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Catalogue SCUBALAB REVIEWED Backup Breathers

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WOOD SCUBA

ZEAGLE Octo-Z

FEATURES: The Octo-Z is a newcomer to the market. It's compact, made of durable thermoplastic and has brightly colored control buttons. Zeagle has also made it easy to remove the Octo-Z from the corrugated hose by providing a threaded fitting. After you remove the unit, you can use the same threaded fitting to attach your garden hose to the BC to flush salt and sand out of the bladder. Your Octo-Z can then be stored with your primary regulator. Its threaded coupler will fit any corrugated hose with a one-inch diameter, and the unit comes factory-ready for nitrox mixes up to 40 percent oxygen. PERFORMANCE: Test divers found the reg to be an easy breather and reported that the inflator controls were easy to hold and operate. The Octo-Z also clears rapidly with just a touch of the big, soft purge cover. On the ANSTI machine, the Octo-Z turned in Excellent breathing scores at 132 feet and 165 feet using a moderately aggressive breathing rate. It was also one of only three units tested that performed well when pushed to the extreme breathing rate at 132 feet.

BOTTOM LINE: The Octo-Z is a compact performer with breathing capacity to spare anc innovative features at a competitive price. PRICE: $198.

Gemini

FEATURES: The Gemini is a new star among alternate inflator regs thanks to a combination ofj easy-breathing performance and well-designed controls. The slim, oval profile has a sizeable yellow! deflate button and a smaller round inflate button for touch recognition. The lightweight composite housing is fitted with a standard-size mouthpiece that is replaceable. It's also nitrox-ready for mixes up to 40 percent oxygen.

PERFORMANCE: According to both test divers and the ANSTI machine, this octo-inflator provided some of the best breathing performance among the regs in this review. "This is a very easy breather, as good as a primary," commented one tester. "Clears very well and stays dry," said another. On the ANSTI machine, the Gemini was one of only two inflator regs that survived all four of our tests. Based on its work-of-breathing numbers, we rated its performance as Excellent at a moderate breathing rate at 132 and 165 feet, Very Good at the extreme breathing rate at 132 feet, and Good for the extreme breathing rate at 165 feet. As an inflator, it fits nicely in the hand with distinctive control buttons for good touch recognition. The generous oval purge cover is easy to find and offered rapid clearing.

BOTTOM LINE: The Gemini is a top performer with great breathing characteristics, great control features and a compact, streamlined design. It's a lot of reg for the money and earns our Best Buy recommendation. PRICE: $200 (hose assembly not included).

TUSA

Duo-Air IR-3

FEATURES: The Duo-Air is a proven favorite with classic styling and compact design. It uses fiberglass-reinforced nylon for a light, durable case, and all internal parts are stainless steel or chrome-plated brass. The Duo-Air fits any one-inch-diameter corrugated hose, and it comes nitrox-ready for mixtures up to 40 percent. PERFORMANCE: The Duo-Air received Very Good scores in ergonomic performance for breathing, dryness, clearing and user controls. "This alternate inflator breathes like a primary," said one tester. The regulator breathed dry, and the mouthpiece is comfortable and replaceable. The unit fits well in the hand, leaving your thumb hovering over the buttons for quick adjustments. The purge button is "small but very sensitive," and good for clearing. On the ANSTI boat simulator the Duo-Air scored Excellent at a moderately aggressive breathing rate at depths of 132 feet and 165 feet.

BOTTOM LINE: The Duo-Air is a proven performer that offers smooth and dry breathing within recreational diving limits and nice inflator controls. PRICE: $220.

Care & Maintenance Tips

Remember that in an emergency air-sharing situation, your life may depend on how well your octo-reg can deliver air. Follow these tips for trouble-free service.

clean it. Follow all manufacturer recommendations for cleaning your inflator reg. That typically means soaking your octo-inflator under pressure, along with your primary regulator, for approximately 20 minutes in fresh water. Purge any residual water from the reg before depressurizing the system. If the unit detaches from the corrugated hose, store it with your primary regulator.

» protect it. The low-pressure seat, as well as the inflator valve should be protected from foreign material (sand, salt, silt) that could cause a free-flowing regulator or a stuck power inflator. When you detach the low-pressure hose, always use the protective cap to seal the valve opening. »service it. Remember that in an air-sharing emergency, this is your backup reg. Give it the same care and annual maintenance you would give a traditional regulator.

LU Here are a few things to consider when switching from a traditional Q octopus regulator to an inflator reg.

)) hose length. The corrugated hose that connects your inflator reg to the BC needs to be long enough to allow a full range of movement. If you are upgrading your system and just

p^, buying the octo-inflator unit, the existing hose on your BC may not be long enough. Take your BC to the dive store and have a qualified technician fit the octo-inflator correctly and replace

(y) the hose if necessary. Some of the units tested come with (or offer as an add-on) a complete ) hose assembly with rapid exhaust dump—a good option that's well worth the money.

fV // ascent control. Proper ascent control is also an issue when using an octo-infla-

tor. In a situation where your buddy needs air, you should offer your primary second stage and

|- switch to your octo-inflator. This gives your buddy a long enough hose to maneuver and leaves

*^ you in control of your own buoyancy. The tricky part is venting air during your ascent. One way is to use the alternate pull dump found on the right shoulder of most jacket-style BCs. If you don't have this feature, then you may be able to pull down on the corrugated hose (another

—— reason you need a long corrugated hose) to activate the rapid exhaust valve. Some manufacturers make hoses with a grip in the middle specifically for this purpose. The least desirable

|— option would be to take the octo-inflator out of your mouth so you can press the deflation

(^_) button and vent air from the BC. Because you are ascending, it is critical that you never hold your breath and risk lung overexpansion injuries. If you have to take the octo-inflator out of your mouth, make sure you are exhaling a constant stream of bubbles or making a continuous

"a/1/1/1" sound that indicates you are breathing out.

>/ practice the techniques. Discuss your options and the configuration of your BC with a trusted dive instructor, then practice in a controlled, nonemergency environment. Practice switching from your primary second stage to your octo-inflator. Make a normal slow ascent while controlling your buoyancy with the method you feel most comfortable with. Keep your primary second stage close at hand so you can switch back if you have any problems. Perform a slow (30 feet per minute) ascent up to 15 feet and then a normal three- to five-minute safety stop before final ascent. Try it first with your buddy watching, and once you have mastered the technique, practice with your buddy actually using your primary regulator.

SCUBA DIVING AUGUST 200

\UGUST 2007 SCUBADIVING.C