octo vs. alt air source
- Thread starter Bflem55
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mikerault
Contributor
I had to use mine the other day during a dive when the primary got ripped out of my mouth at 80 feet down. It breathed wet and didn't deliver the air I needed and I had to gasp my way to the surface. I suggest an Octo...
Mike
Mike
Adobo
Contributor
Bflem55:
Just my 2 cents...
One one of my first dives, I have several issues that led to me being out of air at maybe 30 feet. Fortunately, my buddy was in the vicinity and was able to donate his primary reg to me. Unfortunately, his backup reg was a octopus clipped to his hip. It was unfortunate because he was unable to locate and deploy his octopus after he donated his primary reg. So after I took a couple of breaths, my buddy yanked his primary reg out of my mouth which left me in a very uncomfortable situation. (I had to remind him to give the reg back to me after he had taken a couple of breaths.)
Anyway, my personal preference on this is to have the octo on a shorter hose (22"-24") and hanging under my chin. I use a piece of bungee cord as a necklace attached to the octo to keep it in place. See my profile for a pic. If I wasn't doing it this way, I think I would do the alternate air source thing. I would prefer both of these methods because they in both situations, the secondary air source is always in a place where I can find it.
Edit: Oops forgot to add... With either system, I donate my primary reg.
KBLee
Guest
During my certification time my instructor suggested that the reason why the alternate air sourse on the BC was due to people 99% of the time just ripping the primary reg out of their buddy's mouth. If they dont end up ripping it out you should lend them your primary and use your BC reg since it is shorter. I enjoy it becasue it makes it easier to find your primary when it's lost. It also keeps you a bit more stream line.
On our skills test came my dad's first mistake. He seemed to have forgotten that he had to give his primary to me and as i went to grap his primary out of his mouth he decided it would be fun to bite harder. I ended up using his BC reg which is fine, but not recommended. He recognized his mistake and probably wont make it again. Atleast I didnt end up the first diver to die on his skills test.
On our skills test came my dad's first mistake. He seemed to have forgotten that he had to give his primary to me and as i went to grap his primary out of his mouth he decided it would be fun to bite harder. I ended up using his BC reg which is fine, but not recommended. He recognized his mistake and probably wont make it again. Atleast I didnt end up the first diver to die on his skills test.
personally i like octo. its on a longer hose so its possible to keep the buddy at my side, below or above me. its right there clipped on my BC chest, yank it an it comes off ready to use.
i dont like the one integrated to the inlator hose,
the hose keeps trying to pull mouthpiece out
their design is more complicated than an octo for maintenence
i prefer to keep my own reg with me!
i dont think one is definitely advantageous over the other,
if ur thinking of buying one, try beforehand
i dont like the one integrated to the inlator hose,
the hose keeps trying to pull mouthpiece out
their design is more complicated than an octo for maintenence
i prefer to keep my own reg with me!
i dont think one is definitely advantageous over the other,
if ur thinking of buying one, try beforehand
djanni
Contributor
Alternate Air Source guy here. As in Atomic SS1. Donate the primary. Get a good one and depth probably isn't an issue. I'm not saying beyond the 130' recreational limit either, although it still may not matter if it's a good unit.
I’ve test used my 12 year old alternate air at 160’ and though I wouldn’t want to work very hard with it at that depth there was nothing wrong with it and it did the job of getting me air. I like ditching a hose and figure I spent my first 6 years of diving with a 2 hose and no octo or even BC, so what’s the big deal about finding the lightest most streamline configuration that provides safety for the typical situation.
1_T_Submariner
Contributor
I use a similar product (Octo+ from Zeagle) and have found it works great no extra hose etc....The issue I have is your primary hose is a little short to donate. Get a longer one and it will be a good set up. Try breathing off of it sometime. Mine breathes fairly good.
ZzzKing
Contributor
I have an SS1 with my primary on a 5' hose for donating. The deepest I've used it was 110'. Provided plenty of air. No significant difference between it and my Atomic Z2.
If you get one, be sure and practice inflating and deflating your BC with it in your mouth from time to time. It's not difficult but slightly different than a traditional setup.
Oh yeah, and if you use one in a cave or a wreck you'll die. Someone will be along shortly to make sure you know that. They will then try to sell you a backplate and wing and explain that the only way to dive is the way they dive. It's the Scubaboard way.
If you get one, be sure and practice inflating and deflating your BC with it in your mouth from time to time. It's not difficult but slightly different than a traditional setup.
Oh yeah, and if you use one in a cave or a wreck you'll die. Someone will be along shortly to make sure you know that. They will then try to sell you a backplate and wing and explain that the only way to dive is the way they dive. It's the Scubaboard way.
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