what's this all about ???

[MXGratefulDiver]

Been seeing a lot of interesting rigs lately, and I'm wondering if there's some agency out there who's "teaching" the use of a long hose on a standard recreational rig.

For the most part these are standard setups ... a BCD, sometimes with a pony, console gauges, etc. ... but with a long hose on the primary. Some are wearing necklaced second stages, but most are using a standard octopus clipped off inside the "triangle".

The thing that's most noticeable though is that most of these rigs don't have a clip on the long hose. I watched a guy almost step on his regulator last night while gearing up, and a few more with it laying in the dirt while they were putting their rigs on. One guy even took a few steps across the parking area dragging his reg before he realized he hadn't wrapped it across his chest and behind his head. That can't be good for the performance of the regulator.

I dunno if I'm finally morphing into a dive "nazi" or what ... but I had to stifle the urge to go ask these folks if they had really thought out what they were doing. Not my business though ... so I didn't.

Is this a trend, a local fad, or perhaps just a bunch of people who see something that they think is a good idea but haven't really got enough info to implement it correctly? What are y'all out there in other parts of the world seeing?

I personally think the use of a longer hose is a good thing for OOA situations ... but those using it should really put some thought into how to configure the thing properly to avoid potential problems. Seems to me that a long hose routed across in front of an octopus clipped onto a D-ring is creating more problems that it's solving ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[rjchandler]

well people have been recommending recreational use of the long hose since the dir bandwagon started rolling. I expect those divers have been spending a lot of time on Scubaboard.

 

[The Kraken]

I think you've found the crux of the situation, NW.
Could be they are members of this board and, for whatever reasons, have recognized the practicallity of the long hose primary regulator.

Perhaps the DIR/GUE proponents of the board could add a little more to their descriptions with the respect to the rig so that these snafus could be avoided.

 

[Doc Intrepid]

Seems to me that a long hose routed across in front of an octopus clipped onto a D-ring is creating more problems that it's solving ...

Appears to be a perfect example of people adopting part of a system with an inadequate appreciation for how the system components work together. Are your sightings at Alki? Fifth D is teaching OW with long hose, however, I suspect they don't rig their students as you describe.

If you inquire in a judgemental tone I suspect they'll react accordingly, but if you simply ask out of curiosity where they got the notion to add a long hose to a rec rig they might be happy to fill you in. I admit, I'm curious also



BTW, love the Hunter quote in your sig!

 

[JeffG]

I think you've found the crux of the situation, NW.
Could be they are members of this board and, for whatever reasons, have recognized the practicallity of the long hose primary regulator.

Perhaps the DIR/GUE proponents of the board could add a little more to their descriptions with the respect to the rig so that these snafus could be avoided.

Thats right...It their fault...What about personal responsibility? No one forced them to go to the long hose and use it incorrectly.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Appears to be a perfect example of people adopting part of a system with an inadequate appreciation for how the system components work together. Are your sightings at Alki? Fifth D is teaching OW with long hose, however, I suspect they don't rig their students as you describe.

If you inquire in a judgemental tone I suspect they'll react accordingly, but if you simply ask out of curiosity where they got the notion to add a long hose to a rec rig they might be happy to fill you in. I admit, I'm curious also



BTW, love the Hunter quote in your sig!

I have seen it at Alki ... but last night's dive was at Day Island Wall. There were three groups that showed up separately ... and about 75% of them were similarly accoutred.

My buddy and I were the only "DIR" rigged divers ... and although I do not consider myself a DIR diver, I was concerned that looking like one might get a less-than-positive response if I attempted to ask them about their configuration.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Thats right...It their fault...What about personal responsibility? No one forced them to go to the long hose and use it incorrectly.

Actually, I didn't read that into what he said ... however, I also think the DIR folks on the board do go to great lengths to adequately describe what they are doing, and why.

There are two shops that are prevalent in this area ... neither of which is exactly what I'd call DIR-friendly.

I'm not interested in generating criticisms of people who do this ... I'm just wondering if there's a trend that involves some kind of "rec-tec" gear orientation. If so, I hope they start putting some more thought into what they're doing.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[JeffG]

Actually, I didn't read that into what he said ... however, I also think the DIR folks on the board do go to great lengths to adequately describe what they are doing, and why.

There are two shops that are prevalent in this area ... neither of which is exactly what I'd call DIR-friendly.

I'm not interested in generating criticisms of people who do this ... I'm just wondering if there's a trend that involves some kind of "rec-tec" gear orientation. If so, I hope they start putting some more thought into what they're doing.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

Well...I read it like that ...But I do see his/yours side on the gory details of "the configuration"

As far as the Trend....Who knows what causes it. I do not believe it has anything to do with Internet discussion boards. Just not enough divers take part. (vs all the divers out there, but maybe the diehard local type divers are more likely to take part on an Internet disscussion board??...maybe??)

But I have seen some of the same thing. I was just in Calgary, diving at Lake Minnew_anka, and there was a lot of long hoses...(mind you..there was also allot of the "Regular" setups as well.)

 

[Quarrior]

To me the use and configuration of the long hose is not something one can learn here on the board. This is something that must be shown. It is far to dangerous if routed incorrectly. There are many things which can be learned on this and other boards, but one must use discreation as to which is which.

For that matter this past weekend I saw a guy in some kind of class wearing a BP/W, DS, and single tank with the long hose. Had the thing wrapped completely wrapped around his neck. I was tempted to address the issue with his instructor, but decided it was not my place to correct an instructor considering how "new" I am to this sport.

 

[sea nmf]

So, I have a question. From someone who thinks the long hose is a good idea but has not adopted it (because I want to take the class but it is OUTRAGOUSLY expensive here in Hawaii), are you saying that you have to adopt the entire tech rig in order to use and route the long hose configuration properly?

I would guess that you could use a jacket BC, single tank, etc, and STILL have the hose configured properly. I agree someone should show you the correct way before you try it.