Do I Really Need An Octopus?

[Walter]

I could continue on and express how juvenile Ana's post is but I'm a professional and I'll just leave it at that.

Seems to me you did just express your opinion that her post was juvenile then claim you didn't. That's not professional, it's dishonest. BTW, her post was not juvenile, it was pointing out that you have every right to choose your buddies using any criteria you want, but how folks dive who are not your buddies is none of your business. You want to control other people and when they object you think they are juvenile. If I were you, I would start looking into my own motives and refrain from name calling.

 

[mfalco]

It's no longer taught by any agency I am aware of. At least not in OW. Maybe in CMAS or BSAC. I learned it in Adv. Nitrox due to the possibility of having to deco on one tank. Great skill to learn, but like many other skills, it's been removed from the OW curriculum.

In the sping of 2005 when I got my OW cert which was a 3 day PADI resort course, we were taught it. We even had to do a 20' ascent while buddy breathing.

Then again from alot of people I've talked to, and what I've read on this board, I think I had a very good instructor.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

In the YMCA ow course it is optional. At the DM level however it is not. I just spent a session in my crossover class where my buddy and I swam two laps around the bottom of the pool while buddy breathing. Second lap our instructor also removed both of our masks. That was fun. He then handed em to us and we replaced and cleared while continuing to buddy breathe. As for someone telling me about my gear- well a DM won't know what I'm using until I gear up and he better keep his hands off of it.

 

[Sonofasailor]

Do I really need an octopus?

are you kidding?

 

[redacted]

Seems to me you did just express your opinion that her post was juvenile then claim you didn't. That's not professional, it's dishonest. BTW, her post was not juvenile, it was pointing out that you have every right to choose your buddies using any criteria you want, but how folks dive who are not your buddies is none of your business. You want to control other people and when they object you think they are juvenile. If I were you, I would start looking into my own motives and refrain from name calling.

Shame on you Walter!! Is that any way to talk to a SCUBA INSTRUCTOR?:blinking:

 

[cgvmer]

No you don't NEED an octopus. nor do you need to be my buddy, nor do you need to be allowed to dive where the boat requires it, nor do you need any way to get out of an oops if your primary fails.

So the answer to the question is NO, the correct question to ask is: What are the reasons I think an octopus would be invaluable.

 

[diver 85]

Diving mainly open water non-technical, no deco in a group or semi-soli. Do I really need an octopus?

Yes you do....really-- unless you a 100% solo diver & don't care that much about yourself.....................GEAUX TIGERS............

 

[stablgr]

Buddy Breathing....

I rememeber what seemed like hours swimming up and down the pool (and several open water dives) sharing air with my buddy. It's a shame that it's a skill that does not seem to be practiced so widely today as it used to. My daughter recently qualified as PADI OW and was not taught this as part of her training. Rest assured she will be spending some time in the pool aquiring this skill.

 

[Ana]

My attentions was not to sound rude. And those that know me know that I'm laid back and love to dive and share my diving experiences. I lead alot of trips and safety is key. You really don't need the seat belt in your car/truck either but in the unlikely event..............Thats right it might just save you or your passengers life. I could continue on and express how juvenile Ana's post is but I'm a professional and I'll just leave it at that. And no need for tattletales, my DM's know who is diving what gear before you ever suit up. Thats the difference between a reputable operation and a don and dip.

I didn't want to imply that your attentions were rude. Your actions would make ME look rude.

The seat belt is what it is, in many states it is illegal do be without them. Whether I use them or not is between me and my driving record, if a stranger approaches me to give me a "nice long talk" about them I will tell them to get out of my face in as much threatening manner as I can muster, and I will be ready to use physiscal force. Why? because to me that type of a approach is not normal, so I better be ready to the next crazy move from this guy.

Just because your friends can say you are laid back, doesn't make the fact that you would approach a stranger and give a "nice long talk" to, makes you less intrusive.

My post could be judged as juvenile, maybe I AM juvenile. My behaviour does not affect you, because if I walk into an operation that you are running we will both know instantly that I don't need to be there, juvenile and all I will be out of there and take my money somewhere else. The issue should end there and every one can be happy.

However what you wrote ealier is a post that I consider to be fascist and totalitarian. You may be laid back among your friends but can't leave someone else without an aditional second stage well along.

Let's just hope you and people like you don't run too often into me and people like me. This way we can both go on without aggravations.

 

[NorthWoodsDiver]

if an octo isnt for you there are 2 other options. and octo type inflater like the AIR 2 or a pony bottle. I dont like having that extra unnecessary hose on my main tank cause its only there if I have an issue with my second stage or if a buddy needs to share air. Well I dont share air, its mine, so I carry a slung aluminum 40 with the same regs as my primary and an extra inflater hose. Obviously that makes me less streamline but in the event I need more air I have plenty and if someone else needs air ts much safer to hand them the bottle and then get the away so they dont kill you too.