Standard octo vs. Atomic SS1 tradoffs

[diverdizzy]

I'm shopping for my first set of personal gear and wanted to get opionions on going with a standard otco backup regulator or getting one of the new 2nds that are integrated into the BCD dump like the Atomic SS1 or the Scuba Pro Air 2. Are there any drawbacks of the integrated 2nd? Which setup is safer? Is there a favorite model amoung the integrated reg/BCD types.

 

[Phud]

If your buddy is breathing off the integrated model you would need to dump air on ascent through some other means.

 

[Nay]

If your buddy is breathing off the integrated model you would need to dump air on ascent through some other means.

...which I don't find hard at all. 99% of air dumping for me is done using my right shoulder dump or lower right one.
To your question, I like my Air2. Some people think they're really unwise choices, but you'll have to make the decision yourself. I haven't had any issues.

 

[cagemaker]

I HAD an Air2. I liked the idea of one less hose. Feeling that it was a backup and would not be used often lessened its importance.

I took a rescue class and used my Air2. Everyone else had an octo. In doing the rescue scenarios, it was definitely easier with the octo. This was in training and with a known buddy.

When being thrown together on a boat with anyone as a buddy, and/or helping anyone in the group, a separate octo is the only way to go. Most notable when ascending: checking depth, maintaining BC, with ONE or BOTH hands on the victim! Having the inflator/deflator in your mouth is awkward with all this going on.

I switched to a separate octo and feel safer. The quality of the Air2 and Atomic are fine. It is the style and use that should be questioned.

cagemake

 

[RonFrank]

If your buddy is breathing off the integrated model you would need to dump air on ascent through some other means.

Most BCD's that are designed to work with the AirII or Zeagle Octo+ have shoulder dumps.

 

[David P]

When getting certified and doing ooa scenarios, my buddy who had an air 2 repeatedly donated his primary reg and grabbed his snorkle and tried to breath instead of the air 2. He also said the hose was a bit too short and made looking up a bit akwards. I like the idea of the air 2 but opted for a secondary bungeed around my neck instead. My instructor tried an SS1 but wasnt sure what he thought of it. He is an ex-frogman did the comercial thing... blah blah lots of experience... then he had to do a rescue on a buddy who screwed up and went ooa. They had to surface from quite a depth with the instructor on the SS1, he said it was great and now he actually suggests them. In a perfect world a set up with a SS1 and an air integrated wrist computer would be great only 2 hoses!

 

[RonFrank]

First off, if you did not have an octo at that time, how would you know it would be easier?

What about having the inflator near the mouth makes it more akward vs. having it hanging down the left shoulder? I would think it's EASIER to find your mouth vs. a dangling inflator?

As for dumping air, It's easier for me to dump by pulling on the inflator hose vs. holding the thing above my head.

I've certainly read the arguments both ways. About the ONLY good argument I've read on why the integrated Octo MIGHT be an issue is that one can NOT continue a dive (or should not) if the inflator is leaking as it could impact the performace of the Octo. I'm not 100% sure it WOULD impact the octo performance, nor am I sure it's a great idea to continue in any event.

While the integrated units are NOT favored by many...

1) Most every instructor in our shop uses them.
2) Most every one who does not like them does not actually use them.

Kudos to Cagemaker who actually posted his experiences WITH the AirII even if I'm not clear on WHY having the Air II would make a rip of difference in rescue other than one has to replace their primary prior to handing over the octo.

 

[cagemaker]

Initiating an ascent with an unresponsive (worst case) victim. Adding air, subtracting air from my BC and dumping air from the victim's BCD. One hand around victim. I had more control with the inflator in one hand above my head, adding and subtracting air. The victim's BC must be dealt with as well. Over inflate, under inflate. It is stressful. If I had experience with many rescues and much more training I may feel differently.

My point is that for the average recreational diver with reasonable training, faced with a severe situation, the octo is easier. I prefer fewer hoses. I made the Air2 work in training. Moving your hand from the inflator to the dump valve is just one more thing in a stressful situation, and I rather not deal with it.

cagemaker

 

[scubatoys]

When getting certified and doing ooa scenarios, my buddy who had an air 2 repeatedly donated his primary reg and grabbed his snorkle and tried to breath instead of the air 2.

Sounds like a good reason to ditch the snorkel... not the air II.

I prefer the Atomic over the Scubapro/Tusa model (same unit with different colored buttons), and in an emergency, I'd rather have an octo inflator. It is almost instinct to give away your primary reg if someone comes up to you out of air... and if you don't, they'll probably grab it anyway. Then finding an inflator octo is vastly easier than finding a standard octo. You know right where it is, you touch an inflator many more time during a dive than you do an octo.

I actually dive with both... it's the redundancy department of redundancy.... but if you told me I could only have one... Personally, I'd take an octo inflator attached to my bc. But that is not to say that people who prefer a standard octo are wrong... just what I like.

 

[David P]

Sounds like a good reason to ditch the snorkel... not the air II.

Can't argue with that... but it was basic training.