Quote:
Originally Posted by in_cavediver
With all due respect, I personally believe the integrated device is sub-optimal. Its my opininion but its based on the following cost/benefit analysis
Advantages:
1) One less hose
2) Arguably more streamlined (I don't buy it in a well routed rig but I guess compared to some hose routings, its true)
3) BC Inflator serviced regularly
Disadvantages:
1) More complex (it is. I have seen the zeagle and Dive rite units and I challenge anyone not familar with it to determine which is the purge, which is the inflate and which is the deflate buttons)
2) More difficult to ascend with it. (not impossible)
3) Single failure takes out 2 pieces of equipment
4) Deviates from the 'normal' equipment divers are trained with. (this is also true of some 2nd stages such as the posiedon side breathers)
The funny thing is the tech divers are the ones most likely to not have a problem dealing with these devices in an emergency. In general terms, the more advanced dives you do, the more in tune you are with equipment and what's used on your dives. The more in tune and practiced you are, the less likely these minor differences matter.
Still, even sub-optimum (again, my opinion), they are a valid choice and divers who know and understand them can dive them safely. Heck, if my primary configuration was a single with a pony, I'd likely use one on my backgas and keep a standard 2nd on the pony (3 2nd stages). This problem of non-standardization is not limited to just this, its the same way with OC divers diving with RB divers.
Dive safe
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Again, I disagree. I am talking about the Air II unit. The purge button is that big one in the center part to the reg - just like on an octo. The inflator is the round button, in the right place for your hand to fall naturally. The square button is also a purge, but typically is not used. Deflate? That's called your BC Dump - which is done in several ways - like the big tab on the opposite shoulder of my BC, or even better by tugging on the unit itself! (This causes the large hose to dump!)
Difficult to ascend - no more or less then a standard inflator, since that is all it is after all. That's experience talking from over 100 dives with it, rather than conjecture.
As for training? Many shops train WITH them instead of a standard octo, so that arguement is null and void as well.
And who is to define NORMAL equipment? Sorry, where I dive, the Air II is considered "normal" equipment.
Single point of failure - yes, but is this better than 2 points of failure that are not paid attention to? The point I am making is that reg service does inflator service. This is better then never servicing inflators (I have had my tech complain about failed inflators he gets in - because nobody did anything to them for 7 or more YEARS.
As for service life - I have never seen one fail in service (doesn't mean they don't) but I have seen other reg failures.
Worst thing I ever had happen to an Air II was when I fell on it on the sand. I ended up having to have it serviced because I got sand into it (Now before you start, the same fall put sand into my primary as well and it wasn't driven into the sand by my knee! My tech removed a handful of sand from all three regs after that incident!) I was afraid that I cracked it when I landed on it, but no such problem.
Another BIG plus. (This is from a rescue that I performed). The Air II is on the opposite side of the body from a standard octo. My buddy had that configuration, with both primary and octo falling to his hip. He got his right hand tangled in line, then knocked the reg out of his mouth. He could not sweep for either of his regs and had to take mine! An Air II would have been reachable with the left hand, which could not reach the other regs. Note that after this incident, he switched his octo out for an Air II.
Oh, and an Air II packs smaller on long trips.