Inflator/Octo Combo

[OE2X]

Donziman - why don't you come over to Seattle and come dive with us. Gratefuldiver, Uncle Pug, Lamont and a bunch of others on this board dive with long hoses recreationally. As a matter of fact I would be happy to loan you one of my reg set ups. I've got a pair of ATX200's all set to go.

 

[ZAquaman]

ZAquaman and Donziman are both me. I think Donziman will die now that I have the cookies on both my computers figured out.

Thanks for the dive invitation. I bounce back and forth over the mountains every week or so. I would enjoy taking a dive with you. I wouldn't feel right about borrowing equipment though. I think just seeing your set up in action would be sufficient. My schedule is crazy right now so I guess I'll post when I can dive.

Is it ok if I bring my snorkel???

 

[Grajan]

We had exactly the same goal as you. We tried combos (SQ Air Source) but took them straight back after practicing a few OOA drills - scary..... WAY TOO many ways to screw up under stress.

We now both dive the long hose config (for warm water rec diving) and LOVE it. It is very streamlined, more secure and comfortable. No sand filled Octo's. One benefit not much talked about is the loop round the neck totally gets rid of mouth-pull no matter how much you turn your head.

The significant advantage in an OOA is that you have independant control of your ascent rate. It is much more comfortable. Occasionally, when I have been puffing hard taking photos we will potter around the 15' - 20' level sharing my wife's (still half full....) air. It is so easy I can still take photos!

The only problem is you have to stop DM's/boat crews fiddling with your rig (something I hate anyway) and brief techs when you are getting a service - or they tend to drop the second stage. I have taken to tying my second stage to the first stage when I put it in for service.

We started with 5', went to 6' and ended up with 7'. We have Seaquest Balance / Libra BC's and the hose runs neatly under the pocket.



Do it - you will not regret it.

Hi guys and gals,

I am considering purchasing an Inflator/Octo combo deal. Why? I don't like hose clutter and I guess it's important to have an alternate air source, right?

My LDS guys have recomended the "seaquest air source", "Tusa Duo Air", and "Oceanic Air XS". Three shops carried different stuff and recomended what they had. One shop recomended against the combo octo for various reason. They suggested the spare air system.

What do you all suggest? I'd like feedback on your experiences with inflator/octos. I would rather buddy breath that use the traditional octo so I'll leave that option out of this discussion for now.

Thanks a Million!

 

[RonFrank]

Have the Zeagle. While this is NOT a way to share air with a buddy, it is certainly a good back for self.

PADI preaches that this is the future. Not sure I can agree with that, but it certainly makes sense as it's compact.

 

[Chad Carney]

I am considering purchasing an Inflator/Octo combo deal. Why? I don't like hose clutter...

What do you all suggest? I'd like feedback on your experiences with inflator/octos. I would rather buddy breath than use the traditional octo... so I'll leave that option out of this discussion for now.

I'm trying to keep things at a four hose maximum here. I just thought it made sense to combine the two.

It seems that there is a lot of anti Octo/Inflator sentiment out there.

I agree that a long hose and octo necklace would be best if you're diving enclosures, no question about it. In addition, doesn't the long hose pose entaglement issues?

Donziman,

I couldn't agree more with your desires on gear simplification! Just guessing by your screen name, you like streamlining in above water equipment as well as underwater. Many divers seem intent on telling you that you should do it right...their way!

If I could get rid of every hose I would, but passing a breathing gas through water without a hose still needs some perfecting. For some divers even a standard octopus is bulky, and a long hose is extremely likely to become entangled... spearfishing is my example, and for that I use a hoseless computer and an inflator/octo or alternate inflation regulator (AIR). Down the line I'd like a BC with no left shoulder corrugated hose, but for now these early exhaust hose alternative BC are rather lacking.

Here's the thread that is in the BC section about AIRs. It's not too long a read.
http://www.scubaboard.com/t89345-air-source-vs-regular-octopus.html

There's a lot to be said for brevity!

Chad

"Using AIRs since they debuted, (about the end of the 70s), and loving them!"

 

[Arcaporale]

I use an atomic SS1 and i love it, it breathes extremely well and never, ever free flows, it's compact and has a quick disconnect from your bc's corrugated hose so you can store it with you regulator since it should be treated like a regulator. just know that all octo-inflators will limit you head's mobility when in use and usually require you to remove it from your mouth to vent air from your bc.

 

[Stormbringer]

I use a seperate octo...plan to use the long hose config in the future. I have never liked the Air 2 or other integrated inflator/octo regs.

 

[7milehi]

I've been into 2 dive shops recently and spoke with a PADI DI in both shops and they tend to push the Air2 or clone. When I mention some of the problems like an OOA situation one DI asked me if I had ever had a real OOA while diving , when I replied no she said neither have I . I almost asked her with that logic in mind why even have any type of octo. Both DI's implied the 7' hose and necklace setup was for serious tech divers and the air2 was the best way to go for a "common" rec diver. I'm not a DI but I just don't agree with them.

 

[Ed Palma]

For a while, I lusted after a combo inflator after seeing one in a LDS. At the time, my reg was an Apollo A105, and had this weird hose configuration, that would necessitate my octo coming out from my left side. I thought the combo inflator would've been perfect. Then when I saw some of my buddies with them, I asked fro their opinion, and they said that I should just stick with the octo.
Besides. Grajan is right. There are too many ways to mess up using the thing in an OOA situation. And unless more people are trained using these things during their certifications, then its likely most people won't know what to look for.

 

[victor]

I've been into 2 dive shops recently and spoke with a PADI DI in both shops and they tend to push the Air2 or clone. When I mention some of the problems like an OOA situation one DI asked me if I had ever had a real OOA while diving , when I replied no she said neither have I . I almost asked her with that logic in mind why even have any type of octo. Both DI's implied the 7' hose and necklace setup was for serious tech divers and the air2 was the best way to go for a "common" rec diver. I'm not a DI but I just don't agree with them.

Don't knock it until you have tried, it. Going the air2 route is very similar to the necklace set up. In an out of air situation you donate your primary and pick up your own octo. The difference is one is on a necklace and the other is on your inflator, in both cases you know where it is.
Personally for recreational diving the Air2 works really well. As far as training OOA situations are concerned it is as easy as a second octo. I have never had to cope with an emergency OOA but I doubt it would be much different.
I have use it below 100ft and it breaths Ok. It does not freeflow. I check it on every dive, both on the surface and at depth.
It's only real disadvantage is when you have a failure situation on vacation. Either have a spare Air2 of a spare octo.