5' or 7' long hose for open water?

[Mantra]

Hi all.

I'm looking for opinions on hose setup stuff. Any input appreciated!

My buddy and I are looking at swapping to a long hose setup for our open water diving. We dive in jacket BCs and, although we might eventually swap to bp/w this isn't in our immediate future. The benefits of long hose just make sense so we're looking at flipping to that configuration rather than going full DIR.

We have a local TDI instructor who is willing to coach us in using the new configuration properly. He recommends going for a 5 foot hose rather than a 7, given we are wanting to use jacket BCs without a canister.

Sounds good to me. I know some agencies only recommend a 7' hose for all environments, including OW, and was wondering if anyone had thoughts on this before I pull the trigger and buy new hoses? Are there any downsides of a 5' versus a 7' that I should consider? Which option would you take?

Also, from what I understand, miflex can be a bit floaty in a long hose (notably a 7'). Anyone have an opinion on that?

Thanks.

[Jim Lapenta]

For open water only there really is no downside to the 5 ft. As long as you don't plan to be anywhere that would require you to share air while swimming out single file. I don't recommend braided hoses for anything over 40 inches. Too. Floaty, tend to take a set when coiled for any length of.time, and after a while under water they feel like sand paper on my neck as well as tend to.grab the hairs on the back of my neck.

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[Mantra]

Thanks so much, Jim. That's perfect.

[TSandM]

The one problem with the 5' hose is that, for people who are broad across the shoulders and chest, it may be uncomfortably short.

[Mantra]

The one problem with the 5' hose is that, for people who are broad across the shoulders and chest, it may be uncomfortably short.

That's a fair point and describes me. I'd also be interested in knowing if people thought the 5' routing required a swivel for correct reg positioning. I think I remember hearing that somewhere.

At the moment, I'm tempted to give the 5' a try and see how it practically suits. It's not the end of the world if I then end up buying a 7' in shame. But I'm not in any hurry, so am considering all the input here. Thanks, o Borgy Cupcakey one.

[peacock62]

I personally believe that certifying agencies should take a look at the ooa air share procedure. The 7' hose should become standard for all OW and overhead environments.
When a ooa diver needs air it should be a regulator you know is working! It makes the air share easier for divers to swim and adjust their buoyancy. IMHO

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[herman]

The 5ft is fine, I use one for everything from a jacket BC and swim suit to a back inflate and a dry suit. Unless you are very large or are doing single file swimming (like a narrow cave) there is rarely a need for a 7 ft hose....and you have 2 ft less hose to find a place to store.

[chrpai]

I went through this a week ago and here's what I've found:

1) One website (GUE I think) actually said a long hose wasn't needed in an O/W rec environment. Another site suggested 5' and another 7'.
2) I bought the 7' cause that's what came with the Hog single tank package.

Like those in this thread, I spoke to a local aquaintance (instructor, cave diver, cave instructor? not sure ) and he suggested 5' would be better for me and that he might have a hose to trade me to help out.

That said, I've had 4 dives with this rig now and I can't say that 7' seems to be any kind of problem. I don't own a canister so I put my shears over on might right hip. I wrap the hose under/behind that and across my chest and around my neck. Seems just right to be. I'm going to keep diving this until someone lets me try a 5'. If that seems better, I'll post back.

Oh and I'm 6'0" with a 44" waist for what that's worth. I'm not exactly DIR from a BMI perspective. (And many other perspectives...)

[chile7236]

i used a 5' hose for a while with no issues...then i just decided to use 24" hoses for my own convenience...if there's OOA situation, we're gonna be reeeeeeaaaaally close.

[danvolker]

Assuming you don't feel like spending a lot of money on a can light right now, the issue then is that with a 7 foot hose, it needs to be routed under something. That something is typically a can light....However, the 7 foot hose can ALSO be routed under a knife on the wastebad( put where a can light would go) or a big pocket on the wasteband..... This way, you have the increased flexibility of use available with the 7 foot hose, and none of the cost for the can light....Someday you may see some divers using can lights as buddy communication tools, and as seeing aids, and want to try this.....when you get to experience the buddy effectiveness of the can lights, you may well decide they are too cool to pass on....With the 7 foot hose, you are good either way.