Octopus requirements for Divemaster Training

[edneeves]

I am due to start my PADI Divemaster course in July and I have a question.

I dive with an ATX200 plus an AP Valves Buddy Commando with the Air2. My question is:

Are there any guidelines that require me to have a seperate octopus or am I ok to use my Air2?

I would prefer not to have to shell out for another reg, but if there are course requirements or saftely concerns then it may be best to know before I start the course.

Cheers,

Ed.

 

[The Chairman]

You should use whatever your students are being taught to use. When I was enamored with my AirIIs I did only one DM stint with them. I had a substandard rebuild of my Micra catch me unawares and I had to use my air2 to finish the dive. It would have been very awkward to buddy breathe with at best. For a while after that, I had an octo in addition to my AirII... until I really got serious about being neutral and figured out that the AirII put way too much air in when you hit the button. So now you can find my AirIIs in the SB marketplace.

 

[scubadoguk]

You should use whatever your students are being taught to use. When I was enamored with my AirIIs I did only one DM stint with them. I had a substandard rebuild of my Micra catch me unawares and I had to use my air2 to finish the dive. It would have been very awkward to buddy breathe with at best. For a while after that, I had an octo in addition to my AirII... until I really got serious about being neutral and figured out that the AirII put way too much air in when you hit the button. So now you can find my AirIIs in the SB marketplace.

I am with Net doc get a regular octo then you can train in all classes making you the go to man as you can help with students with air 2 and students with regular octo as the regular octo will be more available in the rental world where most students live, but , some students will buy a air 2 type device and you will have a set up that complements that as well. by the way enjoy the learning experience.

 

[edneeves]

Bugger! I kind of thought that would be the answer. Any suggestions for a good octopus. I would like to keep it Apeks.

Ed.

 

[scubadoguk]

Bugger! I kind of thought that would be the answer. Any suggestions for a good octopus. I would like to keep it Apeks.

Ed.

well in a word, no, it's the UK come over here for a visit buy a octo use it no vat ?? on return to dear ol blighty
or cough up the dosh for a apex over there, to be honest I have a sherwood alt and it works great

 

[edneeves]

Its just going to be a personal preference thing I suppose.

Cheers for all the advice.

Ed.

 

[The Chairman]

My choice for a traditional Octo is the Viper... it doesn't matter which end is "up".

 

[wmspdi]

I am working on my DM now. My instructor doesn't care if you have a combo octo/inflator, but he still wants you to have a traditional octo for demonstrations (and practice with OW students). He has one if each on his rig to allow him to demo both systems to his students. I removed my AirSource because the hose was too stiff, and it wanted to pull out of my mouth if I didn't keep a death grip on the mouth piece. Forget about turning your head.

BTW... Get a good octo because you may spend time breathing off of it in OW training classes. I like easy breathers so I use a MK25, X650 and an S600 (on a yellow hose) so I can adjust the cracking pressures to avoid freeflows at the surface (and when not in use). Granted the S600 is a little pricey for an octo, but it works for me.

 

[scubadoguk]

My choice for a traditional Octo is the Viper... it doesn't matter which end is "up".

On that vein I used a areis gyro (same idea as the vyper) for some time but after ALOT of use in the pool training it will not seal on the swivel but it is 3 yrs old and untold uses in the ow and pool I may end up getting another if the budget allows but for now I used my old (10 yrs) sherwood.

 

[edneeves]

I am a bit of a stickler for buying good stuff. It breaks the bank in the beginning but I think its worth it. I have my eye on the TX50 from Apeks, no reason why, but my ATX200 is really smooth so I assume it will be of comparrable quality.

Good point about having to use it lots myself, I hadn't thought about that one!

Ed.