Compiled and
edited by Jeffrey Bozanic
The possibility
of running out of air, either through inadequate monitoring of the
submersible pressure gauge or as a result of equipment failure, is
one of the leading specters of the diving student. As part of their
training, one of the basic emergency skills deals with how to cope
with that eventuality. Yet, for such a widespread and seemingly "standard"
skill a great deal of controversy still exists in the proper way to
handle the scenario both during training and in the actual event.
The question
of which second stage to pass, the one in use or the alternate, has
been asked since the use of alternate or "octopus" second
stages first came into use in the late 1970s. Most of the arguments
have remained the same since the time their use was introduced. Those
favoring passing the second stage in use, or the "primary"
second stage believe it is best to do so for the following reasons:
(1) It is the natural response of the panicky, out of air diver to
grab for the nearest regulator known to be fully functional, (2) passing
of this second stage is consistent with buddy breathing skills, (3)
the "primary" second stage is generally tuned to breath
better, further aiding the out of air diver, and (4) transfer of air
is faster.
Those promoting
passing the alternate second stage feel that this technique: (1) is
safer for the donor, as at no time is the donor ever out of air, (2)
minimizes the necessity for regulator passing between the two divers,
and (3) places the burden of risk on the diver who "deserves"
it, the one who ran out of air in the first place. A complete examination
of both viewpoints were presented in different articles by Egstrom
(1987) and Bozanic (1987).
I first presented
this question top the membership in the May/June 1988 issue of NDA
News (Bozanic, 1988). At that time the majority of the respondents
supported passing the alternate second stage, by a margin of 5 to
4. However, based on this issue's sampling of members the pendulum
has swung in the other direction. Of the fifteen replies, eleven of
them favored passing the second stage in use by the donor. And of
the four answering that the alternate be passed, several of them acknowledged
that there were times that it was necessary to pass the primary unit
as well. What has caused this change in attitude?
The primary
impetus for the shift in attitudes seems to be the increasing use
of alternate air sources which are integrated into the buoyancy compensator
low pressure inflator hoses. Equipment like the Scubapro Air II, Sherwood
Shadow, and Seaquest Source are proliferating in the marketplace.
These units are designed to be used by the diver wearing them, and
are nearly impossible for the buddy to use effectively. Because of
this, many instructors, including many who were proponents of diametrically
opposite opinions, now believe that the second stage in use should
be passed.
A secondary
argument advanced was one of legal liability. By passing the second
stage in use, a donor may be avoiding potential implied legal covenants
associated with passing the alternate second stage. As the second
stage passed was definitely purchased and maintained for personal
use, and not the buddy's use, there is in theory no legal responsibility
to maintain it to some theoretical standard. While the validity of
this conjecture is untested, it presents an interesting perspective.
Besides the
issue of integrated alternate air source use, there was other common
ground for the two factions with divergent opinions. Members of both
groups agree that consistency in response is important, and that continued
practice in out of air drills is critical.
References:
Bozanic, J.1987,
"Standardizing air sharing techniques," NDA News, Nov/Dec,
pp. 35-37.
-----, 1988, "Members Forum #5: Standardized octopus use,"
NDA News, May/Jun, pp. 6-10.
Egstrom, G., 1987, "Emergency procedure: Air sharing," NDA
News, May/Jun, pp. 35-36.
QUESTION: "WHEN
USING AN ALTERNATE SECOND STAGE, SHOULD THE ALTERNATE REGULATOR OR
THE PRIMARY (FROM THE MOUTH) BE PASSES? WHY?
A. Simplicity
and consistency almost demands that we "Pass the Primary."
At least two manufacturers build systems that only work this way.
In addition, it seems that many instructors have shared my experience
with students that "take" your primary despite the obviously
offered "octopus." It seems clear that the expected action
from a panicked person should set the response.
--Peter Meyer,
NAUI 4264; Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (Insurance
Broker handling diving instructional liability insurance. Member NAUI
Canada Board of Directors. Has lectured extensively on risk management
in scuba instruction.)
A. It depends
in part on the system employed by the donor. Some alternate second
stages are designed to be used a particular way, like the AIR II for
example, where the donor must give up his/her primary and use the
safe second to be effective. In the case where both the primary and
secondary are on long enough hoses to extend to the individual in
need, there is not a question in my mind that I would pass the alternate
air source. My primary air source is mine, not to be confused with
one I would donate. In a situation that might call for the need of
an alternate air source, it is critical that the individual not in
need be completely in control of the situation. If this individual
gives up his/her primary air source, they are, for a brief period
of time, in jeopardy of losing control, especially if the alternate
is not immediately available. Which ever strategy is employed, the
most important consideration is that the person donating air be prepared
to use the same method they were trained in, and/or are most comfortable
with, and not switch back and forth. It must be an immediate and effective
response should the situation arise.
