Ditch the 7 ft. hose

[artek]

For shame, artek. I wouldn't wish golf on anybody.

mia culpa

btw. i am iso 7' golf clubs, anyone?

 

[Twomixdiver]

Hey,
I've been using a 7ft. hose for a few months now. I just started my dive master job and am finding that it is becoming a hassle(comes unwrapped from my belt underwater, gets wrapped around the ladder when I am trying to clip a rope to the ladder so the captain can pull it up, gets hung up when i'm trying to tie in the hook to a wreck). I feel that if I was diving a few times a month and did not have the above responsibilities that it would not bother me. But having to dive twice a day for the entire summer is making me think about going back to a normal hose length.

If you read the GUE standards #5, the need for a long hose is optional in shallow (i.e. single tank) diving. (http://www.gue.com/Equipment/Config/index.html)

If you go to (http://www.wkpp.org/images/pina_equip/OW_rig2_r.jpeg), GI3's open water rig shows the "long" hose to be an standard length octopus hose.

As a dive professional myself, I can relate to above mentioned problem, that's why I have switched back to using a standard length octo hose as my primary "long hose".

 

[Vie]

If you go to (http://www.wkpp.org/images/pina_equip/OW_rig2_r.jpeg), GI3's open water rig shows the "long" hose to be a standard length octopus hose.

Actually, GI3 used a standard deco/stage bottle hose (40") for his OW rig. The "standard length octopus hose" varies from 33-38".

 

[MonkSeal]

In an emergency air share would you be able to get it out from under there in enough time to properly donate it? I guess this would depend on how tight your waist strap is--apparently it isn't too tight, which would probably allow you to get it out in time but why risk it?

1st step in donation doesn't include untucking the long hose. However, your waist strap can't be so tight that you can't untuck the hose.

 

[DIR-Atlanta]

If you read the GUE standards #5, the need for a long hose is optional in shallow (i.e. single tank) diving. (http://www.gue.com/Equipment/Config/index.html)

That document doesn't address actual hose length, and only refers to use of the "long" (i.e. 7 foot) hose. If you check the official GUE standards, then you will find that it explicitly calls for either a 5 or 7 foot hose for OW diving.

For what it's worth, I have been using a 7 foot hose exclusively for single tank OW diving since about 1998 (both with and without a can light), and have never had any issues with it as long as it was stowed properly. There are several benefits to the 7 foot hose for OW diving, and no real drawbacks. Specifically, the few times I have had to share gas with it, I was very happy to have the extra length, and anything shorter would have made the situation much more difficult to manage.

 

[amascuba]

The only problem I have with a 5 foot hose is that the hose comes directly underneath your arm pit. If you have a backup light clipped off to your right shoulder than the hose gets in the way. IMHO. Also, I've noticed with a 5 foot hose that it interferes with my right shoulder d-ring and makes clipping lights, 2nd stages, etc off to it a little more task loaded because you have to move the hose out of the way. The 7 foot hose is much more managable IMHO. I just put the 2nd stage in my mouth, turn my head to the left, take out the slack in the hose, and tuck the slack in my waist strap. It works quite well that way and haven't had any problems yet.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

If you are a little larger around the chest and shoulders, a 5' hose can be just a bit short and in that case a 6' hose will do the job without the extra lenght of a 7' hose.

 

[SparticleBrane]

1st step in donation doesn't include untucking the long hose. However, your waist strap can't be so tight that you can't untuck the hose.

I didn't quite word it as well as I hoped, sorry.
The question still stands, though--would he be able to donate it if it was under his waist strap? Personally I'd rather not be the guy who needs air in that situation.

 

[Dan Gibson]

Yes.

I didn't quite word it as well as I hoped, sorry.
The question still stands, though--would he be able to donate it if it was under his waist strap? Personally I'd rather not be the guy who needs air in that situation.

 

[radinator]

Not 'under', think 'tucked into'.