Scuba Sean:Freds, From what i know about the Air2... Yes, it would be rendered useless if the LP hose was disconnected. However, i have never handled that product in person. (so take that with a grain of salt.)
With the way my rig is set up the octo would not be rendered useless with the QD unatached. My octo is inline, not part of the power inflation device itself.
Has anyone out there practiced BC breathing? it is my understanding that most scuba shops do not teach this anymore due to the risk of lung infection.
The Atomic SS1, also an integrated octo, would lose power inflation, if the LP hose was disconnected (as would any BC inflator). However, it would still work for oral BC inflation and, of course, deflation (as would any BC inflator).
I can only see this as being problematic, if you simultaneously experienced both a stuck inflator valve AND a failed primary reg or OOA buddy... and, if that's the case, I'd go home and do a little reflection on whom you've pissed off recently...
I had a similiar event early in March, due to my own stupidity. I religously have my reg checked before my yearly month vacation in Mexico, but, this year I didn't check my BCD(DUMB) on my first dive I was a bit overweighted and added a little air to my BC and then took off for the surface, I flared, I dumped air but still kept going, only when I popped up on the surface did I remember to release my LP hose! On checking my inflator I noticed the little spring valve was corrided bad enough that it busted allowing the air to run. Good lesson learned a dive lost and an embarassing boat ride back to shore when the other 8 divers finished. NEVER AGAIN will I not check my BCD.