--Nicole Crane,
NAUI 10435; Pacific Grave, CA (Diving
Safety Officer for Stanford University. Has taught all levels of diving
to Divemaster, including specialties such as Research Diving. Has
Taught for the military at Fort Ord and at the Catalina Island Marine
Institute.)
A. Before an
answer is given, some preconditions must be made. The case of the
Scubapro AIR II is different from the traditional "octopus"
in that the donor must pass the primary and change to the AIR II.
If we consider
only the secondary, I feel that the donor should offer the alternate
air source for two reasons. First, the alternate air source normally
has a longer hose to facilitate the passing of that second stage to
the receiver. Second, by offering his alternate air source the donor
never needs to remove his or her regulator and risk potential problems
with placement and clearing of another regulator (remember that the
donor may be as or more nervous than the receiver). By passing the
alternate second stage, only one diver has to replace and clear a
mouthpiece.
But despite
my feelings stated above, I believe that there may be a time when
the exercise may progress in an opposite manner. A nervous, anxious,
or panicky "out of air" diver may simply take the primary
regulator from the donor's mouth, leaving the donor no option but
to use the alternate air source. All divers should be prepared for
this eventuality. But when this "out of air" diver is seen
coming and the donor has time to react, the alternate air source should
be the one offered.
--Keith J. Sliman,
NAUI 3417L; Baton Rouge, LA (Director
of Training for SEVEN SEAS, a NAUI Pro Facility and winner of 1987
Affiliate Award. Received the Outstanding Service Award and Continuing
Service Award. Member of NAUI Dive Table Review Committee, reviewer
of Advanced Diving Techniques, contributor to upcoming Leadership
Manual and frequent contributor to Sources. Has taught all levels
from entry level to ITC.)
A. It seems
from past experience that customers are more comfortable with my regulator,
as it is obviously working.
--Tom Long, NAUI
2444; Akron, AL (President
of Pro Diving Service, Inc., a commercial diving service; and President
of Cruzan Divers, Inc., a tropical dive resort. Spent 10 years as
a military diver.)
A. There are
not many things that can be 100% guaranteed, but one thing is certain:
the regulator in my mouth works! I agree with FAA. In the event there
is a loss of pressurization in an aircraft, an adult should put the
oxygen mask on first, and then tend any children. Completed in reverse
sequence, an adult may become incapacitated, and may not be able to
help. Why should it be different underwater?
Should a "leech"
(out of air diver) come to me for air, why should I give up that which
I know is functioning? It is true that the "leech" will
not likely come up and ask, "Oh you hoo, can I borrow some of
your air please," as is often implied in training. He will most
likely hit like a ton of bricks, biting and scratching, with eyeballs
dangling inside the mask like hard boiled eggs, and might try to rip
the regulator out of my mouth. However, if my brightly colored backup
regulator which is 99.99% working (I tried it before I went in, but
not in the last minute prior to the incident), and is mounted in the
golden triangle (upper center chest) which is a highly visible area;
and is not dangling somewhere behind me, or dragging in the sand,
or bouncing off the wreck, or what is worst, hidden inside the "octopus
pocket" strapped with velcro and impossible to get out in a hurry;
then I might have a chance to effectively pass the backup regulator
to the out of air diver. Also, the out of air diver might take the
regulator him/herself from the golden triangle, because it sits right
in front of them.
If I pass my
primary regulator, and the backup I take fails, then I would not be
able to help the stressed diver. We both might end up dead. I must
be in control all the time. Therefore, I pass my backup second stage.
I teach my students to do the same. Should the backup regulator fail,
there is still buddy breathing. There is the argument that a diver
might swim up from behind and rip the regulator out of my mouth. Well,
in that case I have no choice. If I loose number one, then I must
go for number two, but not of my own free will, jeopardizing the safety
of both of us. Some may try to convince me that the out of air diver
needs the air more than I do. Guess again! And besides, it does not
take any longer to pass the octopus than it takes to pass the primary,
if it is mounted properly. (On the left side, so that when it is passed
to the other diver, direct eye contact can be maintained, and the
exhaust port will be in the down position. There is no way a regulator
can be passed from the right side with out kinking the hose, using
up the extra length or leaving the exhaust port pointing up.)
