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

+3 votes
asked Apr 19, 2017 in Scuba Diving by George1224 (5,147 points)

2 Answers

+3 votes
answered Apr 19, 2017 by Pablo (1,108 points)
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.
+2 votes
answered Apr 20, 2017 by Cvet (3,369 points)
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.
commented May 6, 2017 by hurfish (3,024 points)
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
commented May 6, 2017 by Cvet (3,369 points)
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.
commented May 10, 2017 by hurfish (3,024 points)
Good points!
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