One of the first things taught in diver training is how to share air in an emergency situation. And although it is taught in scuba training, all divers of all levels must practice it ad nauseam. A diver without air may not get a second chance if the diver and dive buddy are not prepared for an emergency. It’s all in your name, second (safe) diving regulators. It will be a good waste of money if a diver never has to use it. On the other hand, it will be the best money a diver has ever spent if it saves the life of the diver or, more importantly, a fellow diver. It could be argued that safe second dive regulators are the most important piece of a diver’s scuba equipment.
When shopping for second insurance, don’t confuse cheap with inexpensive. It is not a good idea to buy a second used safe on eBay or to use a second hand one. A diver in an airless situation is stressful enough without exasperating the problem with a failed second safety as well. A diver expects to never use the second safety, but if a diver needs to use the second safety, it should work without failure. After reading various reviews of safe second (alternative air) regulators for scuba, well-known brands such as XS Scuba, Sherwood, TUSA, ScubaPro, and others, it all comes down to ease of use, comfort, and price. They are all good, to say the least, and most importantly, they are all high-quality, safe scuba regulators at comparable prices. Some have a mouthpiece that can rotate up to 90 degrees for comfort and ease of use, and other variations. It’s really what every diver needs or doesn’t need. Safety-wise, you can’t go wrong buying any of them.
Every diver has to buy the right scuba regulator for himself and his needs. The second most dangerous insurance is the one that a diver needs and does not have connected to his buoyancy compensator (bcd). If a diver logs enough dives over a period of years, it is a safe bet that an airless situation will occur and every diver should be prepared for it. Don’t be the diver who didn’t have a safe second regulator to dive with. Buy one today and the life you save could be yours.