I bought a set of 1st/2nd stages from my local scuba shop and they offered to put them together for me, which I said yes to - having never done it before.

I had to get back to work and I picked them up the next day and I've just got them out to check it out before I leave on my diving trip.

I see they have fitted the regulator on the "right" side (assuming you're all connected up with back to tank etc) and as usual, LPH and SPG on left. However, they have also attached the octopus to the "left" side, which I have never seen/dived with before.

Is this usual? I was having a play around and it seems that surely having the octopus on the left side is going to get in the way of the inflator/deflator hose?

Is this usual? Should I attempt to change it around myself or get someone at the dive centre where I am going to do it?

Does sound a little odd to have the octo on that side.

You can change it over yourself, just don't over tighten it. You should just screw it in hand tight then give it a little tweak with a spanner.

If you are not comfortable doing it yourself ask the dive center to show you, it should only take 2 mins.

Hey Wookie,

Found someone on Facebook as well that said change it over. Was quite simple - gave the same advice as you about not over-tightening.

All sorted now 18 hours till I leave

Mounted on the left, when you hand it to your buddy you will be face to face. Face to Face allows you to calm your buddy and control the ascent.

Mounted on the right side, unless you have a very long hose, they are on your right shoulder as the reg goes over their right shoulder to be the right way up. You have no control over them or their ascent. If you decide to have a right side mounted octopus it should be able to be used either way up i.e. side exhaust 2nd stage. Unfortunately this is rare and most people have badly setup regs as this is the way 'the world is taught to dive.'

Sorry Tafferboy, I'd change it back.

That does make sense AtlanticScuba, always had it set up the other way. Never had an issue using it that way, though I can see it being more comfortable setup the way you say. My BCD even comes setup to carry the octo on the right side.

Out of curiosity which side do you have your SPG and dry suit hoses setup?

AtlanticScuba wrote:


Will make it hard to raise my inflater hose though :/

Wookie wrote:

SPG on left tucked into the BCD's waist strap. Drysuit hose under right arm.

thetafferboy wrote:

Why? You don't need to inflate as you are ascending, only deflate. That's why modern BCD's have shoulder dumps. In fact the only time I use my BCD's inflator to dump air is when I am teaching to show students.

I use the right hand shoulder dump otherwise.

When ascending with an OOA buddy you may need to be able to control their dumping or air, you also need to hold onto them. In an OOA situation they are likely to be panicking and will be heading for the surface, with you attached. By keeping hold of them with your left hand your right hand is free to control their dumping of air, if needed, and your right shoulder dump to keep a safe ascent rate.

One other question - could they not be facing me? My octo mouthpiece can be used either way up.

thetafferboy wrote:

Yes, You want them facing you. If your octo can be used either way up then it can be mounted either side.