Addicted2H2O
Contributor
I'm not in either camp honestly, as the most acceptable method for donating to an OOA diver is the one that actually works and you're most comfortable performing. I think most agencies teach donating the octo, but I also think it depends on the instructor. I'm not currently set up to donate my primary and stow my secondary on a necklace, as I primarily dive a full face mask and donating my primary just won't work. But along the lines of what you said, since you pointed out that before a diver beings his/her dive they have checked their secondary to ensure its proper operation, wouldn't it be feasible to think it would still be working 30 minutes into the dive (as you previously stated) and just as safe to donate as the primary out of the donating diver's mouth? The only difference I can see if that the OOA diver at least has complete assurance that the reg taken directly from the donating diver's mouth is indeed working and may help to ease the situation just a bit more. But if the question here is regarding the spread of communicable disease, aside from all the "you shouldn't be diving" comments, it would indeed be "safer" to donate the octo. Again, with my current setup, that's the only option because my primary reg is permanently attached to my mask. I do; however, carry a spare 2nd stage and traditional mask in a BC pocket in case I'm forced to doff my ffm during a dive. Then I can attach the spare 2nd stage via QD fitting and still have a reg to donate to an OOA diver if necessary.I disagree most strongly!
In an out of air situation, the standard of care is to give the regulator that has been working perfectly (your primary), and then take the spare reg that is hanging around your throat for yourself, since you checked it at the start of the dive it should still be working 30 minutes later.
What the panicked out-of-air diver doesn't need is problems with the donated reg!
If you are not willing to assume buddy duties for others, dive alone!
Michael