My opinion
on this matter is: give the backup regulator to the "leech,"
keep the primary, and never ever give up control.
--George Safirowski,
NAUI 8921L; Hackensack, NJ (Instructor
Trainer, Head Sport Rescue Trainer for Lifeguard Systems, teaching
all levels of diving to ITCs, as well as Underwater Photography, Video,
and Diver Rescue specialties.)
A. The alternate
second stage should be passed. This allows the diver with the air
to remain in control of the situation by retaining the primary regulator.
--Ian Koblick,
NAUI ????; Key Largo, FL (Director,
Marine Resources Development Foundation. Has been heavily involved
in underwater habitats and laboratories for almost thirty years.)
A. The primary
second stage should be passed to the needy diver from the mouth of
the donor diver. There at least two several reasons for this: this
procedure starts off identical to buddy breathing and as a result
confusion in the initiation of emergency procedures is minimized;
with the numerous different types of alternative breathing devices
that are available surrendering the primary and then being responsible
for proper initiation of your own personal alternative air system
is the only procedure that will provide divers with free choice of
their backup system and not simultaneously endanger divers who are
not identically trained or equipped.
Regardless
of which regulator (device) one believes should be passed practicing
emergency procedures is crucial. Except on dives when there is a severe
bottom time limitation divers should conduct a safety drill of their
emergency breathing procedures at the beginning of every dive.
--Phil Sharkey,
NAUI ????; Narragansett, RI (Diving
Officer for the University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography.
Has taught all levels and served as an ITC Director. Member of the
NAUI Technical Advisory Group. Recipient of the NAUI Outstanding Service
Award.)
A. Before we
proceed though, there is one clarification that needs to be made.
I feel that the long hose needs to be used as the primary (in the
mouth) regulator and the short hose as the safe second which I have
placed under the sternum strap of the BC. This is done to avoid unwarranted
maintenance due to the dragging of the regulator through the dirt
or catching on the coral reefs, as well as providing easy access to
the safe second (or octopus). Too many of the attachments are hard
to get to, or through,or into, to get to the safe second, especially
if you are in cold water, wearing gloves or in a panic situation.
If the safe second is under the sternum strap of the BC then all the
diver has to do is drop a hand and pinch the clip which can easily
be done with or without gloves and then place the safe second in their
mouth.
As to the original
question, it is difficult to make a black and white statement or policy
since not everyone is going to act the same way as someone else in
the same emergency situation. We also make the mistake of teaching
all of our students that the proper way to approach someone or that
someone is going to approach them when you are out of air is to make
a slashing motion across the throat and then pass the hand from mouth
to mouth. However, those of us who have been diving for a while know
that this does not always happen like in the textbooks or classrooms.
In reality they often (the victim out of air) come out of no where
and grab the regulator out of your mouth with only one intention,
TO BREATH AIR, whose, is not the question, they just want TO BREATH.
There have been two occasions where this has happened to me at a depth
of 100 feet or more. An eye opening experience to say the least. The
person that now 'owns' my regulator now has no intention of returning
it to me, or trading for the safe second with the long hose, if you
were breathing off of the short hose. I now have this panicked person
on top of me and I finally do get to my safe second long hose which
the panicked diver is now becoming entangled in and ripping out of
mouth on the way to the surface.
As I mentioned
earlier, by breathing off of the long hose it also stops it from dragging,
but the primary reason is to allow the diver to make a choice depending
on the circumstances. The first would be to allow the diver to keep
the regulator which he just ripped out of your mouth (as described
above) and then give him the distance needed to maintain your safety
(yet still maintain control). However, if the diver who is out of
air comes up to you and gives you the proper out of air signal all
you have to do is take a quick inhale (if needed) and hand them your
regulator and then reach down and pick up your safe second located
in the middle of your chest.
I feel that
this is a relatively simple solution to both the textbook and non
textbook (also known as real life) situations that someone nay come
across if they dive long enough. But let me also add that in all of
the out of air emergency situations that I have come across or been
involved in, each one could have been avoided if the divers had just
been aware of their surroundings, air supply and most of all their
training limitations. All these were certified divers and "knew
what they were doing", yet they still ran out of air. There is
no substitution for good training, discipline and practicing safe
diving techniques.
Bob Pierce, NAUI
7118; Palm City, FL (Has worked as a divemaster and instructor for
eight years.)
