MaverickNH
Contributor
Not a bad idea, sez the newbie. Any downsides?
Practice Dumping your in-line AltAir+Inflator - a Note to Divers
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Not a bad idea, sez the newbie. Any downsides?
An option that the OP missed is keeping the air2 IN the mouth, lips sealed, and venting the BC by pressing the oral inflate (big) button half way in. Any pressing of that button will allow air to escape the bladder, but it must be fully depressed in order to orally inflate, so pressing the button half way while exhaling vents both the bladder and the lungs. Still don't want to inhale while the button is pressed tho.
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Please explain if there is a problem with this set up. Maybe 3 regs to freeflow? Confusion as to which to use perhaps? I like the large buttons on the air 2.
regtechkidd
Guest
I used a backplate and wing along with an Air II for about two hundred dives without issue. One big helper was the Scubapro wing that I used had a little lever on the fitting that connected the corrugated hose to the top of the wing. This lever was connected to the cable inside for pull dumping of the Air II. However, I could simply reach back with my left hand and use the lever like a dump button, since I had no right hand shoulder dump, worked like a charm even when teaching alternate air source ascent.
I have had an air 2 for several years using a Hollis SMS100 BC. Even used it for my rescue certification with no issues. I did replace the BCD inflate hose with one that was longer to make it easier to use in an emergency.
scubasam1212
Contributor
the best way is to just use your bcd dumps. I see this as being the easiest way and dont have any problems finding them being in the same spot everytime. I use my dumps on everydive dont remember the last time i put my inflator above my head. I had no problems dumping air form both bcds and buddy breathing while i used my air 2 and passed my S600 when my buddy had a hose blow at 80' Just turned off their air and we did a safety stop on the way up. You definitly need to practice it but thats what continuing education is for.
moparmandjh
Contributor
What if your bc does not have them, mine has the inflator and a single dump on the bottom right. Still something good to practice.
OP
One has to evaluate their equipment and make selections based on the capabilities of the gear, their skill set, and the diving environment. The integrated AAS/Inflator worked very well with SP's BC (and there are others) because SP had an independent dump valve with the pull cord in the "triangle". Similarly, my old Dacor Vista BC and my DUI Delta utilize a pull to dump so you aren't required to perform some of the additional maneuvers, including removing the regulator from your mouth to place it above you to dump.
Despite all that, as is the title of this thread, Practice, Practice, Practice. No matter what gear you use....
Despite all that, as is the title of this thread, Practice, Practice, Practice. No matter what gear you use....
halocline
Contributor
This whole thread is a perfect example of why I think alternate/inflators are a bad idea. The LAST thing any brand-new diver needs is complication with ascending while air sharing.
And there's almost zero value to them vis-a-vie 'streamlining.' In the dive shop, sure, it sounds good to have one fewer of those pesky hoses, but in the water the reality is you're left with a longer-than-necessary corrugated hose, which is MUCH bulkier than a LP hose, and a bulkier-than-necessary inflator mechanism, which you have to use every time you want to inflate or dump air from the BC. How is that 'streamlined?'
They also require a non-standard LP inflator hose, usually do not breathe very well, and are generally more of a pain to service than simply another 2nd stage. Overall a perfect example of a dive industry product that is designed for sales, not actual use. IMO the only reason they don't have a far worse reputation is because actual emergencies are pretty rare, and so a relatively few number of divers actually get to see how badly they perform in relation to the bungied octo/long hose primary set up.
While I appreciate the fact that you're interested in training students to use them more effectively, IMO the best way to address students' needs in this case is to help them configure their gear in a much more practical manner.
And there's almost zero value to them vis-a-vie 'streamlining.' In the dive shop, sure, it sounds good to have one fewer of those pesky hoses, but in the water the reality is you're left with a longer-than-necessary corrugated hose, which is MUCH bulkier than a LP hose, and a bulkier-than-necessary inflator mechanism, which you have to use every time you want to inflate or dump air from the BC. How is that 'streamlined?'
They also require a non-standard LP inflator hose, usually do not breathe very well, and are generally more of a pain to service than simply another 2nd stage. Overall a perfect example of a dive industry product that is designed for sales, not actual use. IMO the only reason they don't have a far worse reputation is because actual emergencies are pretty rare, and so a relatively few number of divers actually get to see how badly they perform in relation to the bungied octo/long hose primary set up.
While I appreciate the fact that you're interested in training students to use them more effectively, IMO the best way to address students' needs in this case is to help them configure their gear in a much more practical manner.
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