Have you ever taken a 'technical' dive class/training? You will never see 'advanced' dive instructors using an integrated BC hose/octo...and if you sign up for such classes, you won't be allowed into the water with that configuration.
You are free to use that configuration in 'recreational' diving...however, I'm at a loss as to the attractiveness of that option, since you are now aware 'real' divers won't dive that way, and there's no reason you shouldn't dive like the 'pros'...and give the 'pros' some credit for knowing what they are taking about in such matters.
Technical diving teaches that it's principles apply across the whole range of diving....including the beginner diver...sound safety procedures that apply to all.
Before you decide to buy the BC hose/octo configuration have you thought about:
--how you might embolize on the way up if you hold your breath on the way up since you'll be taking the octo out of your mouth to vent your BC to avoid a runaway ascent?
--even if you remember to exhale properly, you'll be in a panic too, your air comsumption will be higher than ever, do your really want to have to keep taking the reg out of your mouth to vent your BC?
--how you'll be screwed if you buddy grabs your octo to breathe (in a panic a diver may go to your
octo, as he's pretty focused on grabbing any regulator he plainly sees bubbling, if that's what's in your mouth he'll key on that ...oops, there goes your control over your bouyancy......another runaway ascent......embolism.....and death!)
--if you're in a low vis/night/darkness scenario.....and the buddy runs out of air......he's not gonna waste time trying to guess where the heck you've stowed your octo......he's gonna find your body, then he's gonna find your head, then your face, then your mouth, then rip the reg out of your mouth.
If you're breathing your primary 2nd stage, he's gonna take that and you're gonna get stuck with the octo.....the one that's so short you can't turn your head, the one that breathes poorly, the one you have to keep taking out of your mouth to vent the BC.
If somehow you get him to use the octo, congradulations, you've got a panicky diver a foot away from you, who's in charge of your bouyancy.....no room to maneuver or swim...and God-forbid you're in a tight/constricted place where 2 divers can't fit though simultaneously....you can't swim one behind the other in line with your buddy using your octo...and you probably won't be able to do it even with your longer primary 2nd stage.
The integrated BC/octo is a great idea as long as you never actually have to use it.....in a non-emergency situation, where the octo is just along for the ride, no harm is done......but in this case the cure is worse than the disease......an extra hose the just the price that has to be paid to really have a functional system.
Karl
