I love my Axiom i3. It feels great. 1) you wouldn't know how to use it in an emergency? thats what predive buddy checks are for. If your not doing them, then I don't want to be your buddy. 2) The i3 is as complicated lifting a lever up to inflate and pushing it down to deflate. What I really like about the i3 is you can dump air from any position. Up down no matter where you are. I also love the preset tank strap which makes it really easy when doing multiple dives a day. I have prolapsed discs in my back and this BC helps a lot. It is also the same weight as some travel BCs. I say go for it.
No disrespect intended here, but every BC feels great. Not sure what the I3 lever has to do with back pain. And I can dump too from any position without the busy little complicated system of cables, hydraulics or whatever.
Often the diver who comes to the aid of a distressed diver is NOT his buddy. Seen it often and done it too. Particularly in low vis situations (night) where some divers get confused about which way is up. It should be nice to know that when a 18 year old dive guide comes to your aid, his muscle memory will kick in and he'll control your position in the water column.
I suspect that when you put your I3 up for sale, like so many others have, you'll shake your head and have a good chuckle.
---------- Post added April 1st, 2014 at 09:39 PM ----------
A gimmick?? dangerous?? Where do you come up with this stuff???
Gimmick, hell yes. Dangerous, see my reply to Phil. I suspect the huge majority of divers (and ocean rescue crew) don't know what an I3 is and would be hunting for a standard inflator in a rescue scenario.
---------- Post added April 1st, 2014 at 10:06 PM ----------
40 years I've been doing this and watched bcd's develop. Snorkel vests, AT Packs, horse collars, STABs, vests, jackets , back inflates, BPW's, weight integrated, air II; there has always been one constant....approaching a distressed diver grab his harness while facing him and one can easily engage the bc inflator with the right hand.
Having said that, I know a diver with one arm. He dives a dss wing with the inflator hose over his right shoulder.