newbie question...

[thecheeseman]

sorry guys...but what exactly is an octo?

hehehe noobs rule!

[fisheater]

It's your (or your buddy's) spare second stage regulator; short for the slang term "octopus."

All this should be in your OW manual.

[diverdan_51]

Octo stands for octopus. A scuba regulator consists of a 1st stage (the part that attaches to the tank) and a 2nd stage (the part you place in your mouth and breathe with.) An octopus is just an extra 2nd stage that is carried in case of an out of air emergency by your dive buddy. If your buddy's breathing system ever fails, he/she can grab your octo and the both of you will breathe off of your tank, each with your own 2nd stage. Your octo is for your buddy, not for you.

Hope this helps!

[MLenyo]

i don't remember seeing reference to octos anywhere in my OW book, i'll have to pull it out and check. i just remember it being called your "alternate air source" and to keep it in the "golden triangle" =)

[WaScubaDude]

[quote=thecheeseman;126356]sorry guys...but what exactly is an octo?
snip.../QUOTE]

not a bad question. I always thought we should call the entire reg set up with 4 or 5 hoses The Octopus, and call the 2nd, the Safe Second.

[SarahBella]

When I take my reg set up out of the bag it looks like an ocotopus-firs stage being the head. An Octo is your best friend in an OOA(Out OF Air)situation. Also good for filling lift bags and SMB deployment.

[BSea]

Originally Posted by SarahBella

When I take my reg set up out of the bag it looks like an ocotopus-firs stage being the head. An Octo is your best friend in an OOA(Out OF Air)situation. Also good for filling lift bags and SMB deployment.

Actually, it's your buddy's octo that's your best friend. Yours is worthless at that moment.

[MLenyo]

Originally Posted by WaScubaDude

not a bad question. I always thought we should call the entire reg set up with 4 or 5 hoses The Octopus, and call the 2nd, the Safe Second.

actually, i think they DID call the reg setup your "octopus" in my OW class!

[CaptainRon]

[quote=WaScubaDude;126496]

Originally Posted by thecheeseman

sorry guys...but what exactly is an octo?
snip.../QUOTE]

not a bad question. I always thought we should call the entire reg set up with 4 or 5 hoses The Octopus, and call the 2nd, the Safe Second.

When i was certified back in '79, I remember using the "safe second" term.

[mitchy]

Originally Posted by BSea

[Actually, it's your buddy's octo that's your best friend. Yours is worthless at that moment.

Great point!