A. When using
one's alternate second stage, it is usually because a nearby diver
in difficulties and not necessarily your own buddy, if the dive site
is a popular one has had some sort of interruption to his or her air
supply and has seized literally on the nearest second stage that diver
can see is working. The working regulator is the one that you are
breathing from and in a real out of air situation, not a pool practice,
divers must be prepared for someone in a somewhat concerned frame
of mind to fin up and snatch your regulator out of your mouth without
any warning. This person will then do their utmost to retain your
regulator until such time as their panic has eased, so the question
of which second stage to pass becomes academic.
Acceptance
of the above statement as a realistic probability leads to the only
sensible equipment arrangement which copes with this situation, and
that is simply to have one's PRIMARY second stage, i.e. the one you
normally use, coming over your RIGHT shoulder on a longer than usual
intermediate hose. A suggested length for this hose would be 36"
and these lengths are readily available from reputable dive stores.
Your alternative second stage would be either Scubapro's A.I.R. II
or Apeks Marine's "Octo +", which may be named differently
in America. There are other varieties of the same thing, which may
also be suitable whatever you buy and fit to your BC must be an efficient
regulator COMBINED with a Direct Feed/Dump/Oral Inflator, and MUST
be fitted to the Oral Inflation Hose on the LEFT side of your BC.
The whole procedure
then becomes simple someone takes the regulator that they can see
working from your mouth, so you immediately commence your breathing
from your AIR II/Octo +, THEN you sort their problem out.
This system
also does away with an extra air hose from your First stage, as all
these alternative air sources use your BC's direct feed hose to supply
their air. It also precludes the need for you to dangle an ordinary
if brightly colored second stage in the sand or stow it in a BC pocket
where the person who needs it cannot see it.
And the only
opposition to this arrangement will be from diving equipment manufacturers
who are still selling recolored but otherwise standard second stages
as alternative air sources, when combination regulator and direct
feed units are exactly what is required.
--Nick Herbert,
NAUI N38911; Christchurch, Dorset, England
A. The primary
should be passed to the person in need of air, because it would be
the fastest source of air to get to. Also, many divers today are using
Scuba Pro Air IIs and similar regulators by other manufacturers. These
are not easily passed because of their short low pressure hoses. Thirdly,
in many cases I have heard of, the decision was made by the person
in need of air when he/she pulled the primary from the mouth of the
"donor". in cases like this, a diver trained to pass the
primary would automatically reach for his/her alternate second stage
and proceed with whatever needs to be done.
--Jeff Lynam, NAUI
12195; Acworth, GA (Independent
Instructor and Manufacturer's Representative. Has worked in resorts,
attended I.T. Workshops, and staffed IQ '91.)
A. Four factors
suggest that it is best that the donor to pass the primary regulator
(the one being breathed) and pickup the alternate air supply. These
are: (a) More often then not this is a high stress situation, with
the out of air diver being particularly anxious. Thus that diver may
have difficulty accepting an 'unknown' and attempt to grab the regulator
that is visibly operating, the one in the south of the donor. (b)
In the same vein, if the recipient receives the alternate air supply
(AAS), the 'backup', and it does not operate in a manner that will
instantly meet 100% of inspiratory requirements, either real or imagined,
extreme distress, even panic could ensue. (c) Time the person in need
of air has been out of air for an unknown period of time and any delay
in receiving air will exacerbate that. Searching for the alternate
air supply and fumbling with it to provide it at the right orientation
may prove inordinately long from the standpoint of the victim.
The above points
assume that the out of air diver could possibly lock composure and
may not regard this situation an a pool drill. Those concerns should
be the essential ingredients when deciding on standards. The fourth
point is dictated by the market place: (d) Today there exists on the
market backup breathing systems that are integral with the BC inflator
hose. Irrespective of the debates on their merits, they are in fact
in use and obligate the donor to relinquish their regulator and pickup
the alternate air supply, which incidentally is located on the left
side, an unconventional place for air.
--E. Esat Atikkan,
PhD, NAUI 6274; Rockville, MD
A. I strongly
recommend that the primary be passed. An out of air buddy is potentially
panicky. He needs air quickly, and he needs a second stage that delivers
air efficiently. Alternate second stages are often of poorer quality
than primary second stages, are generally not maintained as well,
and often are tuned to breath harder to prevent free-flow. Promoting
passing the primary regulator will encourage divers to address these
problems, and to conduct safety checks on both units prior to diving.
