo is routed to the right of her and I have to be to the right of her, thus the octo comes to my mouth upside down. What I usually have to do is do a twist to the octo, thus making the effective length of the hose shorter and I have to swim pretty close to her.

If I route the octo to the left side of her, then I can be on the left of her and use the octo much more effectively. I presume it should not be an issue, but would it freeflow when it is clipped upside down? Or maybe this is a non-conforming setup?

 

[Tortuga68]

Yes you can

 

[Insta-Gator]

We were taught back in the 80's that the octo should route to the left, under the arm. When given to the OOA diver in front of us it becomes right-side up. Not designed for parallel/tandem diving.

If you do this frequently, I'd say this is a potentially dangerous practice.

 

[Jerry_]

While I don't see much of a technical issue in changing from right to left, I would however consider that the octo should in first place be a backup for the diver himself ( i.e. It should first fit his/her needs in case of trouble), while still be available to the buddy, who would have to accomodate to the way it is placed.

If you intend to do breath frequently on your buddy's regulator you might want to look for regulators like the Cyklonhttp://www.poseidon.com/products/regulators-gauges/cyklon produced by Poseidon and add an extra long tube to it.


(Btw adding a long tube would add to your comfort, while removing the twist issue. Check with your local store for longer tubes.)

 

[Damselfish]

You might consider getting an octo where it doesn't matter which way is up, such as the Apeks Egress or Aqua Lung ABS.

 

[Diver0001]

Hi,

I sometimes use my wife's octo when I am low on air and want to only use the remainder of my air when ascending and safety stop. Thus I am usually swimming parallel to her with the octo. The problem is when the octo is routed to the right of her and I have to be to the right of her, thus the octo comes to my mouth upside down. What I usually have to do is do a twist to the octo, thus making the effective length of the hose shorter and I have to swim pretty close to her.

Well... the good news is that you're doing that part right.

If I route the octo to the left side of her, then I can be on the left of her and use the octo much more effectively. I presume it should not be an issue, but would it freeflow when it is clipped upside down? Or maybe this is a non-conforming setup?

Back in the day that was the standard configuration. I think it slowly got migrated to the right side because there was a growing awareness that the octopus is for your own use as well as for your buddy. Instead of moving the hose, if you spend a lot of time using her octopus while swimming then just swap out the 2nd stage for one where it doesn't matter what orientation the 2nd stage is in. They'll have an exhaust vent either on the side or it will be a design that looks symmetrical no matter how you hold it. The aqualung ABS is one like that.

By the way, another option you have if she's a lot better on air than you are is for you to simply use a larger tank.

R..

 

[aquaregia]

Consider a 7' hose for this. Much easier to share air.

FWIW I think the Aqualung ABS is perhaps the worst-breathing regulator I've ever used.

 

[ams511]

Consider a 7' hose for this. Much easier to share air.

FWIW I think the Aqualung ABS is perhaps the worst-breathing regulator I've ever used.

My experience with that regulator is the same.

 

[rhwestfall]

ah, the long hose beckons......

 

[HowardE]

Many of the Apeks second stages have options to port the hose from either the right or left side, which would make this no problem.

Also, as stated, the Posiedon with Servo valve second stage can go either up or down (left or right hose routing), and breathe the same.