EireDiver606
Contributor
How did you not die?Congratulations on your Air2, I've been certified for over 30 years and never dove with anything else.
That tech instructor was recommending the longer 2.1m hose for a reason. I too was hesitant to switch but now that I use a 7’ long hose and bungeed necklace reg as backup I think it’s the best system out there. Do whatever works for you but I would give the longhose style a try just to see if you like it, it’s much easier to share air with and is the most streamlined setup.After having my primary pulled from my mouth for the second time on two different trips while using a traditional open water setup I got advice from a very experienced tech diver/trainer. One recommendation was the Dive Rite Advanced Openwater package. He suggested a long hose but I was a bit hesitant and went with a 40” hose. I would never go back to a traditional configuration, so streamlined.
My reg wasn’t pulled out of my mouth in OOG situations but both times while I was admiring something on the reef a newly certified diver dropped down on top of me getting their arm caught in the bowed primary hose and pulling their arm away once they crashed into me. I will never dive without a streamlined setup again. I was worried the third time may not end so well. Eyes in the back of my head stoped working since the kids moved out.
I understand exactly what you’re talking about, I need a snorkel also for big Atlantic swells. Easy solution mate : put snorkel in pocket, use longhoseThat is the configuration I decided on after trying most all I have encountered. The only issue I encountered with the long hose is due to my use of the snorkel. Since I am not going to stop wearing a snorkel, due to the dives I normally make, the long hose is less than optimal. To be fair, the drills can be done OK, but I had reservations that an emergency would go smothely. For the right dives I could ditch my snorkel for the advantages of the long hose. It's a matter of the right tool for the job.
A buddy uses a BP/W with an Air2 and normal length rec primary. We had no issues with diving and drills.
Dive and let dive.
Bob
I think people get the wrong impression of the longhose. They think it’s only for caves or “tech” dives (whatever that is), it can also have a great place in OW if you’re not spearfishing. Try it, you might love it.