lowest profile octo

[scuba.dude]

I have an integrated octo but need a standalone octo for a class - what is the lowest profile octo that doesn't suck? If it is also the cheapest option that would be great.

TIA
-SD

 

[Kunundrum]

Aqualung ABS / Apeks Egress (Cold water rated)

Or Oceanic Slimline.

They both breath alright for what they are and affordable.

 

[keyshunter]

All low profile octos pretty much suck. It is the nature of the beast. The Apeks is probably the best of the group. Unfortunately, it is also the most expensive.

 

[RJP]

I have an integrated octo but need a standalone octo for a class - what is the lowest profile octo that doesn't suck? If it is also the cheapest option that would be great.

TIA
-SD

A: Any decent quality second-stage bungied around your neck.

One of the best parts about going this route, is that - since it's the one YOU'LL be using if the s--t hits the fan - you'll probably raise the bar on desired quality a touch higher than "doesn't suck"

:cool2:

That said, what is the class you are taking that requires a 'standalone" octo? May help us recommend something specific.

 

[scuba.dude]

A: Any decent quality second-stage bungied around your neck.

One of the best parts about going this route, is that - since it's the one YOU'LL be using if the s--t hits the fan - you'll probably raise the bar on desired quality a touch higher than "doesn't suck"

:cool2:

That said, what is the class you are taking that requires a 'standalone" octo? May help us recommend something specific.

RJP - I appreciate your quasi-humor ... I don't have a regular buddy so one benefit to an integrated octo is when a panicked insta-buddy sees me hand off a working primary (SP G250V), hopefully s/he stays with me through the safety stop instead of dragging me to the surface ... Also my rig is setup so the integrated octo is close & familar like a necklace. Agreed, though, that divers should care as much about their buddies' air source as their own air source.

Disabled diver training and divemaster. I volunteer for a charity that works with divers with disabilities and we need more DMs, so I am going through the class. I don't intend to teach or anything afterward, so in the real world, I'll handoff my primary and use my integrated octo. But DDT & DM training include scenarios where we swim circuits submerged while buddy breathing. My rig is setup for locked arms facing each other during a controlled ascent - it's kinda awkward to swim circuits in the 'missionary position' :shocked2:

 

[FireInMyBones]

Rather than a low profile octo, why not go with one that will breath great and help calm down the victim? My opinion is with [user]RJP[/user].

I once had an integrated octo and switched out after a real out of air emergency. It was too hard to control our assent.

In the end if a low profile octo is what you want, no worries, I like the new apex flight octo.

 

[RJP]

Disabled diver training and divemaster. I volunteer for a charity that works with divers with disabilities and we need more DMs, so I am going through the class. I don't intend to teach or anything afterward, so in the real world, I'll handoff my primary and use my integrated octo. But DDT & DM training include scenarios where we swim circuits submerged while buddy breathing. My rig is setup for locked arms facing each other during a controlled ascent - it's kinda awkward to swim circuits in the 'missionary position' :shocked2:

Are you actually going to do disabled diver diving and DM'ing afterwards?

I would suggest that if your current rig is not appropriate to TRAIN to dive that way, it's not appropriate to DIVE that way.

Train the way you're going to dive; dive the way you trained.

Given the likelihood that in an OOA situation with a disabled diver YOU will be much more more "in charge" of buoyancy, etc and less able to count on your buddy (insta- or otherwise) you're not going to want to have to manage your reg and LPI with the only hand you've got remaining that's not tied up with your buddy.

 

[Scared Silly]

First good on ya for volunteering. My suggestion is the same RJP - get an octo that is as good as your primary. Further, if working with disabled divers it might be worth looking at the long hose route.

I mention the long hose as if you have to buddy breath - depending on the disability it might be nice to have some extra room.

 

[Saudi-Diver]

On both my rigs my octo is exactly the same as what I breath and is completely interchangeable apart from the hose lengths. I want my kit to deliver. I would hate to think if I was ever out of air I was going to try and suck through some crap that couldn't deliver the air I want. You owe it to your buddy to have a really decent air source as your alt.

 

[scuba.dude]

C'mon guys - you're smart enough to breathe underwater you GOTTA be smart enough to, ya know, R E A D -- normally, I *hand off my primary* which means my buddy is breathing off my SP G250V and *I'M BREATHING OFF THE OCTO.* Even if you're a SP hater, you don't actually think this is an inferior 2nd stage, right?!?!

Fireinmybones: good point about controlling ascent

RJP: I knew someone would blast me about training v diving and number of available hands (you're killing me with this common sense thing )

scaredsilly: the long hose thing is a good point - do you have experience with disabled divers?

I intended this post to help me find something for class dives in the pool with able-bodied classmates and planned to return to my current rig after training --I'm thinkin' that won't work. Who woulda thunk scuba training would enable me to like, learn something :shocked2:

Thanks for taking the time everyone - great input.

-SD