flots am
Contributor
- Messages
- 3,226
- Reaction score
- 1,859
- # of dives
- I just don't log dives
Hi, I'm about to purchase my first set of scuba gear and was wondering if I should get 2 second stage or one of the air2? The air2 seems more convenience since I don't have an extra tube. However, the guy at the shop recommend me getting 2 second state because a dedicated air source is safer. Is this the case? And is there any major different between air2 vs air3? Thanks
This has all been covered, but here's my 2 cents anyway.
The Air-2 doesn't breathe as well as a good reg. However it's for you, not the OOA diver, and at recreational depths, you'll only need to breathe it for maybe 4 or 5 minutes maximum, ever, since it's only used for a direct ascent to the surface.
The Air-2 is always accessible since it's also your BC inflator. You can't lose it. It's probably already in your hand. It will work. This is a huge difference for divers who leave their alternate second stage trailing off like a streamer in the wind or laying in the mud or sand.
Other side of the coin:
A really good alternate second stage will make you and the OOA diver very happy in an emergency, if you can find it and keep it serviced and clean and easily accessible.
All things considered, if you have the discipline to care for it and mount it properly and practice with it, I'd recommend an alternate second stage that's at least as good as your primary second stage.
If it's just going to hang there and be ignored until you need it, or you're going to buy something cheap marketed as an "octo", I'd go with the Air-2 instead.
Also, I use the term "Air-2" as a generic term. I actually like Atomic Aquatic's SS-1 better, and it can be unscrewed from the BC hose and kept with your other regs to avoid damage.
flots.
---------- Post added May 8th, 2014 at 02:01 PM ----------
If I'm out of air, I'm going for the reg that I SEE is working!
AFAIK, new divers are taught to donate the primary second stage (the one that's working).
This means that from the OOA diver's perspective, nothing changes regardless of the donor's configuration.
---------- Post added May 8th, 2014 at 02:03 PM ----------
The big difference between the AirSource 3 and the Air3/SS1 is that you can deflate through the AirSource 3. With the other two, you have to take it out of your mouth to deflate.
All three deflate without removing from your mouth. There's an exhaust valve on the bottom.
That's why oral inflation requires a significant push on the "big button" (no other way to describe it anymore since the color and shape keeps changing).