Gear check for the wife? Does this sound reasonable?

[flybigjet]

Greetings, all--

I'm building up a kit for my wife, and just wanted to see if I was missing anything obvious in my choices or making any large mistakes.

All of the equipment is new-old stock. I've been looking for a long while and have tried to find a reasonable point between quality and value-- I realize that nothing's "state of the art", but I think it's all pretty solid stuff. We're going to Roatan this summer and Palau and Truk this winter so I want her to have her own kit-- we tend to do one or two dive trips a year, so travelable, robust and dependable is of more value to me than cutting edge or flashy.

So, here's what I've come up with:

BCD: Tusa Selene Wing. She's pretty adamant that she wants a BC instead of a BP/W, and she really doesn't like jacket bcd's. This one's cut women-specific.

Computer: Oceanic Pro Plus 2 w/ compass. I've had one for years and love it. I wanted to get an identical one for her so a) I can teach her to use it, b) we're both familiar with it and c) the algorithms match on our dive profiles and d) I already have the training/simulation software for it that she can learn on.

1st & 2nd Stage: Hollis DC3-212. Solid and bombproof from what I know about it. The price is a steal.

Octo: XS Scuba Inline Airwave: This one fits inline with the lp hose for the bc and connects above the autoinflator. I've had a Sherwood Shadow on my rig for years, and she really likes how it works. Since we're dive buddies, I have no trouble with her not having a "traditional" octo as this is the setup I'm used to.

She's got a mask, fins and wetsuit already that are in great shape, so I think that the above should be a good combination for her. I think? I hope? Total damage for everything was just under $800 for all-new equipment. which was just about exactly what I'd budgeted.

Thoughts? Suggestions? Validation of a sanity check? Sound like a reasonable solution for a gear setup?

Thanks, all!

R.

 

[Michael Guerrero]

I'm not familiar with any of that gear, but my suggestion would be that you get an "octo" that breathes just as good as your primary (my backup 2nd stage is the exact same as my primary 2nd stage). If a panicked diver pulls your reg out of your mouth and you have to go to your octo, you want it to breath well.

I am also not a huge fan of an octo on the inflator. Trying to breath from it and vent gas from it while holding onto someone during a stressful ascent is a lot of task loading. And I think a stressed diver is more likely to grab for the inflator to vent gas from the bladder.

So I'd get a backup 2nd stage the same as your first, make sure the BC is back inflate, and put the octo on a necklace right under your chin so it's right there should you need it.

 

[uncfnp]

My question is where is her input in all of the decision you are making about her gear?

 

[Peter69_56]

My wife and I have had a proplus 2 for years. Great computer and good for the visually limited. Simple to use

I also would not use the integrated Octo. Too much task loading.

Enjoy Truk, we have been there 3 times and going again next year.

 

[uncfnp]

Took a quick look at the Selene. Looks like a fairly standard BCD. If she likes it and it fits her, it should do well.

Matching computers isn't a bad idea and if she is happy with yours it should be a good choice for her too.

If you have the inline alternate and she likes that idea too I think its fine to go the same route with her. Not familar with the one you listed. Most of the newer ones breathe fairly well though.

 

[flybigjet]

My question is where is her input in all of the decision you are making about her gear?

She's been *very* involved-- And has been quite directive in what she wants, actually. The only one that I really was solid on was the computer, as I wanted commonality. She likes how I have my kit set up and how it works for me-- that's obviously influenced her decision-making process.

R.

 

[Peter69_56]

Its always good to try and kit up similar so when things go wrong you both know what you have and where it is. Simplicity is the trick rather than fancy gimmicky gear.

 

[flybigjet]

Interesting, the dislike of the inline Octo-- I've used one like that for at least ten years and really, really like it. I do a practice swap with it every single dive I do and to me it's very natural. It breathes well and is low enough on the inflator tube (I have an unusually long one at 19") that it fits quite easily in my mouth with no having to lean my head over.

I'll have to go back and talk to my wife about it-- she's partial to that setup because I like it so much. And considering that I'm the person she'll be diving with, I don't really think it would be an issue.

Food for thought, though.

R.

 

[uncfnp]

Interesting, the dislike of the inline Octo-- I've used one like that for at least ten years and really, really like it. I do a practice swap with it every single dive I do and to me it's very natural. It breathes well and is low enough on the inflator tube (I have an unusually long one at 19") that it fits quite easily in my mouth with no having to lean my head over.

I'll have to go back and talk to my wife about it-- she's partial to that setup because I like it so much. And considering that I'm the person she'll be diving with, I don't really think it would be an issue.

Food for thought, though.

R.

Its a SB thing. I wouldn't worry too much about it. My dive partner and I dove with one for years. I finally switched over to the more traditional alternate on bungee necklace when I started exploring tech. My buddy switched over after he saw my kit. We both tend to dive solo so we really like the comfort of knowing the alternate is right exactly where we need it when we need it and it is a smooth transition between.

If you do stick with inline alternates, consider putting a longer hose on your primary and running it under your right arm with an elbow or swivel to the first stage to give the correct angle to your mouth. This will give you a longer hose on the donated stage and make air share a bit more comfortable for you both.

 

[TMHeimer]

My question is where is her input in all of the decision you are making about her gear?

After reading your phrase "The Wife" my wife would have killed you.