“I said I was out-of-air, not asking for a surprise suplex!”
Welcome back to another Teaching Tuesday, where we unpack the lessons learned from the depths, this time, quite literally. Today’s tale is a deep dive into the chaotic comedy that is: out-of-air drills.
If you’ve ever taught or participated in one, you know the scene: flailing arms, wide eyes, a student going full Mortal Kombat just to grab a second stage. Forget graceful buoyancy and calm gas-sharing, this is Octopus Wrestling at its finest.
When Scuba Turns to Smackdown
Let’s set the scene: You’re hovering calmly above the sandy bottom, giving the “out of air” signal. Your student nods. Good. Now signal for them to donate their alternate air source to their buddy.
But instead of a calm, controlled out of air drill, you suddenly find yourself in a slow-motion action sequence. The octo donor lurches forward like a linebacker, wraps their buddy in a half-hug, and shoves a reg in their face like they’re force-feeding a burrito. Meanwhile, the out of air diver looks like they’re both grateful and moderately concussed.
It’s less PADI, more WWE.
Why Regulator Recovery Drills Go Sideways
These mishaps aren’t just entertaining, they’re revealing. As instructors, we sometimes underestimate how foreign these scenarios feel to new divers. In a real out-of-air emergency, the brain doesn’t default to textbook calmness. It screams, “AIR NOW!” and flips into primal mode.
That’s why teaching out-of-air drills well is so important. Done poorly, they induce panic. Done right, they create confident divers who handle stress like pros.
But let’s admit it, there’s always that one out of air story. Here are a few real (and ridiculous) ones:
Tales from the Octo Trenches
1. The Accidental Armbar
An overzealous student mistook “alternate air drill” for “capture the flag” and tried to snatch their buddy’s octo like it was the last slice of pizza at a dive BBQ. Arms locked. Bubbles everywhere. Buddy ended up in a headlock. 10/10 panic, 0/10 technique.
2. Finders Keepers
Student drops their reg and begins a sweep. Instead of doing the textbook arm motion, they go for a full shoulder spin, pirouette once, and grab their buddy’s primary. The buddy now became panicked and grabbed at the other diver’s octo but couldn’t get it out of the keeper so he latched onto it like a baby on his momma. It looked like an eel ball. I almost spat out my reg laughing so hard!
3. Judo Flip for Air
One diver panicked mid-drill and swam through their buddy’s legs to get to the octo that fell behind his buddy. It worked. But so did their buddy’s knee to the mask. Not ideal but very memorable.
How to Teach Reg Recovery Without Inducing a Fight Scene
🔹 1. Slow is Smooth, Smooth is Safe
Teach students to pause, breathe, and think. Emphasize that out-of-air doesn’t mean out-of-options. Reinforce the idea that speed comes from confidence, not chaos.
🔹 2. Demonstrate Like You’re on Camera
Act out the drill with exaggerated calm and elegance. If it looks easy, they’ll believe it is. (Even if your insides are screaming, “Please don’t grab my mask again.”)
🔹 3. Practice Before the Panic
Do dry-runs on the surface or in very shallow water first. Create muscle memory without pressure. Think of it like choreography, less improv, more rehearsed moves.
🔹 4. Use Humor to Diffuse Tension
After the first clumsy attempt, laugh with them. Share a “You think that was bad? Let me tell you about…” story. It builds rapport and eases embarrassment.
🔹 5. Buddy Up with Boundaries
Set expectations. “If someone grabs your primary, stay calm. Don’t punch. That’s frowned upon.” And yes, actually say it like that. It sticks.
Pro Tips for Preventing Underwater Brawls
- Color-code the octo hose and clip it visibly or wear it on a necklace. Visibility reduces grabby panic.
- Remind students: “If you can see it, you can use it. No need to go full ninja.”
- Include stress-management training early and often, slow breathing, eye contact, hand signs.
- Film a practice session (with permission). Reviewing the footage often improves awareness faster than a dozen more drills.
Final Takeaway
Out-of-air drills are critical, but they shouldn’t resemble an episode of Underwater Fight Club. The goal isn’t just to survive a skill; it’s to own it with confidence.
So the next time your student tries a dropkick while donating their octo, just remember: You’re not failing, you’re collecting teachable moments. And great stories.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to ice my jaw from the last drill.
Pro Tip: Tame the Octo Chaos
Want to avoid future underwater wrestling matches? One of the best investments I’ve made as an instructor is switching to bright yellow regulator necklaces like THIS ONE! It keeps the reg secure, visible, and right where you need it during drills (or actual out-of-air situations). This one is similar on the USA site but I use the other one personally.
I’ve got a few of these myself, and they’ve saved more than one student from an impromptu underwater jiu-jitsu session. Highly recommend if you like your regs where you left them.
(Yes, it’s an affiliate link, but it’s also my real go-to. Trust the octo wrestler.)
Until next time, keep your mask clear, your buoyancy dialed in, and your octo donation well outside the WWE rulebook! Teach smart, laugh often, and always expect the unexpected, especially when bubbles are rising and instincts are firing.
Stay safe, stay wet, and have fun!
Angry Octopus Out!
