Octopus Buying Guide
« Back to Buying Guide IndexThe Role of an Octopus
Your octopus is one of the main pieces of safety equipment that you can take into the water. Your octopus can come to your aid or your buddy's aid. If something unexpected happen to a diver's primary regulator, the octopus is available to supply the diver with air.
An octopus consist of three parts: a first stage (frequently purchased separately), a brightly-colored 2nd stage, and a long air hose.
1st Stage vs. 2nd Stage
The first stage attaches to the diver's tank via a yoke or DIN fitting. It regulates the air pressure as the air exits the tank before the air can enter the air hose. The second stage contains the mouthpiece and purge valve; the purpose of the second stage is to deliver the air into the diver's mouth and to remove any waste (air or other objects) as needed.
Hose
Octopus hoses are usually longer than a diver's primary regulator hose. This is because the octopus may be used by your buddy, who will be a slightly greater distance from your tank than you are.
Swivel
Many octopuses offer a fairly free swivel motion, which gives the allows the diver in need comfortably posi- tion the regulator. This also permits your buddy to breathe through your octopus regardless if he/she is behind your, in front of you, or next to you. Some octopuses also can be used equally well right-side-up or upside-down. This permits you to aid your buddy, even if he/she is below you.
Purge Button/Exhaust Valve
The 2nd stage's exhaust valve is a one-way valve that allows the diver's exhaled air to leave the regulator. Basically, it is where the bubbles exit the mouthpiece.
The purge button allows the diver to force air from his/her tank through the regulator to clear any water that may have inadvertently entered the 2nd stage. This button should be fairly simple to manipulate, even when wearing thick dive gloves. It should also only require the pressure from one finger to success- fully perform the purge.
Mouthpiece
Your octopus' mouthpiece is a more crucial piece of equipment than most people believe. Mouthpieces are typically made from hypoallergenic silicone, which is a pliable, yet sturdy material.
More and more mouthpieces are touted as being ergonomically shaped. This is a great advantage be- cause it means your jaw will maintain a natural position, which should decrease your changes of experiencing post-dive jaw pain.
Because mouthpieces wear out with repeated use, it is highly recommended that each diver keep a spare mouthpiece in his/her dive bag. Some divers incorrectly bite down hard on their mouthpieces, instead of softly cradling the mouthpiece between the upper and lower teeth. This results in the bit areas separating from the main portion of the mouthpiece. If this happens, the mouthpiece must be replaced before return- ing to the water.
Octopus Accessories:
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Spare Mouthpiece
Regulator mouthpieces wear out over time. Keeping a new mouth piece in your dive bag will ensure that you have a comfortable and fully-functioning mouthpiece whenever it is needed.
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Octopus Holder
Hold your Octopus firmly in place and keep any unwanted crud from getting into the octopus.
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Save-a-Dive Kit
The last thing you want to do is find out on the beach or dive boat that something is wrong with your gear, and not have a way to fix the problem. By carrying a save-a-dive kit, you can still safely enjoy your dive or snorkeling adventure just like you planned.