Octopus

[H2Andy]

LOL! OK, just the second regulator or the whole primary and attached hoses?

the term was first used to refer to a first stage with more
than one hose (for SPG, two or more second stages, etc.).
visually, it looked like an octopus with many dangling tentacles.

somehow, the term was then applied to the back-up
second stage, which looks NOTHING like an octopus.

not sure how that happened, but when someone says
"octopus" today, nine times out of ten they mean
"back-up second stage"

 

[Bob3]

Yep, I agree w/the above comments. Octo = extra 2nd stage.
An additional complete reg, 1st + 2nd stages, should be called the backup.
The term "safe second" was no doubt written by someone getting paid by the word to write an article so he had to invent a new phrase for us to get confused over.

 

[String]

Octopus == the spare 2nd stage. The whole assembly looks like an octopus but the term definately only applies to the second stage.

Of course, "Alternate air source" term is used here a bit and avoids that confusion

 

[Wildcard]

I think it's about time the second regulator was called something besides octopus. It looks nothing like an octo!

 

[H2Andy]

how about calling it Alternative Second State, or A.S.S. for short?

girls could have a blast with this: oh my god, Debbie! check out that guy's A.S.S. It is just sooooooooooo peachy!

 

[MikeC]

The term "safe second" was no doubt written by someone getting paid by the word to write an article so he had to invent a new phrase for us to get confused over.

NASDS used the term "safe second" in the mid 90's when I got certified.


H2Andy, you need to get out more often.......

 

[H2Andy]

dude, you're READING my post and comenting on it ... so... we BOTH need to get out more often