APEKS HOSE RETAINER

As most readers of my blog, or for those that follow my Facebook page know, I dive a hogarthian style setup 99% of the time.  This includes both recreational and technical configurations.  As most of you may know, the principles of an hogarthian system include minimalism, efficiency, safety, and team diving.  So how do we stow the long hose?  As discussed in my twinset setup blogs we can either tuck it in the waist band of our harness or behind our light canister. 

I have tended to favor the light canister as I’ve not had much luck with tucking it into the waist band; it always seems to pop out.  This generally meant I dived with a canister light even when I didn’t need to.  Now some may say that this is not an issue, however for me, as most of my diving is off RHIBs I’m extremely conscious of the damage that could be caused when hauling the kit over the side after a dive, and even the damage that could be caused once in stowage.  Damaged caused by light cables on the floor that could get trodden on, especially if E/O, and the strain on the cable by the canister if bent when everything is bungeed in.

My crude homemade version

So, to combat this, I really wanted what I called a ‘hog stick’.  I had seen some around over the last few years from other manufacturers, especially with the newer hand held primary lights that didn’t need a separate battery, however I could not find a supplier in the UK, so I decided to make my own.

It’s crude, but it did the job and only cost a few quid.  I would have loved to cut a webbing slot into the delrin rod but unfortunately I didn’t have the tools.  Fast forward a year and I hear rumors that Apeks have something in development.  And voila, the Apeks Hose Retainer was born.  I bought mine as soon as it was released.

The hose retainer is very well made; machined from a single piece of delrin with a slot to fit any standard 2" webbing, so it can be used on pretty much any harness or BCD.  It comes with rounded ends, unlike mine, so you won’t feel it dig in to your suit when moving, and also unlike mine, it doesn’t have any clamps that could rub against your suit causing a leak.

My initial thoughts after the first few tries was that it was possibly a little too short as the hose slipped off a few times during the dives, however I soon learnt that if you pull your hose tight as you’re looping it around it works fine.

I’ve now been using it for about 5 months and recently got back from a 2 week trip where I was using it non-stop on a recreational configuration diving from RHIBs.  Absolutely no issues to report and the long hose didn’t once become unlooped. 

As usual, another excellent build by Apeks.

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