Hose length for Rec only diver

[RJP]

One might conclude from all the "thumbs up" and other bizarre hand signals in RJP's dorky-diver pics that dangling hoses cause divers to end dives sooner and be unable to signal intelligible numerical values.

"WHO doesn't know proper scuba hand signals? THIS GUY... that's who!"

 

[halocline]

I am already excluding a 5' as I may as well just use the 40" (with a swivel) I have on my octo and save money. They would both sit similarly on my body it seems for streamlining.

No they do not. The 40" hose simply loops under your right arm and comes back up to the regulator. The 5' hose routs similarly to the 7' hose, except it goes across your chest instead of being looped under the canister light, then (both 5' and 7') over your left shoulder and around behind your head to the 2nd stage. The 5' and 7' hoses feel pretty similar, the difference being that extra 2' must be tucked under something. This makes it less convenient in OW.

Again, if you are really interested in learning about this for yourself rather than listen to an argument, for the third time get a hose coupler from divegearexpress, it's only a few dollars, then you can easily link together conventional hoses and try different lengths and routings until you find what works best for you. It's not rocket science.

 

[cib]

The rocket science comes in receiving a delivery! No postal service here in Qatar!

 

[halocline]

The rocket science comes in receiving a delivery! No postal service here in Qatar!

Oh....maybe there are some tech divers around there you can borrow long hoses from.

 

[cib]

That's my hope. The vast majority of LDS and divers here are PADI through and through so no long hoses but I've seen one LDS with a OWS rig being set up in the window so there is hope yet that they may stock something in the near future.

 

[Akimbo]

…
However, in 99% of practical application scenarios in the real world it seems that bats - and 7ft hoses - fly just fine.

The reality is it is closer to 99.9%, but same is true for arm’s length hoses as well — which is the point of the OP’s question. Very few divers will ever donate a second stage outside of training and those that do will be just fine with the hose that comes with their octo.

 

[Roman_66]

In post #69 on third picture lady, which asking for ascend immediately without safety stop . Looks her octo is not hold at all.
As result her buddy probably will receive some sand on first sigh in OOA situation.

 

[TSandM]

The photos above tell the story. A 7' hose wraps around the body and is extremely streamlined. With a proper length hose on the backup, you have no loops of hose sticking out anywhere (which is kind of important in caves, where stalactites and stalagmites love to snag anything that's available).

I'm currently in the Philippines, doing warm water diving with my 7' hose setup. You learn how to coil up the hose and hang it from your harness so that it doesn't get in anyone's way. It takes a few seconds longer to route it properly and check that it is free, but that's literally a few seconds. Using the long hose gives you options you don't have with the shorter one and has so few drawbacks that I can't imagine why someone would make the other choice, unless it's a very beginning diver who is uncomfortable managing the equipment and needs it as simple as possible.

 

[RJP]

The photos above tell the story. A 7' hose wraps around the body and is extremely streamlined. With a proper length hose on the backup, you have no loops of hose sticking out anywhere...

The first pic above is a cropped version of one that is on my refrigerator at home and many non-diver friends and family see it and say "Ah, that's obviously PhotoShopped... Look, there's no hoses or anything!"

 

[Diver43]

OK, I must be in a minority here. In something like 175 dives, I have never had to share air, except in a training situation. I understand the argument for tech and cave divers, but just finning around a reef and enjoying the pretty fish and colors or maybe catching a lobster, even maybe a deep dive for a wreck is about it for most everyone. Do open water divers find the need to share air except in very very rafe situations? Having 7 or 8 feet of hose coiled anywhere on my dive gear would not only get in the way but drive me bonkers. But then again I am the guy with only the basics on my reg. 1st stage, 2nd stage and a low pressure hose that goes to my Air2/BC inflator on standard length hose. I realize that "stuff" happens, but the need of a super long hose just dosnt fit into my dive mode, maybe that is why I dont get the want/need/desire for it.