Where to put octo?

[jsmith89]

Let me start out by saying I do neatly 100% deep (over 80ft) wreck dives off of NC. I have been reading some of the post of the DIR forum and have been examining some of the "standard" pieces of DIR equipment for use on my set up. My question is what are the disadvantages in a recreational setting for keeping the octo on a bungee necklace?

-Jacobi

 

[ProfessorAronnax]

That's where I'd want it

 

[DiverBuoy]

None. PADI for example teaches the alternate air source should be in a triangle formed by the chin and the bottom of the ribs, which places the DIR "octo" as you put it - dead center.

As an educator you do have the LDS you work for also making their own rules about how things should be done, and MOST enforce instructors to train students with gear sold by that shop. If the shop pushes an alternate air source like Air2 or SpareAir they may require that you dive with it. Besides this argument I can't think of any other.

The position of the alternate below the chin has another advantage - if it is hung perfectly (as it should be) you can take it with only your head and both arms "tied" behind your back - pretty darn cool if you were stuck in a small passage inside a cave, cavern, or wreck!

 

[jsmith89]

Great,
Thanks, I couldn't think of any disadvantages my self figured i'd ask the 'experts'

-Jacobi

 

[Diesel298]

well you always know where it is. and if configured properly its not gonna be tangled or hungup on anything..
im by no menas DIR but i do like there take on some stuff...
and its not a new thing either cave divers have been doin that it seems for ever.. ive seen some old school cave divin pic where octos where on necklaces

 

[StSomewhere]

Diesel is right, its actually part of the hogarthian gear configuration that DIR was built on. There never will be question of where your backup reg is.

 

[Charlie99]

Great,
Thanks, I couldn't think of any disadvantages my self figured i'd ask the 'experts'

-Jacobi

You'll figure out the only (minor) disadvantage the first time you get back on a boat and forget to remove the bungee necklace before slipping out of your gear and trying to stand back up.

 

[String]

You'll figure out the only (minor) disadvantage the first time you get back on a boat and forget to remove the bungee necklace before slipping out of your gear and trying to stand back up.

Or when passing kit up to a RIB, you're out of the BC, wing, someone on the boat pulls it up and almost strangles you in the process. I did this with alarming regularity with my necklaced pony reg before i side slung it. Experimented with a necklaced octo but decided i preferred no clutter around that area so clip it off elsewhere.

Note:- Equally embarassing when you forget to disconnect drysuit inflator when passing the kit up.

 

[Xman]

The only one I can think of is that you are then configured to preferably donate your primary. Now it all depends whether you are also intending to dive a long hose primary. If you are not, then the primary you go to donate will have too short a hose to be appropriate. Also, a standard octi length hose will not sit properly when bungied and will loop up above your right shoulder.
Nothing wrong with a bungied backup "rather than octo" on a standard rec rig, so long as some thought goes in to appropriate hose lengths (does not necessarily mean a 7' or even 5' hose but these are good choices)

 

[grazie42]

the problem xman talks about can be solved by swithching hoses between primary and secondary...I´d recommend a 7ft hose for your primary but as always YMMV...