Question

Which is best, a alternate air source integrated BCD or separate 2nd stage regulator and why?

Answer 1

There are advantages to both. An air II has less hoses=less tangles and less gear. The alternate air hose is longer than a primary=more reach. There are so many people who have been taught with the alternate, and it is accessible  to a diver in distress even if you are not paying attention. I dive with both (because I have to), but I would buy what you are trained to use.

Answer 2

I am a repair tech and very seldom do I find an Air 2 in good shape. They take care of their regulators, but treat the Air 2 as part of the BCD. For the most apart their in bad shape and full of corrosion where water sits for a long period. Also most all Air 2s are tuned so that they don't leak no matter how you jump into the water. Which means there hard breathers. I prefer two regs which requires the same internal pressure.

Comments

I agree proper care is key on any equipment and yes especially alt air source. I use and prefer my Air II primarily for streamlining. never had any issues. That said, I do keep it detuned a bit and as for the harder breathing I have never had to use it (minus testing and exercising on occasion) and if I ever had to use it all I care about is that i'm getting air not how smooth it breathes, that would not be in my thinking- just saying

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I agree dive with what your comfortable with. But make sure you take care of your air 2. I have found a product called slosh that I add to the B.C. with water. Then I move it around inside the B.C. and dump it out of each dump valve, including the OPV. Stay safe and have fun.

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Good points!