Question Why is my octopus missing an alternate regulator?

[elco28]

I inherited a bunch of dive gear a few years ago, got it serviced in late 2019 but never ended up using it. My only dive trip was in 2017 and I live in Colorado, so I would like to get rid of the gear and just rent whenever I end up doing my next trip.
Looking at my Sherwood octopus, I noticed it only has 3 hoses: one for a regulator, low pressure inflator, and pressure gauge. Why isn't there a hose for an alternate regulator? I'm not sure whether this used to be the norm for older models, or if I'm missing something. Unfortunately I have lost the phone number of the woman who gave me the gear, and I don't seem to have any paper or electronic record of the servicing from 2019.
Forgive me if this is a silly question--I'm still a relatively inexperienced diver, but I want to make sure I'm giving this gear to someone knowing everything I can about it.

 

[BoltSnap]

Looking at my Sherwood octopus

The world "octopus" is the term used for the "alternate" second stage. What you are looking at is a "regulator system" without an alternate second/octopus. The alternate second (SSI calls it "safe second" I think) or octopus is a "second" second stage that is bought by itself. When you buy a regulator, it doesn't mean that it will have an octopus with it, you have to buy that as an add-on to complete the set.

 

[Edward3c]

I inherited a bunch of dive gear a few years ago, got it serviced in late 2019 but never ended up using it. My only dive trip was in 2017 and I live in Colorado, so I would like to get rid of the gear and just rent whenever I end up doing my next trip.
Looking at my Sherwood octopus, I noticed it only has 3 hoses: one for a regulator, low pressure inflator, and pressure gauge. Why isn't there a hose for an alternate regulator? I'm not sure whether this used to be the norm for older models, or if I'm missing something. Unfortunately I have lost the phone number of the woman who gave me the gear, and I don't seem to have any paper or electronic record of the servicing from 2019.
Forgive me if this is a silly question--I'm still a relatively inexperienced diver, but I want to make sure I'm giving this gear to someone knowing everything I can about it.

That was the normal configuration before an alternate source/octopus was added. The reg show is air balanced so people will constantly tell you it’s leaking as a stream of bubbles constantly comes out of what looks like the black button.

 

[Whitrzac]

That setup was used with an air2/similar BC inflator

 

[runsongas]

@elco28 you have an enlarged fitting inflator hose designed for an integrated octo/inflator on the bcd is why

 

[rhwestfall]

Yep. wherever the BCD is that was with that set, there is a combo regulator/inflator on it....

 

[rx7diver]

... Looking at my Sherwood octopus, I noticed it only has 3 hoses: one for a regulator, low pressure inflator, and pressure gauge. Why isn't there a hose for an alternate regulator? ...

Others already mentioned that that "low pressure inflator" hose there on your 1st stage plugs into a combination back-up second stage + power inflator. You can replace this hose with a regular power inflator hose (to use with a regular power inflator), if you wish.

And you can remove one of the low pressure ports from your 1st stage, and attach a regulator hose to which is attached a (another) regular 2nd stage, if you wish. This will be your octopus 2nd stage.

Maybe you already know this, but it wasn't so long ago that people would regularly dive using neither an octopus 2nd stage nor a combination back-up 2nd stage + power inflator. When open water courses taught buddy breathing, this simpler, less cluttered configuration was a "standard" configuration. My NAUI/YMCA open water course in 1986 used this simpler configuration. I still dive this way, myself, sometimes.

rx7diver

But

 

[elco28]

Thanks everyone for your responses, I see now where the low pressure inflator connects to the BCD and there is indeed a regulator on the BCD. That answers it!

 

[davehicks]

Here is an article you can read that will give you a quick tutorial on different type of regulators and their features. It might help fill any gaps you have in your knowledge of this subject.

Info - How to Choose a Regulator

How to Choose a Regulator (an overview of features and their value) One of the first pieces of equipment that every diver will acquire is a set of Regulators. This is one of the most critical pieces of your gear as it enables you to breathe underwater and are considered to be life safety...

scubaboard.com

 

[MB NZ]

I sometimes dive with one second stage on my main cylinder, so my configuration would be similar to the one in the opening post. I have specific reasons for a specific set of circumstances (I can see that statement kicking off a whole discussion!). Not recommended for beginners.