Newbie - how do I wear a long hose for primary regulator?

[Lorenzoid]

No, one doesn't need to take a class to learn to donate (and receive) a reg with a long hose, but I still believe it is worthwhile to have someone show you in person rather than learn from the Internet. To do it fluidly, untucking the excess, without the hose hanging up on anything, how to hold the hose/reg so the recipient can most easily grab it, when to check to make sure the recipient is okay, positioning yourself relative to the recipient, etc., takes a little know-how and practice. Sure, you can just shove the reg in the recipient's face and hope for the best, and it will probably turn out pretty much the same, but why not learn and practice an actual procedure--a sequence of actions?

 

[halocline]

Sure, a bit of practice and mentoring with someone that uses one is a good idea, but it ain't rocket science. We're talking about OW diving here, and divers who have presumably already been trained in air sharing. Some of those were likely trained with an octo/inflator (dive shops in the U.S. love those things) which means they've already practiced donating the primary.

 

[divad]

Oh for crying out loud you don't need to take a freakin class to use a long hose.

Thanks for the laugh re the preciosity brigade.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

 

[Bob DBF]

Which skills can be learned by reading...

I learned how to SCUBA dive by reading, although I had to use a real book since the Internet wasn't invented yet.

I don't know the OP, but since he is asking for advice, I would assume he would mitigate the problem of screwing up and ending up with no available air. I initially tried the configuration in a pool, where I could stand up, before using it in the wild. Although I decided against a long hose, due to issues because my extensive use of a snorkel, I had no other problem with learning from posts on ScubaBoard.

One should have a brutal honesty with themselves about their own abilities, even if they lie to others, and seek instruction if needed, but scuba diving is not rocket surgery.


Bob

 

[KenGordon]

Which skills past OW actually need to be taught?

Pony? Just another cylinder.
Twinset? Just another cylinder.
Nitrox? Just a different gas, mostly book work.
Accelerated deco, just a pony with a different gas and maybe a new computer.
Trimix, just like accelerated deco but with a different gas.

So really, all these people teaching are just ripping everyone off.

 

[MichaelMc]

I would not switch to primary donate the day before the OP does their wreck dive. I do think the OP's fellow divers will be more accustomed to primary donate, and hence OP is better off switching, just not the day prior.

On primary donate/ long hose training:
1) It's not that complicated, and there are many videos on deployment of primary donate.
2) Helping even OW divers switch to a better system without requiring them to sign up for a whole new $$ class seems a good thing. It addresses what many see as a unfortunate deficiency in OW training. That whole 'oh my octo? its around here somewhere. It might be clean. You wanted it??'

If we did a poll of how many using long hose learned it in a class, where do you think the numbers would be?

 

[Bob DBF]

Which skills past OW actually need to be taught?

Formal training and the associated card is needed to get air, o2, and trimix from a dive op. I would imagine if you wanted to go on a tech dive you would have to have the proper credentials, same as a dive op might want to see your AOW card for an advanced dive.

As for other skills, that do not need formal training and a card, a diver needs to decide whether formal training, instructor or mentor led instruction, or self training is appropriate. I do not immediately assume a skill that a diver wants to learn has to be taught by an instructor in a formal class.

So really, all these people teaching are just ripping everyone off.

I never said that all people teaching are ripping everyone off, although I have met some instructors that I would avoid.

There are a lot of specific diver training classes for all kinds of skills for anyone who feels they would benefit from it, however because a class is available does not mean it should be mandatory.



Bob

 

[halocline]

Which skills past OW actually need to be taught?

Pony? Just another cylinder.
Twinset? Just another cylinder.
Nitrox? Just a different gas, mostly book work.
Accelerated deco, just a pony with a different gas and maybe a new computer.
Trimix, just like accelerated deco but with a different gas.

So really, all these people teaching are just ripping everyone off.

Oh, I don't know, maybe something about deco and trimix (and twins to an extent) being part of technical diving, you know, where it's fairly easy to die if you screw up. I have no idea why you are comparing that sort of training with switching the length of your regulator hose in open water recreational settings.

Nobody needs a class for a pony either, BTW.

 

[MichaelMc]

FYI: I created a poll and thread on the question of what training is needed for an OW diver to switch to necklaced secondary primary donate.

What is needed for an OW diver to switch to necklaced secondary and primary donate?