Teaching AAS with an AIR2

The air2 and similar devices were frequently bought as an AAS. Less so now I think as people have become more used to the idea of carrying an AAS.

Teaching the use of AAS with an air2 was never ideal. However the new training scheme seems to make it almost impossible. To use the air2 the donor takes the air2 and donates their standard DV. This means that under the new scheme the recipient takes the DV from the donors mouth leaving the donor to find their air2.

As a number of people in our branch are still using air2s and similar I wondered if there was a standard procedure for teaching this. Or any tips other than buy an octopus.

As a number of people in our branch are still using air2s and similar I wondered if there was a standard procedure for teaching this. Or any tips other than buy an octopus.

Dont know of any standard procedure, but thinking logicly
it might be best to teach any reg out = grab air2.

(Notice I said might, in case anybody wants to jump down my
throat)

So even if your main comes out you get the air 2 first then
replace it with your main, once its recovered.
In this way taking the primary in a rescue will have the same
response as simply taking the reg out.
Reg out for any reason = get air 2.

Of course you could argue that this make them air 2 dependent
and they might go for it even when they have an octo, but as
you havnt got octos your are changing the skill anyway.
So IMO this is probably the best way.

I'm sure somebody will be along in a minute to say otherwise.

HTH
TerryH :-)

When the idea of having an AAS started my 1st stage only had 3 LP ports so I went for the Air 2 option. However, following an incident where my contents gauge came off and my buddy also had an Air 2. I quickly realised I had his buoyancy controls as he didn't offer to share his DV.

Before my next dive I had bought a new 1st stage and fitted an octopus, as there was no way I was going to be in the position of my buddy, who would be stressed, taking my buoyancy controls.

The cost of the new kit was immaterial compared to my life.

Just my experience.

Edward

The air2 and similar devices were frequently bought as an AAS. Less so now I think as people have become more used to the idea of carrying an AAS.

Teaching the use of AAS with an air2 was never ideal. However the new training scheme seems to make it almost impossible. To use the air2 the donor takes the air2 and donates their standard DV. This means that under the new scheme the recipient takes the DV from the donors mouth leaving the donor to find their air2.

Uh Oh, Someone will be along shortly to tell you that someone will die if you plan to donate the primary reg.

I personally don't like Air2/Auto Air as I don't like trying to control my Bouyancy with the controls in my mouth. However I do dive rigged to donate my primary. (My backup is in a necklace around my neck)

As a number of people in our branch are still using air2s and similar I wondered if there was a standard procedure for teaching this. Or any tips other than buy an octopus.

To be honest there is no good reason these days not to have 2 decent 2nd stages attached to your Rig.

John

I'm sure ive seen it somewhere in the DTP that the BSAC does not condider the Air 2 / Auto Air to be a sufficient AAS - Due to hose thength's Etc...

Never got on with mine anyway - Auto Air always seemed to leak after a service!

Safe Diving.

Dont know of any standard procedure, but thinking logicly
it might be best to teach any reg out = grab air2.

Sounds like a perfect description of long hose use, which after all is just a variation of the air2 technique. But we must not talk about the that......

I'm sure somebody will be along in a minute to say otherwise.

No we don't _always_ disagree with

Sounds like a perfect description of long hose use, which after all is just a variation of the air2 technique. But we must not talk about the that......

Quite honestly the best place for the Air2 is in that box out
in the garage. You know the one with the ABLJ in it :-)

TerryH

Thanks for the comments. I agree the air2 is probably the worst of both worlds. It isn't a decent reg or a brilliant inflator.

I'll have to check the DTP to see if there is guidance on use. However in the real world there are still a few people were and air2 or autoair is their only AAS.

Thanks for the comments. I agree the air2 is probably the worst of both worlds. It isn't a decent reg or a brilliant inflator.

I'll have to check the DTP to see if there is guidance on use. However in the real world there are still a few people were and air2 or autoair is their only AAS.

So how about pursuading them to add an octo?
After all a second hand serviced octo is better than just an
Air2 and you can pick them up for next to nothing.
It is just the 2nd stage anyway, even new you can get one for
?50.

TerryH

:=Thanks for the comments. I agree the air2 is probably the worst of both worlds. It isn't a decent reg or a brilliant inflator.
:=
:=I'll have to check the DTP to see if there is guidance on use. However in the real world there are still a few people were and air2 or autoair is their only AAS.

So how about pursuading them to add an octo?
After all a second hand serviced octo is better than just an
Air2 and you can pick them up for next to nothing.
It is just the 2nd stage anyway, even new you can get one for
?50.

TerryH

Having an Air2/AutoAir device and have been teaching AAS using this for some 10+ plus years I am puzzled by some of the posts here.
The Air2/Autoair device is a pefectly good second device is rated to 50 meteres and if you contact the manufacturers, will find extended hoses are available.(I have one fitted)
To those of you worried about the buddy having control of your bouyancy, if you are diving a dry suit, the dry suit should be controlling your bouyancy not the BCD fitted with the Air2/autoair.
I have recently been involved in a CBL from 20m and placed the casualty onto the Air2/Auto Air with no problems whatever, Years or practice and training kicked in; which would have to be the same whatever system was used. There is substitute for this.