Scuba octopus?

Question

What is the difference between a regulator and an octaopus.

What exactly is an octopus

Answer 1

An octo IS a regulator. There are two types or regulators on a typical scuba rig. Your first stage reg that is attached to your tank valve. From this first stage, there are hoses leading to your primary breathing second stage reg and your Octo second stage. The job of the first stage is to bring that possibly 3,000 psi air in the tank, down to a more reasonable pressure of about 150 psi. From there, the air goes to the second stages and can be reduced down further by these second stage, on demand (meaning it delivers air when you inhale and stops when you finnish inhaling), regs.

The Octo is a second stage back up for a buddy that is out of air or if your own primary second stage ( the one you normally breathe from) is no longer functioning. Octos are generally ( not always) a cheaper reg, that may not have all the bells and whistles that a primary air source does. It's there for an emergency, so ease of breathing under load and tuning adjustments are minor. It gives you air when you're in a pinch, thats the important thing.