To utilize
this method, the longer second stage hose should be on the primary
second stage. This eliminate the need for any further exchange. It
also makes it easier for the diver to recover his second stage should
at any time it be lost from the mouth.
--Michael Aw,
NAUI 11245L; ???, Australia (Professional
Educator with Frog Dive Centres, teaching entry level courses through
ITCs.)
A. I choose
to give my own primary to an out of air buddy and use my own octopus.
With this format, using an octopus starts in the same manner as the
buddy breathing sequence (no now signals or procedures are introduced).
The donor gives the primary to the needer, while maintaining control
over the primary. At such time as the donor has retrieved and commenced
to breathe from his own octopus, which should be located on the chest
(primary hose length should be longer than standard), then they can
relinquish control of their primary.
Rationale for
this technique is a belief that regardless of what kind of alternate
air source is present and available, in a real life out of air situation
the needer is most likely to pursue acquiring the primary second stage
from the donor (it is clearly accessible and visibly working) rather
than patiently search for, and acquire, the alternate.
if the donor
has not been trained lo give up the primary (expects to give the buddy
his octopus) he'll be caught off guard and will instinctively fight
to keep his primary. When It's obvious that It's gone, he'll have
to search for the octopus, which may be located any number of places.
Time is lost if the donor tries to regain the primary (which he has
been trained to keep), and more time will be lost locating the octopus
for their own use.
However, if
the donor is trained to expect to give up the primary (worst case
scenario), there is less likely to be a frantic fumbling or grabbing
for an air source. You automatically have a more 'controlled' exchange.
You've also given the out of air buddy the easier of the two second
stages to breathe with (since octopuses are generally stiffer to breathe
from to prevent free flow).
A further advantage
of giving up your primary is that it is initiated in the same manner,
signals and technique, as buddy breathing. This provides an easy teaching
transition from buddy breathing to octopus breathing, You've expanded
upon an already taught skill rather than resorted to teaching a now
one.
There is some
question In the courts regarding liability for those who use an octopus
as an alternate air source. Much of the diving industry teaches that
a donor never gives up their primary, but instead gives their octopus
to the out of air buddy. If this is defined as a "standard of
the community" then it means that you purchase an octopus for
your buddy's use, not your own. Herein lies the rub. You may now have
created a legal covenant with your buddy that:
1. You be close
enough for them to have easy access to the octopus.
2. That it will be well maintained (you may have to prove it, ie.
service records).
3. There be enough air for your buddy to use.
The method
of preference that I have described at the beginning of this opinion
may very well eliminate this legal covenant. If you and your buddy
are clear that in the event of an out of air situation, the easier
to breathe (make sure primary hose is long enough) primary goes to
the out of air buddy, then you certainly did not purchase the octopus
for your buddy, but purchased it for your own use.
--Pat Van Mullem,
NAUI 5168L; San Jose, CA (ITC
and Crossover Course Director, recipient of Outstanding Contribution
to Diving Award and Continuing Service Award)
A. I have had
many an argument with other instructors in the past on this question.
My argument was, "why take a perfectly good regulator out of
your mouth to put another one in, and have to clear it in the process?"
But I feel this will change in the near future because as AASs (i.e.
Air II) become cheaper, or more manufacturers make cheaper copies,
there will only be one way to teach alternate air skills. If asked,
I recommend my students to buy Air IIs or similar units. With this
in mind I think the best teaching method would have to be to pass
the primary.
--Wayne Christiansen,
NAUI 8486; Cairns, Queensland, Australia (Teaches
at various resorts along the Queensland coast.)
A. Most divers
in an out of air situation are rushed in their efforts to obtain more
air. They also tend to go straight for their buddy's regulator, the
one source they know for sure is delivering air. This may catch the
other diver by surprise! If people are trained not to depend on their
primary in an air sharing situation this become less of a problem.
Divers should carry AAS equipment to protect themselves in an out
of air situation (having an air hungry buddy yank your primary out
while you are busy prying an abalone off a rock from under a ledge,
for example.)
Therefore I
believe passing the primary makes more sense. It teaches people to
automatically use their AAS in these situations which makes the above
scenario much less of a problem. This technique also supports using
the Scubapro Air II or Seaquest Source, which are increasingly popular
types of AAS equipment.
--Rick Nare, NAUI
11921; Escondido, CA (Owner
of Rick's Diving Locker, a NAUI Pro Facility. Active instructor training
divers from OW I to leadership levels.)
