Posted by MHK on October 30, 2000 at 18:05:57:
In Reply to: Re: 'an alert for those switching to a long primary hose...' posted by Frank, AADIVER, Farmer on October 30, 2000 at 16:45:08:
Frank,
We necklace the B/U reg under our chin for a variety of reasons:
1) If it free flows we will know, as opposed to it being behind us and us not noticing;
2) It is uniformed so we know exactly where it is when we need it;
3) If in a high flow cave or strong current we can simply reach under our chin and turn it forward to avoid free flows;
4) by donating the primary we ensure a known working regulator, as to your question about knowing if it it'll work under the chin if it worked at the surface it should work when you need it. It didn't have a chance to fall out of the retaining device, or as many diver's do just have it flowing all over the place which could potentially get it snagged, collect contaminents and render it useless when needed.. By donating the primary the diver who is already OOA gets a fresh breath and you try the B/U reg if it doesn't work you revert to air sharing which is easier with a 7'.
I know none of this makes sense in your style of diving, but to the vast majority of the diving world a proper B/U for OOA scenarios is a good idea.
Later