The Octafree is inserted into the top of the oboe. From here the water can now be silently sucked out while the instrument remains assembled.
The Octafree is ideal in particularly critical situations, e.g. live broadcasts, radio recordings, or a colleague's solo – wherever extraneous sounds would be disruptive.
Thanks to the durable silicone seal, water can be removed directly from the octave valves. This way the pads stay dry, and the moisture is absorbed by the filter.