safe second v octopus

[Walter]

It got the name because it was the straw that broke the camel's back.

Octopuses do have 8 tentacles. A regulator doesn't have suction cups either, but you understand the concept. It "resembles" an octopus after a fashion. I didn't coin the term, I'm merely explaining it, not defending it.

 

[lanun]

thanks, walter - no offense meant. i was actually also eek: ) trolling to see if i remembered the octopi facts correctly.

 

[theslyfox01]

Interesting thread this, I'm about to buy myself a APEX ATX40 reg setup however instead of getting the octopus I'm considering getting this brand new BC, called an atlas thats got a integrated second stage which is attached to the BC power inflator as well as an air-horn, I'm interested in the fact that its been brought up that its not practical for overhead environments (makes sense since there really isn't enough hose to have your buddy trail behind you while your going head buddy breathing in a tight squeeze.)

When you buddy up with someone would you prefer them to have the standard hose octopus or the intergrated?

here's a link to a pic of the BC if your interested

http://www.diveshop.co.uk/atlas/index.html

By the way are the ATX40's meant to be good? I don't hear much feedback on them thanks

 

[Zept]

theslyfox01 said...
When you buddy up with someone would you prefer them to have the standard hose octopus or the intergrated?

I prefer my dive buddy to have an octopus on a standard hose. If one of my regular buddies wanted to replace theirs with an integrated one, I would try to dissuade them. I think it adds unnecessary complications to an out-of-air scenario. Both divers are temporarily without a regulator... not good... and one diver has restricted head movement during the ascent.

I do quite a few dives with total strangers, so I try to keep my gear standard and simple. If I had one regular buddy and we could practise with an integrated setup, I might feel differently... although I doubt it, the whole 'one less hose' thing seems neither here nor there.

Zept

 

[Conor]

Personally, speaking from limited experience, I would like my buddy to have a solution that offered as much flexibility as possible. The range goes from air integrated at one end of the scale to the long hose at the other. Even in recreational diving you may find yourself in a situation where an integrated second isn't accesible, e.g. in a narrow swim through. I have been a few places on recreational dives that would cause be concern.

Also I have reservations about having the inflator controls and purge buttons etc all on a key piece of equipment during a stressful situation, it just seems like there are too many opportunities for something to go wrong.

As for the ATX 40 there are previous posts that give a good explanation of why I chose this one, but for me the reasons come down to Apeks are a good name, all their regs are considered good, all come cold water ready (in the UK at least) and the ATX40 has simple controls compared to the higher models, which is all I need for my diving at the moment....oh and I got it very cheap