Integrated Alternate Air Source

[LowDrag]

WOW!!! This has all made for really interesting reading. I really appreciate all of the responses. That being said... after reviewing these posts the Integrated Alternate air source is history for me before I dive again. The response regarding the sales pitch when I purchased the BCD was absolutely correct. Prior to that day I had never heard of it. It is amazing how much we learn with each and every dive experience. I have a life long love affair with the ocean...... I would like that to continue.

The AAS was a total sales pitch thrown at my wife and I. As has been said, it is definitely a personal preference and one that should not be a cause to kick someone over. I don't care personally how another diver wants to configure their rig as long as it is safe and diveable. Like I said, the Air 2 for me was not unsafe but uncomfortable. I really disliked having someone in my face when doing the OOA drills and having my mobility to the right restricted when I am breathing from the Air 2 myself. I want some space in case the diver in an OOA situation is panicking and thrashing about wildly that way I can keep them at a safe distance. Setting up your gear is a personal thing to a point but there is no sense in re-inventing the wheel. You will find that many divers here have already tried this or that and come back to where they are now. There is a ton of good info here to learn and grow from.

Good luck and have fun.

 

[redacted]

so is that to say you wouldn't dive with anyone that uses a long hose either?

I really appreciate folks who will not dive with me. It give me more room in the water.

But do note that DM_Tom does dive doubles so he probably just did not do a very good job of expressing his thought (as nonsensical as it might be).

 

[Bob DBF]

A buddy liked his Air II so much that he moved it over from his old jacket to his new BP/W. We haven't had any issues with his choice. This includes an air share holding an extended safety stop due to my misunderstanding my computer.

A good diver can make any crappy gear look good.


Bob
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Dive whatever you like.

 

[flots am]

The instructor said she waved her buddy off and completed an emergency ascend successfully.
After hearing this... I tried out my alternate during a skills practice with my buddy. I too found it very difficult to breathe as the semi rigid hose would not bend enough to fit the regulator mouthpiece securely in my mouth. I am now contemplating going back to the octopus style.

It's supposed to breathe a little harder than a normal reg so it doesn't freeflow unexpectedly, however it's completely usable. If it breathes very hard, it needs service.

That said, my personal favorite is an alternate second stage that's identical to my primary. Not some cheap "octo". When the brown stuff hits the fan, the last thing you want is for someone to end up with a crappy, hard to breathe reg. It's really easy to turn "anxious" into "panic".

There are a ton of "octo vs air-2" threads on sb, but the short story is that an awesome alternate second stage that you can easily find, is certainly optimal, however in the real world they tend to be cheap regs, not good regs, tend to be neglected and not serviced and more often than not can't be easily located in an emergency. A poor-breathing reg you can easily find (an integrated inflator/second stage) is far better than a great reg that you can't locate.

flots.

 

[RJP]

To me, the integrated alternate is like one of those little donut spare tires. It seems like a really good idea... right up until the point you actually need to use it for its intended purpose.

 

[BDSC]

To me, the integrated alternate is like one of those little donut spare tires. It seems like a really good idea... right up until the point you actually need to use it for its intended purpose.

I was wondering when you would get around to posting that. But what happened to the pic?

 

[Mike.D]

That said, my personal favorite is an alternate second stage that's identical to my primary. Not some cheap "octo". When the brown stuff hits the fan, the last thing you want is for someone to end up with a crappy, hard to breathe reg. It's really easy to turn "anxious" into "panic".

flots.

Definitely agree with you there flots. When your paying a difference of a few hundred dollars for second stages and an octo you'd think that would be clear enough........

 

[RJP]

I was wondering when you would get around to posting that. But what happened to the pic?

Posting from my iPad... hard to grab/post the requisite photos.


Streamlining is a good idea...

Not so much...

 

[D_B]

I have an AIR2 .. it breathes fine, but the slightly longer hose and it's being heavier than a standard inflator buggs me as it hangs down, even with a restraining bungee , enough so that I dive with one hand over it holding it to my chest
and this .. a far more serious issue is that most standard length regulator hoses are too short for comfortable air sharing (you donate your primary reg if you have an integrated octo/inflator) if you straighten your arm while holding an OOA divers webbing, you will be pulling the reg out of his mouth ... I got a 52" hose on my primary now
and I will be converting to regular backup reg at some point (already have a duplicate of my G250)

 

[Bob DBF]

To me, the integrated alternate is like one of those little donut spare tires. It seems like a really good idea... right up until the point you actually need to use it for its intended purpose.

Its intended purpose is to get you to a repair facility at under 50 MPH, not an exact replacement for your tire.

Someone in a poodle jacket, trained in it's use will have no problem getting to the surface with an Air II. You, however would not like my second because you may need all your seconds to be the same as your primary because of the type of diving you do. Your choice may be the best, but it is not the only reasonable needs based choice.

In case you wanted to know, my second is a Scubapro R108 on one rig and a Sherwood 4000 on another, after that I'd have to look.



Bob
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"If you don't like it, go on the internet and complain." Brian Griffin