Hpw often do people have to use octo.

[Derek S]

I had to use mine once. 85', dive 23, AOW instructor's assistant grabbed my reg and I went to my octo for the ascent. It shouldn't have to happen, but it's nice to make sure it's working at the beginning of every dive since your life relies on it too.

You just seem to have that effect on people, they just want to grab the primary right outta your mouth!

I've got to get an Octo, I don't trust the Air2 enough in a true OOA emergency.

 

[Derek S]

How often should I expect to have to use my octo. Like slim chances or like 1 out of 20 dives or what?

In all seriousness, asking that question is kinda like asking how often you'll use an airbag on your car.

As long as you keep your equipment in good shape, constantly monitor your SPG, and be situationally aware, you shouldn't have to use it, but will be prepared in the unlikely event it would happen.

 

[detroit diver]

I've donated mine once in a real OOA situation. But I donate the long primary hose, and just switched to my backup reg under my chin. As I practice this almost every dive I make, it was nothing out of the ordinary for me. It was certainly out of the ordinary for the OOA person!

We did a controlled ascent from about 30 ft or so. I'll bet that she'll be watching her air a little closer from now on.

 

[carbon]

I had to use mine once. I was diving at an all-inclusive resort, and used their equipment. My primary regulator fell apart at 30 feet, and I was getting nothing but water.

I always imagined that I would get excited under such circumstances. Instead, I was very calm. I blew bubbles, rolled sideways to see where my buddy was, and put my own octo in my mouth, all out of reaction. I can't say enough for good training and continual practice.

Now, I always bring my own gear.

Carbon

 

[Gary D.]

Keeping an eye on what you are doing does nothing to prevent someone else from needing it.

That was a generic term meaning EVERYONE keeping an eye on what they were doing. Not just 99 out of 100.

The person that runs out of gas in a car every so often is the one likely to run out of air more often. If they don't watch one why should they watch the other?

Gary D.

 

[alikws]

expect the out of air person who is not your buddy to grab your primary, both of you know it works, and in the case of one of those integrated bc inflator/backup regulator things {is that an air ii?} exactly how it works... after both are breathing, the exchange and ascent can be more rationaly made....

out of air never looks like it did in the pool during classes...

 

[Northeastwrecks]

I test mine every dive by performing S drills with my buddy.

I've donated my primary in an emergency twice. The first time, a diver didn't turn her tank valve on all the way, which caused a sudden failure at about 80 fsw. I donated my primary and we ascended.

The second time, I noticed an AOW student having difficulty and beginning to panic. He was experiencing difficulty breathing. Since the diver was using a POS Dacor HUB, I didn't have the time to figure out which of the innumerable poor features of the rig were causing the problem. I donated my primary and took him to the surface.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

I've donated my primary in an emergency twice.

That seems to fit with the 1 in 500 dives average showing up here.

 

[SubMariner]

In 35 years with over 500 logged dives I have never had to use one in a emergency situation. You get a record like that by keeping your equipment in tip/top shape and knowing who you are diving with. But again ... there are some strange people out there and you never know who will get on the boat with you .... also read the thread "new law in Cayman ?" that deals with octos being required to dive.(www.scubaboard.com/t72457-.html)

It's obvious that you are miffed at being "required" to have an octo in GC, because this is about the 4th thread you've participated in where you bring up this incident.

No offense, but your attitude is naive; your logic flawed. You think that having 500 logged dives without incident means that something could not happen where an alternate airsource is required? Think again.

An alternate air source is not for you, it's for you BUDDY or even a total stranger who swims up to you & grabs your primary. What do you do THEN?

WHAT DO YOU DO IF YOUR BUDDY HAS AN OUT-OF-AIR EMERGENCY?

Sorry to be so blunt, but you really need to be prepared for ANY eventuality when diving. Unless you have an alternate air source, you are not.

With proper gas management & proper preparation, OOA situations can be kept to a minimum. But they will never be eliminated. That's the price we pay for being on scuba.

DSDO,

 

[underwater daphne]

i had to use mine today. my regs were in service and i just got my set back. bought a new octo, because i had an air 2 on my old bc. anyhow my primary reg didn't work. so i had to stuff that into my jacket and use my octo which was luckily working. made me a bit angry since it just came out of being serviced.
and i'm glad i bought an octo, coz it would have sucked with an air2.