Question: What's an octopus?

[Kane(adian)]

Here is my guess...

Since the most likely occurance of the octo being used is by someone else, then divers are probably quite willing to hand the the thing over if such a situation develops. So, if they are willing to pass it around, then perhaps it got named this from the octopus being passed around the dinner table?? After all, no one really wants to have to use an octopus, so maybe it got the name from someone who despised the word octopus. Just a thought.

 

[Warhammer]

I'd say that the term Octopus, as it relates to scuba gear, came about just as you suspected, Joe, from the first stage and all it's hoses hanging off like an Octopus. Webster defines octopus as "1. a mollusk with a soft body and eight arms covered with suckers. 2. anything suggesting an octopus; esp., an organization with branches that reach out in a powerfulk and influential manner." That doesn't sound anything like a second stage to me. My guess is some dumb redneck, like myself, started refering to the second stage as an octopus and it just caught on from there. Send me my wine!

 

[joewr]

Sorry, Warhammer, guesses, even clever guesses, do not count! And that is that. I will note, however, that we have had 209 views so far and no one has told us the real story--just supposition and guesses.

I think my bottle of Cabernet will provide Barbara and me some delightful accompaniment to our next homemade meal. My "horse" better be making some real big strides down the stretch!

Joewr

 

[joewr]

Well, Folks,

As I pen this, we have had 266 views without an answer to the question at hand! I almost found myself sipping that Cabernet, but decided to e-mail my "horse".

He told me he was researching the origin, but that he had a lot of irons in the fire...

So, the thread remains open and the bottle closed!

Watch this space for an important announcement.

Joewr (waiting, waiting, waiting, taping, taping, taping the toe of a split fin)

 

[Mario S Caner]

Originally posted by jackdav
I understand from reading that it involves two second stage regulators coming off of the same first stage..... but what IS the octopus? Is it an attachment to the first stage which manifolds out to both regulators, pressure gage, and inflator? Is it the second second stage regulator? What does an octopus look like?

Thanks,
Jack

The original question was [red]"What IS an octopus..."[/red] that question has been answered. What exactly are you reaching for here?

 

[joewr]

I guess I could have started a new Thread, but I am a sorta environmentalist and I wanted to conserve threads...

But, if you want me to, I can start all over...

Joewr (who, I think, has just been flamed...........)

 

[rainreg]

Hey Joewr, what you asked me for was where did the term Octopus originate from? If this is correct I will finish up my homework on it and reply if you merely wanted to know what an octopus was well that has been answered many times now in this post. Please be clear in what you request, we can get the answers just be clear as it wastes time when unclear requests are made.

let me know which way to go.

rain1

 

[joewr]

Originally posted by joewr


I tend to rely on logic and I am guessing that my dive instructor, a wonderful teacher and person, probably told me exactly what Mario the Maddening so eloquently stated above. However, I probably looked at him holding all the strange appearing gear and said to myself, "Self, the octopus is the gadget with all the arms," and I was happy (as in fat, dumb and....). Because, LOGICALLY speaking, something with 4 appendages looks more like an octopus (the animal) than something with only one appendage.

Sooooo--winding up for the high, hard one--why the hell is the alternate air device called the "octopus"? I have looked in every scuba book that I own, Websters, Roget's, and Martha Stewart's Seafood for Singles. And I just cannot find an explanation.

Rainreg,

Here is what I posted further up on this thread. Cutting out all the stuff that I pass of as humor, isn't clear? If not, I was asking for the etymology of the word, "octopus", as it relates to the alternate air device scuba divers use. I think that is what my original question says.......

Joewr

 

[divebum1]

Just a quick note. I have your answer to the question as to where the octopus name came from. Just a back ground I have been free diving for 35 years, I started when I was 10 years old, I have been scuba diving for 32 years, my father owned a dive shop from 1960 to 1997 when we sold it. The answer is in one publication that I know of but is no longer in circulation. If you have not received your answer yet let me know and I will explain.

 

[joewr]

Divebum1,

I am all ears--or I guess, eyes, in this case!

And where in California--and tell us all about your dad's dive shop...at least, I am interested. I love history!

Joewr