I just finished PADI Rescue, and was taught buddy breathing for the first time...

[anth]

I just finished PADI Rescue, and was taught buddy breathing for the first time... I see why octos and other alternate air sources have become the norm...

Were a lot of you taught buddy breathing in your OW class? If so, when did you take the class? Were octos in common use at the time/in the area? I did my OW six years ago, and the skill was never demonstrated in the class.

DSAO,

Anthony

 

[Mark Vlahos]

PADI certified about ten years ago and we did learn to Buddy Breathe. Octos were a standard part of the equipment used by all divers in the class. The skill was taught as a backup to octopus use.

Mark Vlahos

 

[verona]

Buddy breathing is an optional skill at OW level. At our school, we never teach it as an option. Only pick it up at divemster level when it is mandatory.

 

[wedivebc]

Unfortunately it is an optional skill. I teach it to my OW sutudents because I feel it is essential. When you consider the number of octo I see dragging in the mud I can't imagine they work very often and I would rather buddy breath than get a mouthful of muck

 

[HarleyDiver]

YMCA class in 1974, required skill. Most of us had 1 reg on a J valve, No BC, No Octo, No SPG.

Ah, to be young, dumb, & immortal...

 

[String]

BB has been dropped from most agencies basic courses now in favour of octopus.

 

[GDI]

Still teach it to all my students always have and always will, WHY? because until I see that EVERY diver out there has an octo/redundant air source in one form or another it is not considered a optional skill to me. When I took my basic we had to learn it both with a double hose and a single hose reg. Since The double hoise is starting to appear again (US Divers) then it should be made a required skill. Give the student the best tool box of skills to work with

 

[scubagal00]

I got my OW cert 3 years ago, and yes, we were taught BB. The focus was more on sharing air thru your air2 or octo, but it was covered. My cert is thru SSI. It can't hurt to know how and hope you never need it.

 

[MASS-Diver]

I'd rather see a stronger focus on proper air sharing (with a primary and backup reg). I think BB is a waste of time for new OW divers.

 

[Brewone0to]

I wasn't PADI cert(NAUI)but we were taught both buddy breathing and octopus(Give up primary second and breath through back-up )for this reason I always rig With a 7' hose
Since I WASN'T Born With GILLS, I'm glad We covered ALL available options.
My guess is anyone teaching (and leaving out an avail option) must expect one to race to the surface in the event of an OOA situation where your buddy's octo fails as well. (Have seen too many divers not test thier back-up second reg) They must teach in, and expect one to do ALL thier dives in a shallow pool, or don't care what happens to them after the check is cashed,or about the poss of dive locations being closed as a result of what are IMO VERY preventable accidents. Also IMO anyone who's loved one is involved in one of these accidents should seek a Lawer's advice.(The inexperienced think they have gained necessary skills and get short cutted by someone who thinks because it never happed to them that it isn't poss. Yet most octos I see on regs tend to be less that friendly and less reliable,to keep price of reg down. That is why we sign up for the courses right? to learn from the accidents of the past and learn from these to make the sport safer??
Thats just my two cents

Brewone0to
Just Another Florida Diver
Dive Safe
Brian