2nd "primary" as an octo?
- Thread starter rpnick
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DaleC
Contributor
Some divers like to have a brightly coloured octo or low pressure hose but there are no hard and fast "rules" regarding this. The more important thing is to cover which regulator is which and how it is deployed during your predive briefing.
To quickly answer your question, there is no etiquette.
However unspoken tradition is to have standard octos as yellow with a yellow hose.
On the other hand, Bungee backups are usually both "primary" second stages by tradition. Color coding never really applied to this config.
This is more to the fact of the original concept of the configurations, rather than color coding etiquette.
- If you're using a bungee backup you'll want both second stages to be relatively high performance. You're primary is what you'll be using until an OOA incident in which case you'll want your back up to be just as good since you'll be switching to that.
- With standards octo configs this thought never really took hold since you rarely use it and in the case of an OOA situation, you're still not using it, unless you were trained to give your primary away.
If you decide to make the switch on your second stages then you'll have to cover this personal configuration with your dive buddy during the predive planning. And if another diver comes up to you OOA you should be prepared to take control and hand off an air source, rather than "exposing your hip" (which I would never recommend; passive rescues are just silly).
IMHO I think it's a lot easier to spot a colored reg rather than tracing a colored hose to the second stage. But don't let this single reason stop you, chances are you're primary will be taken away first if an OOA diver gets the jump on you. In which case you'll be glad to have a higher performance "octo".
However unspoken tradition is to have standard octos as yellow with a yellow hose.
On the other hand, Bungee backups are usually both "primary" second stages by tradition. Color coding never really applied to this config.
This is more to the fact of the original concept of the configurations, rather than color coding etiquette.
- If you're using a bungee backup you'll want both second stages to be relatively high performance. You're primary is what you'll be using until an OOA incident in which case you'll want your back up to be just as good since you'll be switching to that.
- With standards octo configs this thought never really took hold since you rarely use it and in the case of an OOA situation, you're still not using it, unless you were trained to give your primary away.
If you decide to make the switch on your second stages then you'll have to cover this personal configuration with your dive buddy during the predive planning. And if another diver comes up to you OOA you should be prepared to take control and hand off an air source, rather than "exposing your hip" (which I would never recommend; passive rescues are just silly).
IMHO I think it's a lot easier to spot a colored reg rather than tracing a colored hose to the second stage. But don't let this single reason stop you, chances are you're primary will be taken away first if an OOA diver gets the jump on you. In which case you'll be glad to have a higher performance "octo".
AfterDark
Contributor
I like a difference that can be felt. I can tell which reg I'm holding by the nut on the hose to the 2nd stage.
One is a hex the other is slotted. Night diving requires no sight use of gear at least for me.
One is a hex the other is slotted. Night diving requires no sight use of gear at least for me.
Divemasters and instructors always should have a brightly colored hose on their alternate air source. While others may, they need not. Many people have a low pressure inflater alternate air source these days, and there is no color coding or other demarcation. The important thing is to have an alternate air source that works, and that you and your buddy know where it is and how to access it.
DivemasterDennis scubasnobs.com
DivemasterDennis scubasnobs.com
You could always buy a yellow hose for the octo to help with the identification.
Regardless of what color it is... The OOA victim more often than not grabs for the one that is in your mouth.
AfterDark
Contributor
What color is it at 100fsw?
Thanks everyone, much obliged. I like the idea of having two "high-performance" regs and using the bungee method. I guess
if I need a new hose, I'll buy a yellow one, but for the moment, I'll just wrap some yellow tape around it!
if I need a new hose, I'll buy a yellow one, but for the moment, I'll just wrap some yellow tape around it!
In the tropics it's still yellow.
If you're using the bungee backup configuration you should look into getting a longer primary hose for OOA donations. Preferably 40in or longer. If it's less than 5ft long you'll need an Angle Adapter to avoid bowing of your hose.
I would recommend Angle Adapters and NOT Swivels for 40in primary hoses. Swivels have had a history of separating at the middle coupling (the omni swivel) where as Angle Adapters only rely on the standard hose connections and have not been known to separate in a similar catastrophic failure.
My friend uses a yellow 40in primary with an Air 2 btw. He hasn't really been given any grief for it.
