octo inflater for a dive master or instructor?

[kauai diver]

My wife and I are new to diving and are in the process of choosing our scuba equipment, we think an octo inflater is a very keen idea, but need more feedback. I have read all the threads I could find, and am more confused now. I have swung both ways and am now back to center.
? As a dive master or instructor does one require or prefer a seperate octo ?
We are interested in going for our advanced scuba certs, and maybe someday be a dive master or instructor ? Is a seperate octo needed for this, ? would it make the skill tests more difficult ?
Being new to diving it may be easier for us to pick up the octo inflater skill, than if we dove for years with the standard octo ? Do you find it even a slightly difficult transition to make for the seasoned diver ?
Also when diving, even though my wife and I stay close and attentive to each other, there are moments you see something cool and want to show your dive buddy, but their attention is on something else. If you are suddenly out of air and need their spare, having to get their attention and cummunicate to them to hand off their primary or try to grab their short hose octo inflater (which you may not even understand the function well)sounds a bit challenging, especially if you end up with an unfamiliar dive buddy at depth. It seems that a standard octo would be much more accessible. ? Is this the case ?
Thank you for your thoughts on this! Happy Holidays !

[Goober]

I started using an Air 2 right out of open water and I love it. Not as awkward to use as some feel they are. One would be lead to believe that for the purpose of instructing and Octo would be required. Although, you could simple install the octo when teaching a class. Or as others have stated you can never have too many air sources. On the other hand one more reg attached to the first stage leaves one more possibilty for a free flowing reg failure.

I use my Air 2 on a reglar basis when I dive just to stay comfortable with it. If someone is out of air, communication will be evident, large eyes and the swiftness at which they come at you is generally a good indication. They will more than likely go for your primary anyway.

Also if an out of air situation exist and it is your buddy or you and niether of you has had an equipment failure, then you have already ignored everything they tried to teach you in OW. If you are that concerned with the awkwardness of an octo/ inflator then you have probably answered your own question.

I would not suggest ever going for the octo inflator of another diver if YOU need air. Simply pluck the reg from thier mouth. If a diver is using an oct/inflator this is what he will prefer and expect. This will also eliminate the possibility of you blowing the air in their BCD or fully inflating it unintentionaly.

Hope this helps

[Defman]

The problem I ran into while doing DM training with the octo inflator is that your primary hose is short and the student/person is going to have to be VERY close to you to use it. So I added a regular octo on a longer than normal hose.

Now, out in the real world I don't worry as much about it since (hopefully) the chances of having to use the octo inflator is really low. Then again, do you want a potentially slightly panicked diver in your face? It's a tough call, in rescue class you'll learn that you don't want a panicked diver anywhere near you.

[JugglingMonkeys]

I own both - mainly because i travel and sometimes have to use a rented BC with my own regs. It's not much more expensive. And it's a simple change back and forth on your gear setup.

If I was an instructor I would definitely dive those dives with a separate octo setup!

[davepoff]

I prefer the seperate octo. In a Padi OW class you are taught to look in the triangle from the chin to ribs for the octo to grab. Plus I would prefer to breath from my primary when sharing air

[c.edmiston]

I have considered going to the octo inflator mainly because I like the positioning of the buttons. I used one once on a rental and liked it.

[kauai diver]

Thank you for all your responses, they are very helpful.

[in_cavediver]

At this point, get what you like. By the time you go pro, you'll likely want to upgrade your reg or something else anyway.

I personally don't like the integrated ones but its personal preference. If you do get one, please do a few air share ascents with it so you are comfortable with your BC hose in your mouth rather than above your head.

[cheebaweebie]

I prefer the seperate octo as well. I could swear there was another long thread on this about a week ago that was going around.

[Hollywood703]

I usually add a standard Octo for class, Some students might not like the idea of the octo/inflator, so i just add it in, and remove it if not in class.....I just leave the octo/inflator attached....3 regs are better than 2 i guess