Gear choices for OW

[crunchyfrogs]

A hell of a lot of credit has to go to Richard and all of the staff at SDT for taking the step to start teaching this setup to new students. I'm looking forward to see the results in people who will be a lot more pleased with there first diving experiences using what Richard and crew will teach this year. About the long hose discussion... Why would anyone use anything but the 7ft. hose? What? I don't care if your at 30, 60 or a 160 ft., when someone is in a full blown panic and they want air from you, what are they going to grab? The obscure octo attached to your vest, or the life saving air they can plainly see that's in your mouth? They'll rip the reg out of your mouth everytime! Then, do you want someone that close to you after this? With the long hose, you can push them away, instead of getting hit and kicked with their flailing about wildly as they try to get your air. With the short hose your stuck with this person right next you. And ascending with the short hose\long hose? Short hose: ascend vertically face to face, holding on to each other. Long hose: Ascend in a hrizontal postion, have 7 ft. of space centerline to the diver between each diver, swim freely. What sounds more comfortable to you?

But then again, if someone runs out of air and you have to share it.... What the hell are you doing diving with some one who runs out of air?