As your single most important piece of scuba safety gear, a spare regulator/ octopus can come to your aid or your buddy’s aid as a back up source of air supply underwater. In past posts we’ve seen What To Look For In A Spare Regulator (Octopus), now we’ve compiled a list of the Top 5 Octopuses (spare regulators), rated and reviewed by hundreds; all available at Scuba.com with a best price guarantee.
1. Scubapro R395 Octopus, Yellow
The R395 is a great spare reg with it’s classic downstream valve for safe, reliable performance due to its robust design and low maintenance, 39-inch hose for convenient alternate air source function with yellow hose protector and yellow regulator cover for easy identification, left & right hose attachments for extra flexibility and comfortable positioning, so you can keep it on whatever side feels is best. The best part about this regulator is it doesn’t free-flow, so no wastage of precious air!!
2. Mares Proton Metal Octopus
The Protons second stage is made of nickel and chrome-plated brass. These materials offer a number of benefits: ruggedness and thinner walls which allow compact dimensions obtained without using smaller-diameter diaphragms; this result in reduced water drag. The second stage ha an anti-freeze function, which is enhanced by the “radiator action” of the metal. he Proton with its Vortex Assist Design (V.A.D.) system: all Mares second stages offer the unique patented VAD system. The air bypass tube conveys air to the mouthpiece creating a swirling vortex with a low pressure area in the center this keeps the diaphragm down during inhalation, giving very sensitive and easy breathing at all depths.
3. Tusa Platina II Octopus, Yellow (SS-20)
The SS-20 safe-second combines the performance of the reliable SS-10 octopus, yet is smaller and allows for both left and right hose configuration. The SS-20 Platina octopus features a large front purge, deflection tube and deflector to reduce exhaust resistance for easier breathing. Equipped with a high visibility yellow housing and 33″ yellow hose. The second stage also features a high density, long lasting silicone mouthpiece.
4. Cressi XS Octopus
The XS features the same lightweight, high performance second stage as the XS Plus and the Airtech. With the Cressi patented Internal Balance Injection System, high performance is insured at all sport diving depths. Additionally featured is a Dive/Pre-dive switch allowing for the fine-tuning of the regulator during use.
5. Oceanic “Swivel” Octopus, Yellow with Magnetic Keeper
Oceanic introduces the perfect combination of magnetic attraction and accessibility with the highly-anticipated octopus Swivel with Magnetic Keeper. This innovative octopus exhibits improved convenience through an extraordinarily easy-to-attach magnetic keeper. No more pinch clips. No more Velcro. No more fumbling. In an emergency, experts advise offering an out of air buddy your primary second stage and using your octopus regulator yourself. As its name implies, the Swivel 180 Degree octopus has a swivel where the low pressure hose attaches to the second stage. But that’s not its only unique feature. Unlike most second stages, the 180 octopus has no up or down and exhausts exhaled bubbles at the side. This means the hose for this breathing machine can come over or under either your left or right shoulder and you’ll still be able to pick up the octopus, put it in your mouth, purge and breathe without stopping to check its orientation.
