Why give primary instead of alternate regulator?

[chillyinCanada]

Thank you. You reinforce my point.

Mine as well.

 

[Edward3c]

That's a good point. In my OW we had a mix of rental equipment. Of the 10 people in the class, two were given Air2 bcd jackets, of which I was one. At the time, I didn't think much of it, when it came time to do air sharing, the instructor just said "for those of you with Air2, you'll give your buddy your primary regulator and use the Air2 for yourself". OK, no problem, we did it just fine... except that I hated the Air2 because I could not turn my head to my right and see my son/buddy. (Air2 is of course another argument). What's interesting to note is that while I had an Air2, my son/buddy did not. So one of us learned primary donate, the other, alternate.

Being new here, it's been fascinating to watch this one subject garner so much debate.

The BSAC doesn’t accept an AIR2 (or variant) as an acceptable Alternate Supply, a second standard regulator is required.

 

[Brian Huff]

The BSAC doesn’t accept an AIR2 (or variant) as an acceptable Alternate Supply, a second standard regulator is required.

I was SDI. But that's another reason for me to want to learn both. All over the world people are doing it differently. Seems sensible to be fluent in multiple ways.

 

[Brian Huff]

I think to a primary donate diver, the two might sound like this.
Buddy 1: You get the just in case reg that should work and is somewhere, but doesn't affect me.
Buddy 2: You get the reg I'm breathing and I switch to my backup I know I may need.
Maybe not chocolate vs vanilla in terms of the diver's interest in the reg they will donate.

Yup, I get that, and frankly it's the reason I believe I will end up being a primary donate fella... maybe not a long hose guy, but the idea of "oh crap, that person is out out of air, here take this!" resonates with me.

The chocolate vs vanilla comment was meant to illustrate the fact that, frankly, both methods have relevance depending on your experience, training, situation, preference. Again, I'm new, but I'm betting that those folks that have worked up to a primary donate would feel just fine in an alt donate situation. Seems like a good idea to just practice both.

 

[TMHeimer]

Wow--83 posts inside of a day. Maybe I'm oversimplifying it-- As someone said, discuss procedure with buddy ahead of time, since either way would work with most setups. And if someone unexpectedly grabs your primary use your octo.
But, other than courses, I have no experience with OOA in real life so am just talking.

 

[Marie13]

I dive a primary donate setup with a 5ft long hose (requires no tucking of excess in my belt, wraps around my torso nicely). On the local boat if I’m without a buddy, I often end up with instabuddies who’ve never seen a primary donate setup before. Always make sure to explain. My most regular buddy dives a standard alternate donate setup.

 

[Foothills]

I would be most interested in a bit more info concerning these first-hand accounts.

Please share...

u

Nothing exciting. One time was simply when a buddy grabbed his necklaced reg and pulling on it while trying to sort out four regs clustered over the right shoulder. He was pretty frustrated, and not being careful, and when he pulled on the reg, it came off the necklace. Another time was on a charter, one diver was using one those commercial rubber necklaces. It must have been damaged because the reg kept slipping out.

When I think about my own necklace, I am sure if I really pulled on it the region and necklace would part. Which is a good thing. I can'T think of a situation where it would/could happen, but I don't want to be strangled by my own reg.

 

[lowviz]

Nothing exciting. ...//...

My mileage varies. I can't imagine why it wouldn't be exciting...

Both times, for me, were most exciting to witness/participate. I'm guessing that there is (or will be) a rocking thread behind the scenes on the 'captains only' forum. So cap'n D on the I-2 could back me up on how goddam fast bad s$$t can happen.

Some DM got into massive crap at depth and mugged everyone on the line while struggling to the surface for air -to no avail. He made it to the big blue tank in the sky. All ended up well. I was topside at the time, but lots of long faces and second-guessing on the trip back to land.

 

[Bob DBF]

OK, no problem, we did it just fine... except that I hated the Air2 because I could not turn my head to my right and see my son/buddy.

Like any other reg, the hose length can be changed to suit the user. For around five years I used an Air 2 clone and had no issues but the hose length was adjusted for me.

Being new here, it's been fascinating to watch this one subject garner so much debate

Just about any subject can take off this way if interested divers show up. As long as an OOA diver gets air when he needs it, I could give a rats a$$ how it's done, especially if I'm the one needing air.

Maybe I'm oversimplifying it-- As someone said, discuss procedure with buddy ahead of time, since either way would work with most setups. And if someone unexpectedly grabs your primary use your octo.
But, other than courses, I have no experience with OOA in real life so am just talking.

Probably not.

Some donation methods are determined by the gear configuration, and others are because of personal or agency preference. I don't think an OOA diver cares about the donation method, as long as they get air, I know I wouldn't.

An OOA and air share can get everyone's adrenaline running, but if everyone keeps their wits about them, it can turn into just another interesting dive. I doubt if you would have any issue with it.



Bob

 

[MichaelMc]

I think to a primary donate diver, the two might sound like this.
Buddy 1: You get the just in case reg that should work and is somewhere, but doesn't affect me.
Buddy 2: You get the reg I'm breathing and I switch to my backup I know I may need.

I feel I was harsh on the alternate donate side.

It is very possible to buy a good reg for the alternate donate, have a good spot for it, keep it well maintained, keep it clean in the water, and reach for and deploy it cleanly and promptly. I don't think it's the optimal plan, but it is very possible.

On the down side, we see many divers where that does not happen. Whether the alternate being the one they would breath would make a difference, I don't know.

For a diver prone to freezing at any issue, donning a 22" necklaced secondary and primary donate is not a good plan. The OOA diver may well have no air options short of practically hugging the frozen diver to use the 22" backup, which may not go well. Or taking their primary, which is less likely to go well with a frozen diver. With a freeze prone donator, secondary donate or take, with a decent length hose, may be the best plan. That this diver should not be in the water should be obvious. That some divers are this diver is as well.