Channukah and the Desert

There is a well known question as to why the miracle of Channukah is celebrated 8 days (instead of 7) if there was enough oil for 1 full day (in fact, there is an entire book providing 101 answers). One of the answers is that the oil was not all poured the first day; knowing they needed 8 days worth, the Kohanim decided to dole out 1/8 of the oil each day. The fact that the 1/8th lasted for the whole zman made even the first day a miracle. The question of whether the Kohanim should have only put in an eighth that first day is the same issue discussed by the machloket between Rabbi Akiva and Ben Petura concerning limited water for 2 in the desert. Ben Petura who felt the 2 should split the water, relying on HKB"H to make sure the fraction lasts the day would tell the Kohanim to only use 1/8 each day. Rabbi Akiva who felt we can't rely on a miracle and therefore we need to do what is certain, even if not ideal, would have told the Kohanim to use it all the first night to ensure there was at least 1 full day.