Independent Doubles

[Clernix]

Hola~ I am heading to out in a couple weeks. The shop I am using only has 80's but I will burn that in about 30mins. I am an older bigger guy so air consumption is higher. If I can get a 100 or even better a 120 then I am gtg.

Anyway, I would really like to use this shop. I was watching a YouTube video where a tech puts together set of 80's as Independent Doubles on a backplate/wing. So two complete regulator set ups. The local dive shop did insist on a octo on each regulator.

Has anyone ever set something like this up?

 

[tursiops]

Not sure what your question is. Sure, independent doubles is not unusual, although these days they are more commonly worn as sidemount than as backmount. Extra oct on each? Not a big deal.
Where will you be diving with his gear? You say "heading out" but that is not too informative. Shore dives? Boat dives? It makes a difference in how you mange your gear.

 

[sea_ledford]

I would skip that plan if they are insisting on full primary and back up second stages for each tank. It wold be a mess.

How about taking a 40 with you as a stage bottle? Or just slinging an 80, or would they still require 4 second stages?
You didn't say where you are going, but there might be other shops that would be more accommodating, and may have larger tanks available or for rent that would solve the problem altogether.

 

[tursiops]

I would skip that plan if they are insisting on full primary and back up second stages for each tank. It wold be a mess.

How about taking a 40 with you as a stage bottle? Or just slinging an 80, or would they still require 4 second stages?
You didn't say where you are going, but there might be other shops that would be more accommodating, and may have larger tanks available or for rent that would solve the problem altogether.

I suspect the shop is worried about his buddy not having a viable gas source if one of his tanks should fail. Wheter they two tanks are on his back or on his side or one is slung, he should probably learn how to breathe from them both alternatiely so the tank with the octo keeps enough gas in it for a buddy, just in case.

 

[Clernix]

I guess side mounts are independent doubles never thought of it that way. I am going to Sangalaki. There are not many shops on the island and I have a comfort level with Scuba Junkie.

If I used side mounts though they wanted a cert. I can't get it in the area here so sidemounts were a no go.

I had just never heard of this type of set up and was asking for feedback

 

[tursiops]

Slinging a 40 or an 80 would seem to be your best bet. it is most like what you are used to.
Breath the back-tank down to 2000, then the slung tank down to 2000, then the back to 1000, then the slung tank to 1000, then the back tank to 500, then the slung tank to 500. or some such strategy. The point is to keep sufficient gas in the tank with the octo (on your back) so your buddy has gas if needed. You will still need a first and second stage with SPG to put on the slung tank.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

I used independent doubles a long time ago. I still have the big heavy brass mounting brackets if you want them. You would need four sets of cam bands though.
You don't need four second stages. On your right side you have a regular primary/octo set up just like a single, and on your left side just one second stage that you breathe off intermittently to draw the tank down, and it would be like having a pony. Run your LP inflator hose off the left side too.
If your buddy goes OOA then you treat your right tank as the main bailout tank. You also have the option to give your buddy the right tank and you can switch to your left tank.
It's not an ideal system since there's more clutter and two SPG's, but better than nothing.

 

[FF / EMT]

Why not just do an intro to doubles class or tech intro? That way your instructor can make sure you have the correct gear, you can learn the valve procedures and OOG procedures, and you’ll be a little more competent in the water (hopefully).

 

[MB NZ]

I dived indies for years. They serve a purpose. Feels like there is less hostility towards them since sidemount has become popular. Four second stages? No, that's a mess. Two is enough. No getting around two SPG. A second stage with a left hand hose on the left cylinder tidies things up a bit and there is less chance of muddling things up.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

Why not just do an intro to doubles class or tech intro? That way your instructor can make sure you have the correct gear, you can learn the valve procedures and OOG procedures, and you’ll be a little more competent in the water (hopefully).

I think where he's going they don't have proper doubles set up, they only offer single 80's so that's why he's trying to figure out how to get more air with what they have.