Seaquest I3 inflation system

[Souvy]

Just saw the I3 inflation system on a Seaquest BC and was curious if anyone had used it. It looks pretty neat and getting rid of the hose seems like a great idea. My one concern was if the need for manual inflation should arise and it's apparently got a back up hose tucked into the left shoulder should the need arise. Does anyone that's used one have any feed back? I'm particularly interested about deflation, they say it will deflate at any angle so I was curious about that. Thanks so much, cheers.

[thesmoothdome]

I made one dive with a buddy who had just bought one. She said she was amazed by the speed at which it deflated and there were two speeds for inflation. Being a larger gal and wanting an integrated BC, she bought it because she could fit 40 lbs in the BC, but she really liked the I3 feature.

[CentralTxDiver]

I don't know about it myself. Like you point out...it seems to me to be a fix for something that just doesn't need fixing...and actually eliminates the ability to manually inflate one's BC...not a good idea in my book. Even when I dive my old vintage gear I have an old horsecollar BC that can be manually inflated if need be...just feel its too important an option not to have should you need it. Outside of that...I guess its just another new gadget...I'm trying to be receptive to the idea if it works for someone. Just don't see it happening for me.

[NitroWill]

I wouldn't touch one..
Two main problems I have with it..

What do you do if it fails? There is no way to manually inflate or adjust aircell without the I3 system..

It says it makes bouyancy control easier and fun..Bouyancy control is not about continuously adding and removing air to the cell..There should be very little to no air in the cell at all times, if you are continuously having to add/remove air (like this system implies) then you need to work on your bouyancy..

If it ain't broke - dont fix it! Theres nothing wrong with the standard inflator system today and I see NO improvements with this one..

[Splitlip]

One of the big issues I had was in the marketing pieces I read. It was likened to an elevator. Which is all wrong.
Will makes the best point. One should not be adding and dumping air so often that tedium needs to be relieved by making the task "fun"...

[plot]

It has a manual inflation hose but um... it's seriously lacking in that area. It's some flimsley hose thing that comes out of the shoulder harness.... definatly wouldn't depend on it.

Another thing I don't like is the actual lever... you get that thing caught on something under water and rip it off, or it fully inflates you and sends you in an uncontrolled ascent before you can get it under control or something... you could be in some serious trouble.

The thing I like about the I3 system is it deflates from 3 different dump valves (hence the 3 in I3), so you can deflate in pretty much any position you're in. On a normal BC if you're upside your normal inflator won't deflate your BC any, you gotta pull on your bottom dump valve.

Those are the pros and cons I can think of without actually have ever dove the thing... I've just looked at it at my LDS alot and wondered what they were thinking.

[meesier42]

Originally Posted by NitroWill

I wouldn't touch one..
It says it makes bouyancy control easier and fun..Bouyancy control is not about continuously adding and removing air to the cell..There should be very little to no air in the cell at all times, if you are continuously having to add/remove air (like this system implies) then you need to work on your bouyancy..

I agree completely, with the exception of major depth changes and my tank becoming more bouyant throughout the dive once I establish neutral the only time I touch my inflator is to dump air every 5-10 minutes or so to keep neutral. If you need something like this there is another problem. The ONLY benefit that I see to this is streamlining, but then again I have never been able to swim so fast that the inflator caused me any problems.

[saltfly]

I don't know how much value I can add to this, because I am a brand new diver and don't have much to compare it to. But I bought the I3 because the design just made sense to me. My open water certification dive in Key Largo last week went fine. It fills and empties quickly and easily, and ergonomically it is very easy to use. The professionals with me were curious about it, and they seemed happy with its performance as well. The only downside I have come up with is that you would need to add another LP hose to add a signaling device? Maybe not?

I'm back down to Key Largo on the 30th and am looking forward to using it again.

[BSea]

Is it just me, or do many gear companies seem to be trying to come up with the next "Best thing since sliced bread" gizmo?

Apeks has their STATUS regs that tell you when your reg needs service. Give me a break.

The Oceanic computer mask. Sorry, I just don't get this either. Sounds cool, but I don't see this becoming mainsteam for diving.

Then this I3 thing. I have to agree with Will. If you are inflating & deflating during the dive, then you probably have a bouyancy problem.

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for new technology. I think LED lights will eventually replace just about everything being used today. Both above & below water. Why? Because it's a more robust design that gets more powerful each year.

[terrillja]

I think the biggest problem with these new airtrim/I3 type designs is that each company does it differently. Every company's manual inflation hose is in a different spot, and with the Dacor airTrim, you literally have to be on top of the person to inflate it, at which time the person is underwater. If you have to try and rescue someone who is for instance panicking and not inflating their bc, you can normally grab their hose and inflate them from behind while locking their tank in your legs. With the airtrim, you have to be within strike range of them to inflate it. The advantage is that the hose allows you to be behind a panicked diver, where they can't hit you with much force. More risk to the rescuer while helping a panicked diver if you are in front of them.

My dad looked at a Dacor BC with the airTrim system, but I gave him the reasons above why I thought it was a bad idea, and he decided to get an Oceanic Probe LX instead.