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Ron,
I have a sneaky suspicion that nothing is quite so simple in a real OOA emergency (as opposed to a premeditated drill) and my goal in diving is never to find out. I have to base my experience with panicked individuals on situations that I have encountered via near drownings and climbing/mountaineering. My sense, like you, is that I would love to donate my primary (on a long hose) but I don't think I can predict which reg a truly panicked diver will go for. My concern is what happens when a truly panicked diver gets a hold of the air2. If you can assure me that going for the air2 would never happen in an OOA then Ok, I guess my worries are unfounded. If not, then my thinking is that I must be prepared to donate both regs (that is why my necklace is a breakaway) or more precisely, have them taken from me; even though I don't want to. Assuming that, when I looked at the air2 system I imagined the previously mentioned scenarios occurring.
I deal with a very good shop (IMO) and we discussed these, as well as other concerns. My dealer is knowledgeable and he actually tries to keep me from making unnecissary/improper/impulse purchases (oddly enough), not that air2 is any of those for everyone. I was raising them here as the OP is considering such a set up and I wanted to provide some of the concerns I had. Some others were:
1. Future growth in diving: Will I want to expand my diving focus in the future in ways that the air2 system may not be applicable? tec, cave, wreck, etc... Will I wind up having to buy a different octo anyways?
2. If I go with a different BC set up in the future will I be limited to only systems that are air2 compatible (or will I have to buy a different octo anyways)?
3. If I travel and bring my personal reg's, will I have to bring my BC with me or be forced to rent an octo?
Personally, I have no preconcieved biases either way, just those concerns. In the end , if it works well for him or others, great.
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