Placement of Octo (possible Alternative?)

[TexasMike]

I've had a question about octo placement that I've wanted to ask the board for some time.

I am one of the lucky few Americans who received their open water certification at the Great Barrier Reef in Australia (from Pro-Dive out of Cairns. an operation I recommend).

During training, pool, o/w, and post o/w dives, we were told to tuck the hose of the octo up under an innertube "rubber band" that was around the tank. The 2nd stage would then be tucked in the crease of the tank and vest BC.

And during pool and o/w work, were were trained to grab this safe second and donate it to the OOA diver (or if a panicked diver grabbed the one in my mouth, reach behind and breath on it myself).

It was only after a review of the PADI book and doing more dives here in the US that I learned about the "Golden Triangle" placement method taught here.

One of the net results of doing this the Aussie way was that the hoses were very streamlined and the snag hazard was somewhat reduced.

So my question is, as long as I fully brief my buddy to a "non-standard" way of doing things, what is your opinions on using the Aussie method?

 

[tombiowami]

I think the best place for the octo is the necklace bungee, that way it is always where you need it.

Why someone would put their 2nd stage behind their back is very strange to me.

I have always thought that just having octo trailing around like I was one of the more ridiculous items I have seen.

It seems the Aussie way could lead to not knowing where the octo was, or it falling out of the bungee, etc.

Tommy

 

[neil]

Mike,
I like the idea. It's the way I stow my pony regulator, and I think it's the way some tekkies stow stage regs. When I decided to use that method I tried a few things to make it NOT work, but it seems very dependable. It's not easily restowable if it comes out accidently, but I don't see that as a problem for OW diving.

As long as you and your buddy practice with it, I don't see why it shouldn't be an option.

Neil

 

[92630Diver]

During the boat dives of my PADI OW course I happened to get some pointers from the boat captain, a very experienced diver. He suggested that I loop the hose of the octopus in such a manner as to slide it up into the "pocket" of the BC's right shoulder harness. The "pocket" being where the webbing for the shoulder harness is sandwiched between the material of the BC. This "pocket" is likely to vary in depth depending on the size and manufacture of the BC. With the BC's that I've rented this "pocket" provides about 4" - 6" of depth and 2" in width, wide enough to accept a loop of the octopus hose.

The octopus is then securely attached within the "Golden Triangle", quickly accessible, conveniently located, and streamlined (no long hose extending away from me as I swim along). This has worked quite well for me.

Of course this probably doesn't apply to a BP/Wing configuration as the "pocket" in question wouldn't exist on the right shoulder of a harness system other than perhaps a DiveRite or OMS IQ Pack.

 

[Rick Murchison]

I think what we're seeing here is more an evolutionary than a regional difference. When the idea of the safe second was catching on, there were many different ways of mounting it, each with their proponents and detractors. Right side, left side, tucked, quick release, bungee, BC pocket, side of tank, "golden triangle," at the throat...
I think all agencies now advocate either a quick-release clip located in the "golden triangle" or bungeed around the neck. There is still a wide split between donating the primary or the secondary, with evolution toward the primary.
There are merits to almost any arrangement - to me the key issues are "what does my buddy expect me to do; what do I expect my buddy to do; what will I do if someone does something else?" As long as you're comfortable with the answers to those three questions then your safe-second arrangement is a good one.
Rick

 

[Scubaroo]

TexasMike,

One of the net results of doing this the Aussie way was that the hoses were very streamlined and the snag hazard was somewhat reduced.

Seeing as this was diving done out of Cairns, the main concern here is probably to minimise reef damage on the GBR from dangling octos. I was certified in Melbourne (southern Australia), and we were taught the standard PADI chest triangle, using either a scumball or a hoseclip to keep the octo in place (I use a bungeed octo now).

So it's not really an "aussie" way of doing things, just another dive operator's variation, one that probably makes sense for the majority of students in the area, who are receiving resort training while on vacation and aren't likely to dive until their next holiday.

Ben

 

[ChrisM]

and thought the octo strapped to the tank was a little odd....but then again I only had ten dives or so.

The absolute best placement is bungeed around the neck

Chris

 

[The Chairman]

But this is a family board! It would give new functionality to the purge valve though! nyuk, nyuk, nyuk...

I like the golden triangle in a yellow scumball.

 

[VTWarrenG]

What the hell is a scumball?

You wacky rec divers...

- Warren

 

[neil]

Originally posted by Rick Murchison
imary.
There are merits to almost any arrangement - to me the key issues are "what does my buddy expect me to do; what do I expect my buddy to do; what will I do if someone does something else?" As long as you're comfortable with the answers to those three questions then your safe-second arrangement is a good one.
Rick

That's what I MEANT to say And worth seeing again, Rick.

Neil