Integrated octo/LPH

[TimAZ]

I've used an integrated octo/lph for a few years and like the setup. That said (and without criticizing specific manufacturers), in the last year I've seen two such devices that catastrophically failed from one manufacturer and one from another that while relatively new and otherwise in great shape that would slowly bleed air into the BC bladder. Since mine is made by neither of them and has never been a problem, I plan to continue to use it.

 

[vladimir]

That said (and without criticizing specific manufacturers), in the last year I've seen two such devices that catastrophically failed from one manufacturer and one from another that while relatively new and otherwise in great shape that would slowly bleed air into the BC bladder.

Give us a hint, at least.

Since mine is made by neither of them and has never been a problem, I plan to continue to use it.

It's all about you, huh?

 

[TimAZ]

Give us a hint, at least.

It's all about you, huh?

Anyone curious can PM me. I just don't want to be seen slamming companies that otherwise produce quality gear.

 

[vladimir]

PM sent, thanks.

 

[Wijbrandus]

My wife uses a LadyHawk with attached Air2. She really likes the streamlining effect.

One problem we've had is that she's dunked it in the rinse tank a time or two without putting the cap on it. She's learned real quick not to do that, but it's a factor.

Also, when you take your regs in for service, now you have to take your BC too. Some places charge extra for "BC service". Though having all your gear checked out by a qualified service tech isn't a bad idea, in my opinion.

 

[JodiBB]

Thanks for all the insights...I have to give this some more thought...HMMMM

 

[PerroneFord]

Just an HONEST question here.. and my preference has already been made clear.

Just what are you "streamlining" but cutting down on a hose? I usually see these arguments coming from people who use a HUGE console. A hose adds nearly NOTHING in terms of drag. Going to a longer inflator hose sure does add a dangly though.

So there you have it. Two vastly different opinions on the Air2 type of setup. Some say it works great, but get a longer hose. Some say it works great, but doesn't breathe all that well, or it works great, but I've seen some fail catastrophically (but not to me). One says it works great but I've never experienced a real OOA.

What I'd like to hear from those who say this is a good idea is how you do control the diver, control the buoyancy, and look at your console. And invariably the answer is, we'll we don't look at our ascent rate in an emergency?! What? So you've been down at 75ft for 40 minutes and you just blow through your stop?

Here's something curious. Look at a diver who carries a bungied backup and a 7ft hose, and see what their hoses look like. Then look at a diver with an Air2 and see what his or her hoses look like.

I'll give you a head start. Here's me with two tanks, an SPG hose, an inflator hose, and two regulator hoses.

 

[Footslogger]

PeronneFord makes a good point, or two, or three ...

But I'm not going to rip the AirSource off my BCD quite yet. I myself don't think of it in terms of "streamlining". That's a marketing buzzword used by the gear company. I just decided to try one in the interest of eliminating a hose on my first stage.

I don't dive deep and I don't engage in anything that would be considered "technical". Without exception I can make an emergency ascent from virtually all my dives if necessary.

When I ascend I have my wrist mounted computer right in front of my face, with or without my integrated lp reg in my hand or not. My spg is attached to a D-ring on my BCD and lies horizontally about mid chest so I can occasionally gaze down and monitor my remaining air supply.

So far for me (and my wife) the integrated lp hose mounted back-up reg seems to be working. Check me in a year and my opinion may be different. But for now, given our diving styles, we're gonna give it a fair trial.

'Slogger

 

[PerroneFord]

Slogger,

You are configured differently than a LOT of recreational divers. With a wrist mounted guage you can SEE. And with your spg on your chest, you can see. Nothing wrong with that at all. You've thought it through, and made your choices.

 

[divingjd]

I use the Scubapro AIR2 when teaching and for my personal diving. It is a high-performance regulator and breathes extremely well. I have no question about its quality as a regulator. I have performed many air-sharing ascents (one for real, lots in classes), using the AIR2. Obviously, it is a short hose and you donate your primary, which is a short hose, so you have to stay close together, which is exactly what you should be doing in an OOA situation anyway. Once you are sharing air, the only thing you should do is ascend, so the short hose really should not be a problem, and never has been for me. If you are going to be in overhead environments (the only situation where you should not be able to do a direct ascent) you really need a completely different gear configuration, but for standard recreational open water diving, the AIR2 works well. Donating your primary should not be a problem. A panicked out-of-air diver is likely to grab it anyway and donating the primary works with ALL gear configurations, so it is more foolproof than donating the secondary. Controlling the ascent and monitoring gauges is not difficult. I use the right shoulder dump valve to vent air from the BC. I use an air-integrated console computer, run the hose under my left arm and clip it in, so it is always in view just by looking down. I also wear a wrist computer (non-air-integrated) on my right wrist as a backup, and that is easy to see as well. Plus, both have ascent-rate alarms. I prefer having fewer hoses and not having to figure out what to do with an octo. None of the octo clips seem to be entirely satisfactory. I have never tried it myself, but using a necklace looks like it's probably the best solution.

Basically, it is a matter of personal preference. Whatever makes you more comfortable is the best. The AIR2, or a comparable system from another manufacturer, is a viable alternative that meets the needs of many divers. The fact that it is different does not make it bad, wrong, or dangerous. It is certainly better than an octopus that has been dragged through the sand and over the reef, which is where I often see them.