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Scuba Forum > Equipment
 
#207
 Air Buddy??
MontereyBay - 6/11/2015 2:22 AM
Category: Equipment
Replies: 8
Anyone out there use the air buddy? I can not find very much independent information and it has been around since 99. It sounds like a good system. I also am not sure if they still operate and was wondering about future servicing if the should close down. A few of the online dive shops have discontinued carrying them.
#20439
LatitudeAdjustment - 6/11/2015 5:02 AM
I think handing one to an OOA diver would only cause more panic and confusion and they would probably rip your reg out of your mouth next :(
#1376
RockRat2008 - 6/11/2015 7:56 AM
I wasn’t familiar with this so I googled it and looked at their website. I agree with Latitude that unless you have a buddy you dive with regularly that you can practice with this setup would be confusing for your buddy to understand.

I would recommend if you go with this setup to integrate it with your BCD inflator and practice with it so you are comfortable and then in an OOA situation you give your buddy your reg out of your mouth and switch to this one.

drops .02 in the bucket
#20439
LatitudeAdjustment - 6/11/2015 8:17 AM
This



Not Air Buddy the dog!
#207
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MontereyBay - 6/11/2015 9:09 AM
If I was to get it I would use it on my BC and hand my primary off. I’d have to get a longer hose for the primary. I couldn’t expect someone else to know how to use that wasn’t familiar with it. As far as servicing it is much simpler than a standard second stage and is more dependable. The problem is the only one i’d know to service it would be the manufacture. (it should be checked every two years) I can not find much info other than the information put out by the company and I don’t know how old that is because nothing is dated.

I was hoping to find someone who has used it. If it is as good as it sounds why hasn’t it become more popular?
#20439
LatitudeAdjustment - 6/11/2015 10:25 AM
From MontereyBay: If it is as good as it sounds why hasn’t it become more popular?

Well you need to keep your hand on it and take it out to exhale, another task you don’t need with an OOA diver holding on to you!
#383
MC - 6/13/2015 8:38 PM
I use an octo-z inflator combination for my safety second stage. It is simple to understand and use, and easy to find on my BCD.
Why complicate things with another device?
I read the promo and the airbuddy does look interesting, I’m just not seeing any advantage to using one.
#207
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MontereyBay - 6/17/2015 2:47 PM
I got the air buddy on ebay for $25. I am going to use it on my spare regulator set as my octopus. First I will put it on my current regulator to learn to use it. Why I decided to get it. It was only $25. It is used by the Navy seals. I am paying a lot to maintain regulators and it is only $23 to service every two years. It is unlikely to fail when needed, much simpler design than a 2nd stage. Simplifies all the hoses and therefore easier to travel with. And it will be interesting to use. It sounds pretty simple and you don’t take it out of your mouth to exhale just breath out side. Well we see how it works and it was just $25. I’ll let you know what I think. Thanks for all the input.
Mark