Integrated Alternate Air Source

[Jim Lapenta]

True, but a few seconds with a panicking diver who cannot inflate their own BC may be a second or two too long.

We had three different types of integrated inflators that day. On purpose. No one got it right the first time. They all had different button set ups. Second time was better but all agreed they liked the std inflator better from a rescuer standpoint. It was one of those rescue classes where we had people in BPW's, jackets, back inflates, doubles with drysuit and full North Atlantic tech gear, and was a lot of fun.

Next one I do I'll be in sidemount. . As it is becoming more popular with recreational divers not putting it in would be doing a disservice to the students.

I once heard someone remark that it was like trying to get to the end of an elephants trunk coming over the shoulder and trying to find the damn thing when describing the integrated deal.

My BPW inflator on the 12 inch corrugated hose was a fan favorite. Easy and fast to find.

 

[ScubaSam]

When I was a newly minted OW vacation diver, I was talked into buying an integrated AAS by the dive shop where I purchased my first BC, a Zeagle Zena. They said it was more streamlined without the additional hose and I believed them. This was all before I heard of Scubaboard or read anything online about integrated AAS.

I had no issues with the integrated AAS until I had to use it during my rescue class. I was the only one in the rescue class with the integrated AAS, all others had an octo. Buddy breathing off of it while trying to use it to control my buoyancy drilled home to me how dangerous it was relying on the integrated AAS. We were in a benign environment running rescue drills and I did not feel safe using the integrated AAS to give my buddy and I gas, and also use it to control my buoyancy in the water column.

If I were in the ocean with current, it would have been difficult to keep my buddy and I close enough to buddy breath off of it while handling the gas in my BCD. Immediately after the class, I got rid of the integrated AAS, and got an octo. Could I have practiced with the integrated AAS with my various buddies until it went more smoothly? Maybe, but why when an octo worked so much better.

I liked the concept of integrated AAS until I had to actually put it into practice.

Good luck, and I hope you make whatever decision works best for your peace of mind and for your type of diving.

 

[Texasguy]

I have Atomic SS1, though I don't use it nowadays, however, it worked well each time.

 

[uncfnp]

If your current setup is comfortable for you and you feel you can adequately use it in the unlikely OOA event, keep it for now. If the hose or unit goes, then decide if you want to replace with same or switch to standard octo. If however you do not feel comfortable with this configuration or that it as not adequate for you in an emergency, then switch now. Do divers safely dive with an in-line alternate air source? Yes, but only you can answer if this is the right choice for you.

 

[Gren]

I was talked into an integrated AAS in `95 when I had just finished OW. I went to use it during a drill one day and in my zeal to show how great my special different gear was, I popped the quick connect off of it. I'm glad it was a drill and my primary still worked.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4

 

[spectrum]

The idea of meaningful streamlining through the elimination of the alternate second stage is bunk. The effect is so small it's meaningless so set that objective asside.

Do you normally control your buoyancy with that thing in your mouth? I'll assume the asnwer is no. That being the case how can you expect your management of a stressful situation be anything other than compromised?

I have an old post someplace here that beats it further to death but the prior paragraph IMO is the bottom line.

Pete

 

[Texasguy]

I think, you guys, are splitting hairs. If integrated alternative source would be dangerous, it would not be sold by known scuba manufacturers, no one would want the liability. If they do manufacture & sell, it is likely that the risk is minimal or non-existent (therefore, the question is answered). I think debating it has as much value as debating back inflation vs. jacket style inflation. Everyone has their own preference and freedom to throw money where one sees fit.

 

[spectrum]

I think, you guys, are splitting hairs. If integrated alternative source would be dangerous, it would not be sold by known scuba manufacturers, no one would want the liability. If they do manufacture & sell, it is likely that the risk is minimal or non-existent (therefore, the question is answered). I think debating it has as much value as debating back inflation vs. jacket style inflation. Everyone has their own preference and freedom to throw money where one sees fit.

hi Texasguy,

Please permit me a soapbox moment.....

The point of a forum is to get a diverse set of opinions and/or upturn facts unknown to ones self. I have learned an immeasurable amount in reading the "splitting of hairs" as you note. On occasion I have been taken to task for missing a subtle point in a question or sometimes a subtlety buried behind the literal question. If there is one thing I have learned in my years here and diving it is that there are darned few absolutes in this sport. That being said everyone needs to make their own decisions regarding many things perhaps most of all gear selections.

Over time I have found myself doing what I call "thinking like a diver". I'll best describe this as frequently making on the fly risk assessments regarding diving and otherwise. In most cases I find that fact(s) or a deeply held preference can be what splits the hair. Very rarely is it a flip of a coin or roll of the dice.

The fact that lawyers and insurance companies underwrite products barely implies that they are adequate. Adequacy and "best suited" are 2 very different attributes. Many ScubaBoard discussions focus on the latter.

I have come to view these discussions much like moot court. What we all say here has no material impact on what anyone does but it does the provide the posters and lurkers with the benefit of what is often hundreds of year and thousands of dives of experience.

You are absoultely correct that it all comes down to preference. One's preference will be most sound when it's based on generous input.

End of soapbox moment

Pete

 

[Instructor_Tom]

integrated seconds on the BCD LP are the worse piece of BS marketing that could ever be considered. I will never dive with someone who has one. your backup second stage is not for you it for your buddy and anyone who dives one of the pieces of crap does not care enough about a buddy to deserve getting a buddy.




Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[herr2720]

I have the Air 2 on my BC and have never had a problem with it, of course the only time I have used it is just practice at depth. I run a backup pony with an identical reg setup to my primary for any real emergencies so I doubt the Air2 will ever get any real use.