Octo recommendation for ice diving ...

[CAPTAIN SINBAD]

Hello -

I have an Atomic Z1 and an aqua lung octo with that. I want to get into ice diving and was wondering if I should upgrade my octo to Atomic Z2 octo? It is a 250$ investment but I am not sure if I can trust my aqua lung octo under ice. Besides the Atomic Z1 is a really great reg and two Z1s means two extremely reliable "GO ANYWHERE, ANYTIME" regs. Has anyone ever used aqualungs octos under ice? Part of me says upgrade for 250 usd for a dual Z1 set up is something you will cherish a lifetime. The other part says its just brand wars man. Save money for they will both be reliable under ice.

Opinions?

 

[Hawkwood]

With ice, the first stage is the concern, not the regulator. The first stage needs to be sealed. Lowering the IP a bit to no less than 120 can also help with reducing risk of free flow.

 

[Thalassamania]

If you are serious about going under the ice, you need to dive doubles in cave style or, at least, have a fully redundant back up gas supply like a slung pony, not an octo hooked into a single first stage.

 

[Scared Silly]

With ice, the first stage is the concern, not the regulator.

While I know what you are trying to say, it is bothersome to read it from an instructor. The first stage is a regulator so is the second stage. So technically the above is nonsense.

That said the first stage regulator is what one should be concerned with. It should be sealed. That said as a piston design it is more prone to freeze up than a diaphragm design. So if you think are going to be regularly ice diving you might consider buying a new first stage with a matching second stage, like the AquaLung Legend (I give that because you already have an AquaLung second stage).

There is also wisdom in having a full back up as suggested. I dive doubles with Atomics but not under ice.

 

[Hawkwood]

While I know what you are trying to say, it is bothersome to read it from an instructor. The first stage is a regulator so is the second stage. So technically the above is nonsense.

....

Please be sure to "nit-pic" Thalassamania while you are at it..."not an octo hooked into a single first stage."

 

[Phocus]

An additional question for this discussion - do you recommend the second stage safety reg be unbalanced to prevent freeflow, or be the same as your primary second stage but tuned down?