31 replies to this topic

[ScubaDadMiami]

During my original dive training, I was taught to use the short hose for my primary regulator, donating the long hose in an out of gas situation. Later, I received training in breathing from the long hose, donating it, and switching to the short hose in a gas sharing situation. Which do you use and why? Did you receive training using both methods?

[cmt489]

Well, let's see... I have this hose that my LDS hooked up to my reg... I believe that it is shorter than my spare air hose but not significantly so (ie nothing like Kamala's!)

[WreckWench]

Well, let's see... I have this hose that my LDS hooked up to my reg... I believe that it is shorter than my spare air hose but not significantly so (ie nothing like Kamala's!)

Tsk Tsk....you weren't supposed to tell...girls NEVER tell about their long hose preferences!!!

[PerroneFord]

I was trained to use the short hose. Changed to long hose when I was exposed to it. Made excellent sense to me. Never looked back.

[scubafanatic]

....well, my 'recreational' BOW / AOW classes taught the donate the long hose 'octo' while retaining the shorter hose primary second stage.......my 'tech' classes (ie. Advanced Nitrox / Deco Prodecures / Cavern / Intro Cave) taught the 'opposite' , donate the long-hose 'primary' and switch to a bungied short hose 'octo'.

..... in principle I agree with the 'tech' approach, since an OOA diver will like go for it anyway, might as well get comfortable and used to that approach.........however, I find myself torn between the 'tech' approach versus the 'recreational' approach due to a special circumstance, namely, my preference for using SEACURE mouthpieces.

...for the bulk of my diving I've elected to take the 'recreational' approach, retain my short hose SEACURE mouthpiece and donate a long-hose conventional mouth piece equipped 'octo'........as I'd rather not be miserable all the time for the sake of following a 'strict' DIR approach...........however, on 'tech' dives I make sure my dive buddies are OK with my SEACURES to avoid any nasty surprises with my donating a SEACURE equipped long-hose.

Karl

[PerroneFord]

???

Karl, am I missing someting here? I thought seacure mouthpieces were easily available. Can't you just get more than one and use it on both your primary and secondar?

[Diverbrian]

I moved the SeaCure to my O2 bottle. That way is unmistakable when I have the O2 reg in my mouth.

The mouth pieces that came with my Aqualung regs were pretty comfy and when I started doing DiveCon and Tech courses, I had to worry more about donating my primary anyways. The shop dives the integrated inflators (which make it necessary to donate the primary) and the more advanced training pushes it as well.

I dive long hose and bungied back-up. If I dove recreational gear (like I would have to work for pay out of the shop), it would be the 22 inch primary and Airsource. I don't have a problem with either rig. I just prefer the 7 ft. primary hose with a bungied back-up for my personal diving. I also prefer doubles for my personal diving as they give me more redundancy so that forces the issue.

[Diverbrian]

???

Karl, am I missing someting here? I thought seacure mouthpieces were easily available. Can't you just get more than one and use it on both your primary and secondar?

Perrone,

The problem is that the SeaCure molds to the user's mouth. Depending the shape and size of one's mouth, the offered mouthpiece may gag the diver to whom that it is offered.

That is why none of our dive pros use the SeaCure on our "shop gear" at our shop.

[PerroneFord]

Ok gotcha. I've never used one of these mouthpieces so it was somewhat foreign to me. Thanks for the explanation

[blacktar]

It depends on the type of diving I am doing. If I am rec diving, than I take my rec gear which includes a short hose. If I am doing a tech dive, than I use a long hose as my primary, which I will hand off.
Patrick

[VADiver]

I dive a 7 foot hose for my primary and a bungied secondary on my double and single tanks. I feel it's the best method for both technical and recreational diving.

Donating your primary (on the 7 foot hose) reg in an OOG situation prevents further complications and makes the original emergency that much easier to handle.

[PerroneFord]

It depends on the type of diving I am doing. If I am rec diving, than I take my rec gear which includes a short hose. If I am doing a tech dive, than I use a long hose as my primary, which I will hand off.
Patrick

Wow,

Do you find it confusing going back and forth? I think I could only handle one setup so that my muscle memory would be ready to go in an emergency. You must be one cool customer to be able to switch back and forth!

[scubafanatic]

Ok gotcha.  I've never used one of these mouthpieces so it was somewhat foreign to me.  Thanks for the explanation

Hi PerroneFord,

......if you've ever seen a SEACURE, it's much bigger (long bite tabs) than a conventional mouthpiece, which is great as it allows one's back molar's to hold onto it easily with minimal bite force.......and it can be molded/trimmed to a custom fit, which may be unsuitable for another diver.......the extended bite tabs can cause a gag-reflex, a very undesirable surprise for a OOA diver. As noted, the tabs can be trimmed down to fit, but I like mine 'full-size', thus my dilemma. So, I've elected to compromse, dive the primary with my SEACURE, my 'octo' with a 'conventional' sized mouthpiece for the benefit of any OOA diver.

Karl

[WreckWench]

I have finally been convinced to sacrafice some performance on my octo and put the LONG hose on it. It seems when people are low on air they come to find me. Fortunately I have lots to spare...and now its a lot easier doing that.

Although I must say...diving THAT close to all these great looking SD guys...has its benefits!!

Yes its true...usually only guys want my extra air!