Where do you keep your Octopus?

[Mark Weeks]

I was just wondering where abouts on their kit people keep their octopus? Do you clip your octopus to your BC or do you keep it on a neck-strap? I've always kept my octopus clipped to the lower clip on my BC and have always taught my trainees to go for that side in an 'out-of-air' situation. However, during a recent training lesson my trainee panicked and went straight for my DV! Although I was prepared for it I wondered if people think positioning the Octopus nearer your head would help in an emergency situation?

Cheers

[neil carter]

Q E D

See previous threads on this subject dating from DOC two years ago. Every single argument against alternative stowage, breathing from a long hose, necklacing the octopus, etc, stated catgorically and vehemently that in a real life, or death, situation, this would never happen, 'cos all trainees were taught and trained to go for the previously stowed and buddy checked octopus.

Q E D

Neil Carter
ISIS Divers

[johnkendall]

Q E D

See previous threads on this subject dating from DOC two years ago. Every single argument against alternative stowage, breathing from a long hose, necklacing the octopus, etc, stated catgorically and vehemently that in a real life, or death, situation, this would never happen, 'cos all trainees were taught and trained to go for the previously stowed and buddy checked octopus.

Q E D

Hmm de Hmm, de Hmmm.........





John

[Matt]

'cos all trainees were taught and trained to go for the previously stowed and buddy checked octopus.

All trainees used to be taught to signal and take the offered reg. They are now taught to help themselves.

I am still not wholly comfortable with the idea of pulling regulators out the mouths of (some) Ocean Diver trainees. Given the trend for primary donation, I do think we should be teaching it higher in the grades. I am against the current wholesale ban which possibly leaves divers adopting the kit configuration with scant attention to the actual practise.

We have a new NDO maybe it is time to ask the question again.

[David Walker]

I was just wondering where abouts on their kit people keep their octopus?

Pony I have around my neck, as I do with the second reg when i'm using independent twins. My actual octopus when i'm on a single cylinder I clip to the lower left of my BC. Best method for clipping it there i've found (after spending much money on various octo-clips) is a loop of bungee that goes over the main body of the reg, from the purge side of it. Probably won't work on all regs, but its lovely on mine, and unlike anything else i've tried it keeps the reg with mouthpiece pointing down, so you won't get it trying to freeflow when you jump in.
I also have another loop of bungee higher up on my BC, just to put my main reg in when i'm not using the kit (ie sat on the boat), just keeps it out of the way, and also gives me somewhere easy to clip a reg during a dive if I take out my primary reg, or the pony reg comes out of its bungee loop around my neck (its a pain to try to get that back in)

Other thing I saw over the weekend was when I was diving with a PADI instructor, a new member of our branch, and she tucked the hose up through one of the shoulder straps on her BC, meaning that the big bright yellow octo was showing very clearly on her shoulder, easy for anyone to find, and easy to remove and replace. Again that may not work for everyone, you may not have anything on your shoulder to tuck the hose into, but seemed quite good. I still prefer my way though...

David

[Matt]

I was just wondering where abouts on their kit people keep their octopus? Do you clip your octopus to your BC or do you keep it on a neck-strap? I've always kept my octopus clipped to the lower clip on my BC and have always taught my trainees to go for that side in an 'out-of-air' situation. However, during a recent training lesson my trainee panicked and went straight for my DV! Although I was prepared for it I wondered if people think positioning the Octopus nearer your head would help in an emergency situation?

I don't like the clipped off on bottom of stab for a number of reasons
+ The reg is easily dislodged from a quick release, leaving it dangling.
+ The reg is behind you. You are unlikely to spot a minor leak.
+ It is not easily seen by a swimming (horizontal) OOA diver

I only use an octopus when teaching. I stow the reg held in a bungee, clipped on the left shoulder of my stab jacket. The hose comes under the right arm and runs diagonally across the body.
+ An approaching OOA that can see my main, can also see the octo.
+ The reg is less likely to be dislodged, it is easy to spot if it happens.
+ Any bubbling from the octo mouthpiece is easily spotted.
+ The hose is easy to locate without looking and can be traced to the reg. For the OOA the hose emphasises the position of the octo reg.
+ The reg can be reached with either hand if needs be. Usually I would use my left hand to deploy and grab hold of the OOA with my right.
+ If an OOA manages to take the reg from my mouth it is very easy for me to get the octo (a side valve design) into my mouth.

Most of the time I use a twinset and stow the backup reg tethered under my chin with the main on a 2m hose. Generally I dive with buddies who have been trained to take the main from my mouth. The backup is within general grabbing distance of where I would clip an octo. The point here is that I always look for an alternate reg in the same place.

Rather than a commercial quick release I use a simple figure 8 of surgical tubing to stow an octo reg. The mouthpiece is pushed through the lower loop. The top loop can be tied around a strap or looped through a D ring.

[Mark Weeks]

Thanks very much for all your contributions, it's very much appreciated!

[Mike_Firth]

This is simple

AAS and octopus are a recipe for disaster.

There is no other alternative air source except a spare cylinder above 3l (Pony).

Anything else is not AAS.

Where to keep the reg is fairly simple. Anyone going to go for your spare air is going to take the one thats working and thats in your mouth. So thinking laterally try putting the spare reg around your neck on a bungee so YOU can get it quickly after youve been robbed of your primary by your caring buddy.

you might also buy an extension for you spare of 2m to make sure your suffering buddy can make a space for you both in the event he takes the right one.

Tell him or her how it is in the event of needing AAS. If you take this youll get this. So take this pointing to the one around your neck.

Love and sweet kisses

Mike





I was just wondering where abouts on their kit people keep their octopus? Do you clip your octopus to your BC or do you keep it on a neck-strap? I've always kept my octopus clipped to the lower clip on my BC and have always taught my trainees to go for that side in an 'out-of-air' situation. However, during a recent training lesson my trainee panicked and went straight for my DV! Although I was prepared for it I wondered if people think positioning the Octopus nearer your head would help in an emergency situation?

Cheers