Using Scuba Alternate Air Supplies
Which Scuba Regulator Should Be Handed To An Out Of Air Diver?
Aug 24, 2008
Buddy out of air! Rushing over, eyes bulging, arms and legs waving and making cutting signals across their neck. They might be a total stranger screaming for a safe, secure air supply. Not pleasant for either diver.
Handling An Out Of Air Diver
There could be many reasons why they need another source of air. Heavy breathing, low fill, not monitoring air consumption, equipment failure, poor dive plan. What to do? Panic? Look around to see if anyone else can handle the situation? Of course not! The alternate air supply will be calmly handed over, then the situation reassessed.
Which Regulator to Hand Over?
With two air supplies, which one does the donor give the receiver? There are two schools of thought. First is that the donor hands over their primary source of supply, and then locates their alternate.
Or, the receiver takes the alternate, leaving the donor with their primary.
There are logical arguments to each.
Handing Over the Primary Scuba Air Source
Handing over the primary ensures the receiver gets a secure air supply quickly. Usually, the out-of-air diver needs the air quicker than the donor. Any delays could aggravate the situation.
Also, the donor knows where their alternate air supply is and how to use it.
Handing Over the Alternate Scuba Air Source
However, by the donor keeping their primary source, one diver has a continuous supply of air. Having two divers groping for air supplies can make situation worse.
This also reinforces one of the major rules of rescue diving: a diver should never put themself in a dangerous situation when assisting another diver. Though it would be difficult to be breathing a secure supply while the out-of-air diver wrestles with buckles and straps to get the alternate air supply.
Some divers are adamant no-one is going to take their primary source. This attitude is a concern as a panicking, out-of-air diver could rip the primary source from the mouth and suddenly there could be two panicking divers.
Use of a Longer Hose
A further line to this discussion, is which second stage has the long hose? The answer really depends on which second stage the donor intends to hand over first and which one will ultimately be used for the ascent. For the average sportdiver, a good approach is to have the long hose on the alternate, and the short hose on the primary. This is the most comfortable, and the use of an alternate is generally a rare event.
Some instructors and divemasters have long hoses on both second stages so they can hand over either.
Be Prepared For All Situations
There is no sure-fire answer to which air source to hand over. It is personal preference and will also depend on the diving situation. Instructors may feel it better to hand over their primary supply to lessen their student’s anxiety.
The main criteria is the type of alternate air supply the donor is using and the state of the receiver. If the receiver is calm then they could take the alternate air supply. But if on the verge of panic it would be better to push the primary supply into their mouth. The donor would then find their alternate air supply.
As in most diving, it is best to expect the unexpected, so each situation should be accessed at the time. It is impossible to know which is the best option until the situation arises.
In certain situations an alternate air supply is useless, so all divers should be prepared to buddy breathe at any time.
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