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John,

I use a non-breakable neckstrap, with a heavy thickness O-ring that
the regulator mouthpiece goes thru.  Thus, if my partner needs/wants
the second stage, a stiff jerk will pop it free, but it stays right
under my chin for the rest of the time (neck strap is/was adjusted so
that I can get the regulator mouthpiece into my mouth without using
my hands - just duck my head and grab the mouthpiece with my teeth).
Regulator second stage is a Poseidon Cyklon, so it is easy to 
position with the mouthpiece pointing up towards my chin.   Also,
having no correct right side up, it can be used/positioned over
either the right or left shoulder.

As to color coding of regulators, I have seen this fail.  I am a firm
believer in different style second stages for different gases.  
ie, Poseidon Cyklons for deep mix, Sherwood Magnum for oxygen, and
Poseidon Odin for intermediate mixes.

The "hot mixes" that would be dangerous to breathe at depth, we place
the second stages into plastic bags, and thus have to tear or remove
the bag before we can breathe on the regulator. This extra step does
not take more than an extra couple of seconds, and there is no 
question that you have a "hot" mix regulator in your hands.  Many
also put a broad rubberband around the regulator and over the mouthpiece
orifice that also needs to be removed before breathing off the second
stage on the 100% oxgyen reg.  Again, requires a couple of seconds, but
really should not be critical in deploying for decompression.  If it can
keep a diver from breathing on a hyperoxic mix at depth, it has achieved
what we intended.



Take care and safe diving -

John

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