question about reg set ups.

[k ellis]

Ok I am advancing into my newer more upgraded gear phase and recently got into the air 2. Now seeing that I got an air 2 now it is in fact your alternate air source. Being that I am future minded that sometimes you plan for mishaps I purchased a piece that goes into the end of the air 2 (The hose that on normal setups is the low pressure inflator hose) This piece converts the larger hose to work on BCDs without the air 2 system.

My question now is this. Since the air 2 is my alternate air if I was to rent a BCD and utilize this conversion piece would it be wise to go ahead and add the alternate air hose that is so standard on rental gear and just leave it on the octo? Or would it be overkill?

 

[a22shady]

Go with the long/short hose configuration get rid of the Air 2 and put your back-up on a necklace around your neck.

 

[Big Toes]

air2 (and any other iteration of the 'my octo is on my bc hose') needs to go bye bye. there are many threads on this board regarding why this should happen; take a look.

erik

 

[vladimir]

Are you asking whether you should have an octopus and an AirII connected at the same time? I'd say no, that would be overkill and would negate the logic that led you to use an Air II to begin with, wouldn't it? I would just attach the octopus on those occasions that you need it, and leave that port plugged at other times.

 

[Bogie]

I agree with vladimir. Only use one at a time either a separate octo or the air2.

I understand why advanced only use octo's with a long hose. Technically they are correct.

That said I use an Octo Z (Air 2 Zeagle) but I don't do high risk dives (very deep, cave, wreck diving) and feel comfortable with integrated octo.

It is important to practice with it and get used to it. It would be a good idea to do a safety dive with your buddy diver at shallow depth and practice air sharing.

Good health and good diving.

 

[keyshunter]

Ok I am advancing into my newer more upgraded gear phase and recently got into the air 2. Now seeing that I got an air 2 now it is in fact your alternate air source. Being that I am future minded that sometimes you plan for mishaps I purchased a piece that goes into the end of the air 2 (The hose that on normal setups is the low pressure inflator hose) This piece converts the larger hose to work on BCDs without the air 2 system.

My question now is this. Since the air 2 is my alternate air if I was to rent a BCD and utilize this conversion piece would it be wise to go ahead and add the alternate air hose that is so standard on rental gear and just leave it on the octo? Or would it be overkill?

Most experienced divers would consider your moving to an Air 2 a downgrade. And, adding the conversion piece you describe just compounds that downgrade since it adds an additional failure point.

The reason octo/inflators are so popular is that at least 99% of divers will never, in their diving careers, be donors in a true OOA emergency at depth. That, coupled with some adept salesmanship tales of "streamlining" have made octo/inflators the bastion of the inexpeienced.

 

[vladimir]

No doubt there is a broad consensus on the Scubaboard that using an AirII is roughly equivalent to using a Kevorkian death machine to ease your transition into the afterlife. And I guess the OP opened the door to this advice by describing his gear change as "upgrading," "advanced," and "future minded." Nevertheless, while I'm not 100% certain what the OP is asking, I'm pretty sure he's not asking whether he should get an AirII, since he has already gotten one.

 

[k ellis]

WOW Valdimir I realized the door I opened after reading this morning. Futureminded was intended to say that since I now have a dedicated hose (Thats larger then the standard power inflator) what happens when I say travel to Hawaii and my bag containing my BCD is lost by the airline. I then have to rent a BCD in which now I do not have an alternate air source due to not haveing the AIR2 I can use my adaptor and use the air2 air hose for the power inflator minus the alternate air source in the event of an OOA that I have to donate an air source.

Upgrade was intended as I feel the air2 is an upgrade. Its like fords and chevies. If you ask a dedicated chevy man he will tell you fords are crap. If you ask a dedicated ford man he will tell you chevies are crap so all in all if it works for a person and they love it then it is in fact an upgrade. If he decided to cut a corner in cost or just the sole purpose of its all that was available then yes its a downgrade.

The changing gear was a result of times of the change. As you dive its like driving a car. Your gear will take a beating even if you maintain it to the fullest. BCD bladders used weekly will begin to show wear and depending on the manufacture and the quality of the BCD and or BPW or any other device utilized it will one day get to the point it cost more to maintain it then it does to replace it. The was where the changing was coming in to play.

 

[Pudsky]

Hmmm, I think you are asking about the low pressure hose quick disconnect on the end of the LP hose. Right? Yes, the AIR2 and the regular inflator couplings are two different sizes. Get yourself one of these and keep it with your regs. You will be ready for both configurations:

Trident Adapter For Air II Hose To Standard Inflator AA09 with reviews at scuba.com

 

[vladimir]

Hmmm, I think you are asking about the low pressure hose quick disconnect on the end of the LP hose. Right?

Wrong, I think.

Trident Adapter For Air II Hose To Standard Inflator AA09 with reviews at scuba.com[/url]

He knows this and has already acquired this adapter:

I purchased a piece that goes into the end of the air 2 (The hose that on normal setups is the low pressure inflator hose) This piece converts the larger hose to work on BCDs without the air 2 system

Please correct me if I'm wrong K. As I understand it: when you rent a BC you plan to use your low pressure hose--with adapter attached--to connect to the low pressure inflator on your rental BC. Since you won't have your AirII, you will attach a conventional octopus to one of the other low-pressure ports, giving you an alternate air source. The question is, I think, should you leave this octopus in place on your regulator when you use your own BC with the AirII? If that is the question, my answer is no, take the octopus off and plug that low-pressure port when you are using your own BC with the AirII.