What it is. The hose configuration used by technical and cave divers everywhere, and by a growing number of recreational divers: a long hose (usually 7 ft, sometimes 5 ft for single-tank recreational diving) on your primary regulator, routed down your right side, across your chest and around the back of your neck; a short hose (about 22 in) on the backup regulator, which hangs on a bungee necklace under your chin; a 24 in high-pressure hose to a small brass and glass SPG clipped to your left hip; and a 22 in inflator hose.

Why divers want it. In an out-of-air situation you donate the regulator in your mouth, which you know is working, and switch to the backup under your chin without looking for it. The long hose gives a buddy enough room to swim beside or behind you, which matters in a swim-through or on a line. Everything is tucked in, nothing dangles, and the gear is laid out the same way every dive, so your hands find things without your eyes. It is also the standard most tech courses (ours included) expect you to arrive with.

Good to know. This is a hose change, not a regulator change; your existing first and second stages work fine. We usually swap the primary and octo so your best-breathing second stage is the one on the long hose, and add a necklace and SPG if you don’t already have them. If you dive sidemount, or you are not sure what lengths you need, tell us how you dive and we’ll propose a set.

What we’ll ask you. Single tank or doubles, long-hose length, braided or rubber, colours, and whether you want the necklace and SPG as part of the same job.

Interested? Tick it on the equipment service request when you send your gear in. Nothing on that list is added to your estimate; we confirm the details and the price with you by email before anything is fitted or charged. Questions: service@ecdivers.com or 617-277-2216.