If you use one of the regulator hose routing techniques that has a hose that is more than a couple of feet long, most notably the "Long Hose" method, you need a way to keep the hose streamlined so it is not a flappy snag hazard. Since the Long Hose method is most often associated with technical diving it is usually paired with a Canister Light on the right hip. The long hose comes off the first stage and is routed behind the divers right shoulder and under the arm to hip level, it goes underneath the bottom of the canister and then it crosses in front of the diver's chest to the left shoulder, around the back of the head and then into the mouth from the right shoulder area. It is the turn from the right hip to across the body to the left shoulder that needs wrangling.If you are not going to have/use a Canister Light then what options do you have?
- Tuck the hose under the waist belt - certainly effective but not optimal for Out of Air donation procedures
- Tuck the hose under a belt knife - I don't want a belt knife that far back on my waist
- Use a Hose Stick - mimic the canister light
What is a Hose Stick?
It is a piece of plastic, delron, metal or some other material that threads onto your 2" waist belt and mimics the attributes of the canister light in that it gives a place to "hook" the hose under and yet the hose can be "unhooked" easily if needed. There are several ways to keep the stick in place, however the one that is also used with the Canister Light works just as well...which is a spare buckle. You can thread the canister light or the hose stick on/off your waist belt quickly and easily as needed.
You can purchase them from brands such as Halcyon and Apex or you can even 3D print them if you are so inclined.