You have GOT TO BE KIDDING!- New Aqualung BC

[rakkis]

As you can see, the quote in the OP does not indicate which way to push the lever to go up or down, just that using the lever you can control which way you are going, up or down.

Sure, but plenty other places including the AL website and magazine ads not only imply but state to "pull the lever up to go up" and to create "positive buoyancy to ascend".



It doesn't whether you use your lungs or BCD to control buoyancy. (In fact, I misrepresented what I teach by typing in haste - lungs are fine tuning, BCD is gross adjustment. ) The point is that you do not inflate to go up. No matter which bag you're putting air into.

 

[Diver Dennis]

I agree that the wording could be a lot better rakkis but I think they took for granted that certified divers would figure it out and apply that statement to buoyancy control.

My main point was that the BC itself is not inherently flawed and dangerous.

 

[HowardE]

And while we're discussion air expansion, let's be honest about that demo. Sure it's neat and shows the feature well.

Just stop there and you're fine... keep reading into it, and you're digging too deep... trying to make it sound like more than it is. It's just a side mounted hoseless inflater valve.

 

[Diver Dennis]

Thanks for the common sense howarde.

 

[loosebits]

Ok, I've not read this whole thread but can someone explain the benefits to such a system over a properly rigged corrugated hose? Do any of those benefits outweigh the risk of a would-be rescuer not being able to figure out your system?

Here's what I love about the corrugated hose:

1) It is fairly standard.
2) It is easy and inexpensive to replace.
3) No hidden tubes needed to orally inflate - everything is in one place.
4) I can dump air from virtually any position - may be true of this system as well, I don't know.
5) In more advanced diving (doubles in the overhead), it can be used as an alternate regulator for the doner in an air sharing situation. For example, if while sharing air I have a roll off on my left post and can't get to it for whatever reason, I can breath off my inflator as it's on the right post. Granted, this isn't an issue for OW diving but just something that comes to mind.

For this to be considered as something more than a marketing gimmick, wouldn't it need to show itself better than the standard system? I just don't see the problem it is trying to address.

<old-geezer-voice>Now you damn kids, get off my lawn.</old-geezer-voice>

 

[rakkis]

My main point was that the BC itself is not inherently flawed and dangerous.

Sure. I've already agreed with that.


My main point:
The concept of inflating to ascend is the feature being touted. According to AL, this makes diving more intuitive and easier. They fully intend for people to use this "feature" as an elevator button.

There would be no issue if they said "pull the lever down to deflate your BCD and ascend". This is the correct usage of the device. I'm sure the documentation that comes with the BCD will state as much. But how many average people read manuals now a days? AL is being irresponsible by fully endorsing a practice that could be dangerous.

 

[Diver Dennis]

Good point loosebits. I'm not sure it's better or even as good as a regular corrugated hose system. My point was, how can anyone say it is flawed or dangerous if they have never tried it? Look at the title of the thread, it is inferring that AL is putting out a joke of a product here but I have seen little evidence to back it up. I would like to know too.

I dive doubles at times and do have a BP/W and a BC so I have no ulterior motive here. I just want facts to prove it's not a good product which we won't have until someone here looks at it or tests it.

 

[rakkis]

It's just a side mounted hoseless inflater valve.

True, but other BCD manufacturers don't say "press the inflator button to ascend". I believe that is the point being discussed. Not the merits or disadvantages of the design.

 

[Diver Dennis]

My main point:
The concept of inflating to ascend is the feature being touted. According to AL, this makes diving more intuitive and easier. They fully intend for people to use this "feature" as an elevator button.

There would be no issue if they said "pull the lever down to deflate your BCD and ascend". This is the correct usage of the device. I'm sure the documentation that comes with the BCD will state as much. But how many average people read manuals now a days? AL is being irresponsible by fully endorsing a practice that could be dangerous.

I guess we will just have to agree to disagree because I don't see them fully endorsing it's use for ascent to the surface. If you are right, then someone is going to get fired because these guys are not just new to the dive market and I can't fathom where AL would knowingly do that.

 

[HowardE]

I just read about the new BC with the i3 inflator.

A direct quote :"The innovative i3 allows divers to simply and intuitively control their ascent and descent by pulling a lever up and down to surface or dive deeper."

What happened to buoyancy control??? And look at the design, does that handle look like an entanglement hazard looking to happen? Imagine some kelp getting wrapped around it and you shoot to the surface or sink to the floor. Did anyone with diving experience read the copy or think about the implications of this design?

Here's the OP.

I haven't found the words "pulling a lever up and down to surface or dive deeper" on the website...

I have only seen the words ascend or descend.

I also dive a BP/W - but I certainly don't think this things is an entnglement hazzard. I don't think it's endorsing unsafe diving practices. It probably is a poor choice of words in the advertising of the product, but otherwise that's it.

I seriously doubt anyone would ever consider diving in a cave with this thing either, or ask, "can I mount my doubles to my i3"

Based on the OP... their inflamatory comments are also another pure over reaction by someone for whom the product is obviously not intended for.

It's a product that claims "diving is fun" :11: