Why have a backup regulator?
A backup
regulator/alternate source/octopus, whatever you decide to call it, is a
secondary gas supply to be used by any diver in an emergency. Now in theory a diver should never be out of
gas underwater as all dives should be planned correctly, however accidents do
happen and equipment can fail, so regardless of your equipment setup, whether
you primary or secondary donate, every diver should have a secondary source of
gas.
Location?
So now
we’ve got a second regulator, where do we put it? The regulator must be positioned is such a
place so that it’s assessable to the intended user. This usually means locating the regulator
within the ‘triangle of access’, so that it can be seen and accessed by the
diver themselves. This can mean having it attached to a necklace or a suitable
clip within the triangle.
There are
now 2 main considerations; visibility and access. If we primary donate then it’s simple; go for
the one in my mouth; the backup is for me.
If we secondary donate the buddy should be able to easily see and
identify the correct regulator. It is
for this reason many backup regulators are brightly coloured (normally yellow)
and may have corresponding hose colours too.
If the regulator is located within the ‘triangle’ it will help keep it
visible if an out of gas (OOG) diver approaches from the front. However as divers we SHOULD be in a
horizontal position so locating the backup regulator in the shoulder or neck
area may be more appropriate hence the use of a necklace.
Additional
advantages of a necklace are that it makes the regulator instantly assessable
to the diver in an emergency; you’ll need to find it fast so it’s important you
know where it is. It is also less
likely to be affected by surrounding water turbulence that may cause a free
flow. The pictures below show backup
regulator positioning with a necklace of a single cylinder and twinset
configuration.
Cost?
There are
many companies such as Beaver and Lomo that manufacture rubber or silicone
necklaces from as little as £5 however these are generally too big for most
people allowing the regulator to hang too low.
Additionally, as the size of the mouthpiece loop is fixed so it has a
tendency to pop out. Halcyon make some from bungee which cost
around £7 which are exactly the correct size and keep the regulator in place.
I’m going
to show you to make your own for as little as 50p. I am going to show you 2 methods; the first
is very similar to the Halcyon and the second is one which
physically secures the necklace to the mouthpiece.
Method 1
This is the necklace I prefer and use. Although the necklace isn’t physically
secured to the regulator, you can tighten the knot up, although if pulled hard
enough could come free.
You will need the following:
1. Approximately 2.5-3ft of 5mm bungee (2mm does work but I prefer the larger
diameter).
2. Scissors or a sharp blade.
3. Lighter.
For the remainder of this how to: I will
describing how to do the skill right handed so if you’re a lefty you may have
to reverse the skill.
The necklace is constructed using a double
fisherman’s knot. The first thing you do
is form a loop with the bungee in your left hand with the end facing your right
closest to you.
Next we make 1 turn over and under the adjacent
cord.
We make a
second turn over the cord, however this time we come back on ourselves.
Before
going back over and through both loops.
And pulling
tight. This involves using both ends and
working the knot tight.
Rotate the
knot through 180° and size it correctly for you neck. Repeat the same process of the opposite side
allowing 1-1.5 inches for the regulator mouthpiece.
And you
have your necklace. Just a final check
to see if it fits correctly.
Trim the
ends.
and burn
off any loose threads.
Finally fit
to the regulator. Final adjustment may
be needed to loosen or tighten the mouthpiece loop.
Job done.
Method 2
This method is the simplest to construct and physically
secures the necklace to the regulator making the possibility of it coming off
very low; however if it does come off it will take the mouthpiece with it.
You will need the following:
1. Approximately 2-2.5ft of 5mm bungee (2mm does work but I prefer the larger
diameter).
2. Scissors or a sharp blade.
3. Lighter.
4. Spare zip tie large enough to secure a mouthpiece.
Tie a knot
in one end of the bungee.
Size it up
to your neck, tie a second knot then cut and burn the spare end.
Carefully
cut off the old zip tie on the regulator.
Replace the
zip tie carefully inserting either end of the loop before pulling tight.
Carefully
cut off any excess from the zip tie.
Job done.
Regardless
of which method you prefer I hope that this is helpful to some of you and saves
you a few £££s.
The boring bit!
All opinions
expressed in my articles are my own and may differ to other instructor’s and
agency guidelines; by no means are they wrong and I would not wish to disrepute
any of them. This article is for
information only and should not replace proper training.
Safe diving!
Timothy Gort
BSAC, PADI
& SDI/TDI diver training
l Mob:
07968148261 l Email: tim@rectotec.co.uk l
rectotec are pleased to announce a 5% discount to all of its customers at Aquanauts Dive Centre
in Plymouth. 
