Scubapro Air 2

[iainwilliams]

Hi -Does nayone have any thought on the air 2? I want to use it as a redudancy regulator should my primary fail. I DO NOT want to use it for a alternate air source as I already have a AAS mounted on my tank. Problems? ease of breathing, reliability issues? Thanks.........Iain

 

[O-ring]

So you want to carry your primary, your backup, and then an air II also?

 

[iainwilliams]

Hi Eric - I have a Apex tx-100 as my primary with an AAS with a long hose that is straped to my tank - this is for out of air folks. I was thinking of an air 2 as a backup reg only in case my primary 2nd stage fails (unlikely, but it does happen). I was keen to find out if anyone had come accross any technical problems with the air 2's - thanks

 

[Crispy]

Iain, I purchased my BCD with one already attached. I have tried it a few times (for skills practice). I don't see and problems with it and IMO it breathes fine.
The one thing that I would add is that it makes manual inflation of the BCD kinda cumbersome.

all-in-all, I give it a thumbs up!

-Crispy

 

[redacted]

Only problem I've had with it is LDSs doing a poor job tuning it. One had it breathing like a brick before he realized he was turning an adjustment in the wrong direction. Another tuned it a bit too close & it started to leak after a couple months. If you can make these adjustments yourself, it would be better. I carry a pony for most of my dives, but when the pony is unnecessary, the air2 fills the bill if I have to assist another diver. I use it fairly regularly at rest stops just to verify that it works. Its use does restrict head movement but I figure if the situation arises where it has to be used, we're headed directly for the surface anyway. It keeps me from having to reconfigure or manage both an octo and a pony (mounted on tank with reg on a necklace).

 

[roakey]

If your primary fails, what's wrong with YOU going to your AAS?

Roak

 

[iainwilliams]

Thanks guys! I agree that the BCD would be slightly more difficult to inflate, but as I amusing a DUI drysuit this is not a problem as I use the suit - not the BCD - but it's a good point to remember. Tuning is always one of those "fickle" things that most people can do better themselves than a so called professional! I like you philosophy AWAP and take on board the poor head movement that useage of the air 2 causes - but as you mentioned if you are using it then something major has occurred to your primary and its time to go up - not look around. I also use a pony from time to time - mostly with EAN 100% for outgassing at 4m from deep dives, therefore another option such as an air 2 is almost vital if your primary 2nd stage fails (obviuosly you cannot breath 100% o2 below a partial pressure of 1.6 atm ( 6 m). I also have a long hose "python" AAS ocky for the out of air diver. Dive safe and have fun

 

[O-ring]

but as I amusing a DUI drysuit this is not a problem as I use the suit - not the BCD

You are using your suit for buoyancy control?

 

[JDostal]

I have an AIR2 on my BC as well, and have been happy with it. I don't mind inflating my BC with it all - I find it quite easy. I like having a decent mouthpiece on it too, so that if I ever have the need to orally inflate it seems easier to me. I use it a little bit on almost every dive I make, just to ensure that it is working (of course, that is after testing it on the surface first). Overall, I'm very happy with it, and it gets rid of clutter as well!

 

[iainwilliams]

Originally posted by O-ring


You are using your suit for buoyancy control?

O-ring: I just re-read my post and realised what I had written! I only put enough air in the suit to make it comfortable at depth. I ensure my weights are correct for the depth and use the BCD for bouyancy control if required. Of course you can use the suit to adjust your bouyancy also, but ONLY if there is no air in the BCD. I have done it both ways! If you use the suit, you MUST always ensure that the suit valve is partly open to allow venting if required! I saw one guy pop to the top - then drop - on a deco stop!! (he was OK). I never use both the suit and BCD for bouyancy control - too many variables to play with on a deep dive.
Hope this clarifies things.............ME