Routing an SPG along the shoulder webbing

[Guy Alcala]

BTW, there is nothing shameful or "newby-ish" about checking your gauge. I was taught to do it every five minutes in my cave class, and to make mental notes of time, depth, prominent cave features and GAS at regular intervals.

I admit that, after some time, you have a good sense of how much gas you use at any given depth, and a good sense of whether you are diving normally or under increased stress. And I'll also admit to having gotten into very sloppy habits as a result of that, combined with the fact that I usually dive with stupid amounts of gas for the dive I'm doing (rarely go below a half tank anywhere). But it is still good practice to check one's gauge regularly.

While I always predict my gas, I also look at the gauge fairly frequently. Depending on the nature of the dive, the interval may be anywhere from every 15-20 minutes to every minute or two, the interval shortening as I approach turn around pressure.

On another subject, just how 'buried' is the SPG when you're using stage/deco bottles? One of the things I can never understand is the whole 'unclip it to look at it' shtick. I use a mask (Atomic Frameless) with a 50 degree downward look angle that eliminates any need for me to waste the time and effort to unclip my SPG to read it, then re-clip it; I can do it if I have to, but why make work for myself? There are plenty of other masks out there now with downward look angles that approach or equal that, so (never having used stage/deco bottles) how hard is it to keep the back gas SPG exposed to view in that situation?

Guy

 

[caseybird]

I'd ask the question, why does it need to be read at all?

A normal, non-deco dive... if I look at my SPG twice, I'd be surprised. On a bigger deco dive, maybe three times

Do you really teach your students not to check their SPG's? Really?

 

[sambolino44]

I have to say that unclipping and re-clipping the SPG has gotten easier with practice.

Oh, and thanks for reminding me that I have to go change out the O-rings on my SPG spool!

 

[Blackwood]

So you just reach over the bottles and underneath?

I reach behind them and push them out (if necessary).


Can you reach your rear dump? It's nearly the same.

 

[Trace Malinowski]

BTW, there is nothing shameful or "newby-ish" about checking your gauge. I was taught to do it every five minutes in my cave class, and to make mental notes of time, depth, prominent cave features and GAS at regular intervals.

I admit that, after some time, you have a good sense of how much gas you use at any given depth, and a good sense of whether you are diving normally or under increased stress. And I'll also admit to having gotten into very sloppy habits as a result of that, combined with the fact that I usually dive with stupid amounts of gas for the dive I'm doing (rarely go below a half tank anywhere). But it is still good practice to check one's gauge regularly.

When diving in overhead environments, or when diving deep, it is an excellent idea to check your gauge frequently. The tool is there and that tool is something upon which you are staking your buddy's life and not just your own. Yes, it is important to have a good sense of your consumption, but when you start thinking you are "better than that" when it comes to pressure checks, you are placing ego in front of discipline and safety.

 

[Trace Malinowski]

My cave instructor routes his SPG down the inflator hose. Seems to work out OK for him.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

Jim Wyatt's new configuration, from a streamline standpoint, is incredibly slick with well thought-out hose routing for his philosophy and needs.

Also, if you get a chance, check out Bill "Hogarth" Main's current rig.

 

[Underwater Ogre]

Can anyone tell me the advantage of having my SPG on my hip?...to the way Dale has described? I am diving open ocean and don't wreck or cave dive. I might do the occasional swim-thru a wreck but very conservative. Oh...I do sling a 46LP occasionally also.
I have been having this debate in my wee brain...can anyone give me a valid reason?? I haven't really read one in this thread.

Sorry for the hijack Dale...I owe you a mug!
Thanks,
U/O

 

[Trace Malinowski]

Can anyone tell me the advantage of having my SPG on my hip?...to the way Dale has described? I am diving open ocean and don't wreck or cave dive. I might do the occasional swim-thru a wreck but very conservative. Oh...I do sling a 46LP occasionally also.
I have been having this debate in my wee brain...can anyone give me a valid reason?? I haven't really read one in this thread.

Sorry for the hijack Dale...I owe you a mug!
Thanks,
U/O

1. Given the two positions frequently mentioned in this thread, hip vs. along the corrugated wing inflator hose, if my SPG were to start leaking from the O-ring, I'd rather have it bubbling away at the hip rather than in front of my face.

2. It's out of the way and streamlined.

3. If you had a stage or two clipped to the left side, glancing at the backgas SPG located near your chest may be confused with the SPGs of the deco bottles.

4. Personal preference.

 

[Underwater Ogre]

1. Given the two positions frequently mentioned in this thread, hip vs. along the corrugated wing inflator hose, if my SPG were to start leaking from the O-ring, I'd rather have it bubbling away at the hip rather than in front of my face.

2. It's out of the way and streamlined.

3. If you had a stage or two clipped to the left side, glancing at the backgas SPG located near your chest may be confused with the SPGs of the deco bottles.

4. Personal preference.

Still doesn't quite hook me into it. I like being able to turn my head and see my SPG. I still cant figure out why I would want to have it that far out the way. I use different types of SPG for my slings so I dont think there's a confusion problem.

I think your right its a personal preference. Thanks for the reply.

 

[Gombessa]

Still doesn't quite hook me into it. I like being able to turn my head and see my SPG. I still cant figure out why I would want to have it that far out the way. I use different types of SPG for my slings so I dont think there's a confusion problem.

UO, if most of what you do is OW recreational dives, occasionally with a slung pony, there's a lot of variation off the "standard" hogarthian setup that makes little effective difference. You dive, you do what works, and everything turns out fine. I think the really strong-voiced proponents of having a particular piece of gear one way or another advocate as such because they tend to do dives that require more complex gear setups, additional procedures, potential for confusion, etc., and when you do go down that route, the benefits become more apparent. Whether that's relevant for you and how you want to dive is just a choice for you to make.