Ocean Reef Octopus -Secondary Regulator with Quick Connection Hose

Follow the interval in your regulator's manual, since manufacturers commonly specify an annual inspection or a set number of dives and many warranties depend on it. A regulator is life-support equipment, so service belongs with a factory-trained technician rather than being attempted at home. Have it looked at sooner than scheduled if you notice increased breathing effort, free-flow, bubbles, or water in the second stage.

Make sure the dust cap is dry and firmly seated over the first-stage inlet before the regulator goes anywhere near water, because water inside the first stage is the leading cause of internal corrosion. Rinse in fresh water without pressing the purge button, since purging while depressurized can draw water back into the second stage. Shake out the water and hang it to dry with the hoses in wide, gentle loops rather than tight bends.

Regulators travel well and are usually best carried in hand luggage where they will not be crushed or lost. A regulator holds no gas of its own, so there is nothing inherently problematic about it on an aircraft, though the airline and security screeners always have the final say. Pack it dry with the dust cap in place, in a padded regulator bag or wrapped in soft gear.

Many modern regulators are supplied as suitable for nitrox mixes up to 40 percent oxygen, which is the widely used recreational industry standard, while anything above that requires dedicated oxygen-clean equipment and procedures. Confirm what your specific regulator's manual states, and follow your nitrox training and your fill station's requirements. Never assume a regulator is oxygen-service clean simply because it looks clean or is new.

A yoke (A-clamp) fitting clamps over the tank valve and is the most common connection across much of the recreational world, while a DIN fitting screws into the valve and is standard in much of Europe and in technical diving. DIN captures the o-ring inside the threads, which many divers consider more secure, but yoke is often what rental cylinders provide. Adapters exist in both directions, so check what is used where you dive before deciding.

The octopus is your backup second stage, carried so you can share air with a buddy who is out of gas, or breathe from it yourself if your primary fails or free-flows. It is normally on a longer, brightly colored hose so it is easy to find and hand over under stress. Secure it in the triangle between your chin and the bottom of your rib cage so it is instantly accessible and not dragging through sand or coral.

Store it fully dry, out of sunlight, with the dust cap in place and the hoses in wide loops rather than tightly coiled. Avoid hanging it by the second stages for long periods, which stresses the hose fittings; laying it flat in a padded bag or hanging it by the first stage is kinder. If it has sat unused for a long stretch, have it checked before your next trip rather than assuming it is ready to dive.

The Dive/Pre-Dive control switch adjusts how easily the second stage begins to flow. Set to Pre-Dive, it helps prevent free-flow while the octopus is stowed and not being breathed, which is useful on the surface or when the regulator is hanging in the water. Switch it to Dive when the octopus is actually being used so breathing is easier. There is no separate adjustment knob on this model.

It is intended for connection only to OCEAN REEF first stages. The yellow 120 cm (48") Extraflex hose comes pre-assembled with a male quick-connection fitting and attaches to a standard low pressure port sized 7/16". The regulator is set up for an intermediate pressure of 9.5 to 9.8 bar. If you are unsure which ports your first stage has, call 888-701-4017 and we will check it with you.

The Octopus is rated to 50 m (162 ft) per EN regulations when breathed by one diver. If two divers breathe from the same regulator system simultaneously, the rated depth is 30 m. It is CE marked, compliant with EN 250:2014A and listed as suitable for cold water use below 10 degrees C, so it can be used in colder conditions as well.

The 120 cm (48") yellow Extraflex hose is high-visibility and gives extra length and maneuverability, so a buddy can spot it and share air comfortably. The extra length also improves maneuverability during a hand-off. The second stage itself weighs only 230 g (8.1 oz) excluding the hose, which helps reduce jaw fatigue.