Octopus, or no Octopus?

[Trailrunner]

When I was certified in 1977, there was a lot of emphasis on buddy breathing and it seemed that Octo's were popularized after that time. I never bought one and have never needed one in the last 34 years. It really does seem like another rather useless piece of gear to drag around and maintain for the most part if you are primarily solo spearfishing and use good sense. If you start diving deeper (say >100') then a Pony Bottle seems like a desirable solution to plan for any type of major failure/problem. Even with a major malfunction at less than 100' you should be able to manage a very controlled ascent by dropping weight and/or breathing a little air out of your BC.

[Arisaka99]

i'm just debating whether or not to buy one.. I already have two pony tanks and an 80cf tank.

[TaxCollector]

I SCUBA for 30 years, however, in the last 5 years or so have exclusively Freedived. However, My set up was with a primary reg and a secondary that was part of my BCD system. It was very streamlined and out of the way. If I was going to do it again I would Backplate and wings with an actual pony setup. This way I have a complete redundant breathing system. I'm talking a pony in the neighborhood of 10qf.
Also, no way, no how you or anyone else is going to emergency breath off a BCD. If that's your plan get another plan. I was in an OOA situation only once and the guy who needed air took my reg from my mouth. There ain't nothing calm or controlled about it. His first stage malfunctioned. Had he relied on breathing from a BCD he'd be dead now.

[diveincanada]

Depends on how much you value your buddy's or your own life if a problem happens...

[Diver278]

My vote is no. I use an air 2

[AndrewK]

Originally Posted by Diver278

My vote is no. I use an air 2

air 2s have come a long way with what they used to be and what they are now. I agree. in the process of getting a new one now actually.

[Kjonah7]

haha yes, i like octopode. yes look it up

What about the guys who hunt solo???

[AndrewK]

Originally Posted by Keysdivers

What about the guys who hunt solo???

redundant air source, 19-30 cu ft pony. And not one of those stupid spare air things...

[kmoose]

No, i consider them an additional point of failure to add to the overall equation. Dive with competent people who are self sufficient and capable.

Bail outs are good worn around the neck if you're diving at depths where a compromised primary air source could be life threatening.

[Tyson Brown]

[slingshaft]

~~ I vote no!

~~ Bikini thread,Page 99 Pic # 1471 !!!

[kevtegr8]

I use 1 second stage, no pus, no inflator crap, no gauge. The octo rig I had to buy for dive school is nice for spare o-rings and mouthpieces.

[Blackstone]

I don't use and Octopus. I use a BC back up reg, an Atomic SS1.

[Tyson Brown]

Originally Posted by kevtegr8

I use 1 second stage, no pus, no inflator crap, no gauge. The octo rig I had to buy for dive school is nice for spare o-rings and mouthpieces.

I've been thinking over how one dives with no gauge. Do you only do shallow dives and wait for your reg to honk? I'm genuinely curious. And you don't even have a BC inflator? You sound like a freediver, except that they don't use "1 second stage".