I have been using AirSource/AirII for the last 23 years no problem including OOA situations (one involved a stray diver who is not my buddy out of nowhere coming to grab my primary). Here are my views on some points:
1. I don't confuse the AirII with my snorkel!! I know where everything is and "how it feels" for me be to be able to discern the difference with my eyes closed even when using mitts or dry gloves. I know where everything is attached also. Folks who confused one piece of equipment with another in an emergency, they probably never practiced using their equipment to the point where they know where it is by reaching for it without having to see it (just like finding your nose with your finger without having to stand in front of a mirror to see where it is).
2. I use a 42" LP hose for my primary and run it under my arm in addition to a SS swivel. The little extra length will allow me to donate the primary SS and still be comfortable to both divers. I run it under my arm to avoid the hose sticking out and possibly get caught on something and more importantly it allows me to be in control of the ascent. I want to avoid the OOA diver being out of my reach during their panicky attempt to get to the surface, I want to be in control/charge. I usually throw the 42” SS hose for free to my customers when they buy a regulator/AirII setup no problem. I’d also throw the SS swivel for free to my customers depending on their loyalty and attitude.
3. In a real OOA situation especially when the OOA person has no air in their lungs, they will grab the only thing they see in front of them blowing nice sexy air bubbles, the primary SS in the donor's mouth. Even in the scenario where the donor has a standalone Octo, the OOA person would most likely grab the donor’s primary SS not Octo.
4. Some folks note that the AirII type setup is difficult to breathe from U/W. This is because they probably don't have it tuned properly. Most technicians are overzealous in de-tuning the AirII on the idea that they don't want it to free flow. I don't think that this is necessary. I tune AirII’s just below the free flow point and its performance U/W is adequate for an emergency situation.
5. Ability to inflate/deflate BC with AirII: I don’t know why people would have difficulty doing it unless they, again, are not familiar with their equipment or lack experience. I see people struggle with using their BC inflator especially the oral inflator on standard BC LPI all the time. This is clearly due to the fact that students don’t spend enough time practicing their skills and becoming experts in the use of their equipment in courses and in their diving. There is absolutely no need to use both hands if one is familiar with their equipment. I frequently observe that divers struggle with their standard LPI and have to use one hand to hold it and the second hand to press the buttons.
6. Someone mentioned that they are concerned about their ability to dive while on vacation should their AirII hose becomes problematic and no spare is available. If this is a concern, I’d take a spare hose with me or have the ability to go “manual” during my diving on that trip. There are also adaptors that would convert from quick disconnect to AirII connection. I don’t find this issue a problem one way or another.
7. When you buy an AirII or an Octo and they are connected to the same air supply as your primary, they are most likely of no use to you. They are used to help your buddy not you in the greater majority of the time.
8. I practice OOA breathing scenarios on regular basis with my regular dive buddies if available. If you don’t practice them, you will have a problem with ANY type of contingency setup you have no matter how easy or good it is IMO. In contrast, ANY type of contingency scuba will be a problem with “insta-buddies” especially if there was no discussion or actual practice of emergency procedures before the dive. Without practice and agreement on the conduct of emergency procedure including OOA situations, ANY procedure will become problematic and possibly lead to a catastrophe regardless of it is an Octo or AirII. People’s brains turn to “mush” and they are all “thumbs” in emergencies U/W especially in OOA. Without prior agreement and adequate practice, even simple tasks will become difficult to do U/W.
At the end, I don’t believe that either way is superior to the other as related to use for emergency. AirII setup, however, is less clutter. Both need practice and “intimate” familiarity to the point where one can do it with “eyes closed.”
1. I don't confuse the AirII with my snorkel!! I know where everything is and "how it feels" for me be to be able to discern the difference with my eyes closed even when using mitts or dry gloves. I know where everything is attached also. Folks who confused one piece of equipment with another in an emergency, they probably never practiced using their equipment to the point where they know where it is by reaching for it without having to see it (just like finding your nose with your finger without having to stand in front of a mirror to see where it is).
2. I use a 42" LP hose for my primary and run it under my arm in addition to a SS swivel. The little extra length will allow me to donate the primary SS and still be comfortable to both divers. I run it under my arm to avoid the hose sticking out and possibly get caught on something and more importantly it allows me to be in control of the ascent. I want to avoid the OOA diver being out of my reach during their panicky attempt to get to the surface, I want to be in control/charge. I usually throw the 42” SS hose for free to my customers when they buy a regulator/AirII setup no problem. I’d also throw the SS swivel for free to my customers depending on their loyalty and attitude.
3. In a real OOA situation especially when the OOA person has no air in their lungs, they will grab the only thing they see in front of them blowing nice sexy air bubbles, the primary SS in the donor's mouth. Even in the scenario where the donor has a standalone Octo, the OOA person would most likely grab the donor’s primary SS not Octo.
4. Some folks note that the AirII type setup is difficult to breathe from U/W. This is because they probably don't have it tuned properly. Most technicians are overzealous in de-tuning the AirII on the idea that they don't want it to free flow. I don't think that this is necessary. I tune AirII’s just below the free flow point and its performance U/W is adequate for an emergency situation.
5. Ability to inflate/deflate BC with AirII: I don’t know why people would have difficulty doing it unless they, again, are not familiar with their equipment or lack experience. I see people struggle with using their BC inflator especially the oral inflator on standard BC LPI all the time. This is clearly due to the fact that students don’t spend enough time practicing their skills and becoming experts in the use of their equipment in courses and in their diving. There is absolutely no need to use both hands if one is familiar with their equipment. I frequently observe that divers struggle with their standard LPI and have to use one hand to hold it and the second hand to press the buttons.
6. Someone mentioned that they are concerned about their ability to dive while on vacation should their AirII hose becomes problematic and no spare is available. If this is a concern, I’d take a spare hose with me or have the ability to go “manual” during my diving on that trip. There are also adaptors that would convert from quick disconnect to AirII connection. I don’t find this issue a problem one way or another.
7. When you buy an AirII or an Octo and they are connected to the same air supply as your primary, they are most likely of no use to you. They are used to help your buddy not you in the greater majority of the time.
8. I practice OOA breathing scenarios on regular basis with my regular dive buddies if available. If you don’t practice them, you will have a problem with ANY type of contingency setup you have no matter how easy or good it is IMO. In contrast, ANY type of contingency scuba will be a problem with “insta-buddies” especially if there was no discussion or actual practice of emergency procedures before the dive. Without practice and agreement on the conduct of emergency procedure including OOA situations, ANY procedure will become problematic and possibly lead to a catastrophe regardless of it is an Octo or AirII. People’s brains turn to “mush” and they are all “thumbs” in emergencies U/W especially in OOA. Without prior agreement and adequate practice, even simple tasks will become difficult to do U/W.
At the end, I don’t believe that either way is superior to the other as related to use for emergency. AirII setup, however, is less clutter. Both need practice and “intimate” familiarity to the point where one can do it with “eyes closed.”
