Oceanic Alpha 10 Octopus

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.

It is covered by Oceanic's Lifetime Warranty program. If the regulator is serviced bi-annually by an authorized Oceanic Service Technician, Oceanic covers the cost of replacement or repair resulting from a failure in material or workmanship, and also covers the cost of replacement parts for the life of the regulator under its Free Parts For Life program. Keep your service records as proof of the required maintenance.

A pneumatically balanced demand valve keeps breathing effort consistent and light, which is why Oceanic describes the Alpha 10 Octopus as giving effortless breathing. That matters on a backup second stage because it may be handed to a stressed, out-of-gas buddy or used by you if your primary fails. The Alpha 10 Octopus is also designed to perform to the U.S. Navy's Class A standards.

It weighs 6 ounces without a hose and has a 2.9 inch front profile, so it adds very little bulk or weight to a packed regulator bag. The design is described by Oceanic as compact, extremely tough and easy to maintain, which suits divers who travel often and want a backup second stage that handles repeated handling and packing.

Yes. Oceanic lists a Miflex hose as an available option for the Alpha 10 Octopus. Many divers choose a flexible braided hose for an octopus because it routes easily and stows neatly in the triangle between chin and lower rib cage. If you want help confirming hose length and fitting for your first stage, call 888-701-4017 or start a chat.