Hose retainers. Where and why?

[Nick Steele]

Okay so I’m finally starting to accessorise my kit and I have purchased a few hose retainers from DGX and I have a few questions on how you guys use them.

1) I put one on my primary reg so I can clip it off during SI or walks down the beach but not sure if I should keep in on the actual hose or the metal part (here’s a pic where it is currently) should I keep where it’s at or move closer to the reg? Any benefits of either?

2) should I put one on my octo? I usually have this bungees on my hip d-ring (will chance to necklace later)

3) also I bought a compass is it important to store them when not in use in a certain way? Like face side up or almost leveled as to not mess up the compass?

Also have one on my SPG but that ones straight forward.

Any other comments on how and why you guys do it one way or another would be helpful

Dive on,
Nick

 

[tbone1004]

1. should be a hands width away so if it is clipped off you can still breathe from it. The ones you are using are less critical for that vs. line since they will slide, but it is typically about where you have it.

2. when you put a suicide strap on the octo, you use the primary clip to hold the suicide strap then clip both to the shoulder d-ring for transport.

3. what kind of compass and where are you putting it? the dive compasses won't get messed up being upside down

 

[Seaweed Doc]

Just my 2 cents:

I wouldn't use a bolt snap on a regulator you think you'll hand off. When you want it in an emergency, you want it immediately. I'd go for something you can rip out of by shear force and not requiring any coordination. (Though I dive cold water, where you lose dexterity wearing thick gloves; might be easier if you dive bare-handed?) It's not that you CAN'T undo the bolt snap, it's just more difficult. @tbone1004 mentions that these slide, which might help you avoid having to undo the snap. Regardless, practice will be important with any new setup. Practice releasing whichever one you'll donate while diving in open water, and do it repeatedly.

Were you trained to pass your primary off to an out-of-air buddy, or your octo? (I'm guessing @tbone1004 would recommend the primary, but PADI teaches octopus....)

 

[Steve_C]

I have 2 attachment objects for basic gear. A bolt snap on the SPG so it does not dangle. That attaches in the chest area so it is easy to read without unsnapping. A stretchy bright yellow on the right side where the spare reg goes. Releases with a quick tug. Compass comes with own snap and stretchable line and is on the left side high up. That's it. I have never wanted a snap of any kind on my reg.

 

[tbone1004]

@Seaweed Doc correct, however the long hose can be clipped off when doing stage/deco bottles since you donate out of the mouth with those and you'd always go to your secondary around your neck until you unclipped the long hose. Clipping off at surface is obviously a nonissue as well.

 

[Nick Steele]

3. what kind of compass and where are you putting it? the dive compasses won't get messed up being upside down

It’s a DGX delux compass. And for storage I guess it will stay next to the dive computer on a shelf in the closest.

 

[Nick Steele]

Placement of compass during dives will either be on my hand when not hunting lobster (most of the time) or on lower left forearm when hunting.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

Since it says DIR Practitioner under your name I suggest reading this carefully.

 

[Kharon]

Since it says DIR Practitioner under your name I suggest reading this carefully.

OMG - they sure have a ton of dogma. I'll do it my way, thanks just the same. I wonder who made up all that "stuff".

 

[rddvet]

1. should be a hands width away so if it is clipped off you can still breathe from it.

That's an interesting idea I've never thought of after all these years. It makes sense, but seems like it would cause more dangle affect in sidemount (maybe not). I'm going to change mine up and see.

To OP: I prefer using very small zipties for any reg that could be donated. That way when needed I can rip it off a dring. Only negative is sometimes you bump it wrong and lose your ziptie and potentially the snapbolt, though it rarely happens.