Octo / Alternate or safe second

[TSandM]

I love my bungied backup, and despite what people say about never using an octo, I've used mine. I have fallen getting into or out of the water several times, and having that thing right under my chin to pop in my mouth has been immensely comforting. I honestly think this is one of the biggest pluses from that configuration. Donating the primary is great, but you can do that with an Air2-type rig. But it's harder, I think, to find your primary reg or your Air2 if you fall.

 

[LeadTurn_SD]

I love my bungied backup, and despite what people say about never using an octo, I've used mine. I have fallen getting into or out of the water several times, and having that thing right under my chin to pop in my mouth has been immensely comforting. I honestly think this is one of the biggest pluses from that configuration. Donating the primary is great, but you can do that with an Air2-type rig. But it's harder, I think, to find your primary reg or your Air2 if you fall.

1+

As one of the clumsier people you are ever likely to meet, I have already had my bungied backup "save" me when I fell on a slippery shore entry.... well ok, I would have been just fine, but it was REALLY nice to not have attempt to find my primary.

I did get knocked down by waves many years ago, before octos were widely used, and got momentarily pinned between some rocks in about 3 feet of water. The next wave freed me, but had it not, it could have been "exciting".... there was no way to reach my primary (it was wedged between my tank and the rocks I had fallen among).

The under-the-chin bungied backup is such a great idea that I really wish the training agencies would adopt it as a standard for Basic OW training....

Sorry for the slight hijack.

Best wishes.

 

[Splitlip]

1+

As one of the clumsier people you are ever likely to meet, I have already had my bungied backup "save" me when I fell on a slippery shore entry.... well OK, I would have been just fine, but it was REALLY nice to not have attempt to find my primary.

I did get knocked down by waves many years ago, before octos were widely used, and got momentarily pinned between some rocks in about 3 feet of water. The next wave freed me, but had it not, it could have been "exciting".... there was no way to reach my primary (it was wedged between my tank and the rocks I had fallen among).

The under-the-chin bungeed backup is such a great idea that I really wish the training agencies would adopt it as a standard for Basic OW training....

Sorry for the slight hijack.

Best wishes.

Seems to me, You are better off with an Octo inflater here than with a conventional Octo. (back on track.)

However, I do agree that a necklaced second would be the best. For me, of the three contemporary configuration's: necklaced 2nd is best, Octo inflater (for open water) is 2nd. And conventional octo #3.

Maybe the agencies will recognize the necklace. But I figure that to be the sane time they stop advocating snorkels for open water rec.

 

[catskill diver]

thanks everyone. After phone calls to Atomic and to IST by BC company. It appears IST strongly suggests I dont alter the inflater reasons given " just dont do it ". I was told it also voids the warranty ( the BC is 3 years old and out anyway) Any other reasons I should be concerned ? The necklace ideas I currently use, maybe I will just back up my second stage with the same octo - thanks for all the help !!

 

[Akimbo]

thanks everyone. After phone calls to Atomic and to IST by BC company. It appears IST strongly suggests I dont alter the inflater reasons given " just dont do it ". I was told it also voids the warranty ( the BC is 3 years old and out anyway) Any other reasons I should be concerned ? The necklace ideas I currently use, maybe I will just back up my second stage with the same octo - thanks for all the help !!

I am not promoting or deterring you from using a different inflator, but BC warranties past the first 10 dives or so have very little value. If it ain't broke by then, 99.9% (WAG on my part) of failures thereafter are likely to be deemed abuse and not covered by warranty anyway. I suspect IST's comments were driven more by the influence of our litigious society than function.

Inflate a new BC until air comes out the over-pressure relief to make sure the bladder takes the pressure, let it sit an hour for a leak check, and visually inspect for manufacturing flaws or shipping damage. The probability of an expensive failure that would be covered by a warranty after that is almost zero — and you haven't even got it wet yet. A reputable LDS that sees you changed to a combo inflator will go to your defense if you come in a year later with a burst bladder and there are no signs of excessive wear of abuse.

 

[CaveMD]

I'm personally a big fan of the 7ft hose and 22-24" hose necklace set up even when diving a single tank.

 

[Splitlip]

thanks everyone. After phone calls to IST by BC company. It appears IST strongly suggests I dont alter the inflater reasons given " just dont do it ". I was told it also voids the warranty

sorry I got nothing.