What is the other option for diving doubles beside bp/w

[Centrals]

The reason I asked because my one of my usual buddy who also wants to do double (because I keep talking about), but he refuse to use switch to a backplate. He currently is using zeagle ranger, and he claim he can make it work for double. So I just want to see if not backplate, what is a legititmate setup.

Zeagle Tec should fit the bill. It can be used for either single or double bladders.
Make sure he puts a crotch strap on it.

 

[eelnoraa]

all fair comments. Let's not turn this into DIR vs non DIR. bp/w vs all other. I simple want to see other options. Persoanlly, I have never seen doubles with non bp/w, although my buddy keep telling me Ranger compatible with doubles.

 

[Centrals]

all fair comments. Let's not turn this into DIR vs non DIR. bp/w vs all other. I simple want to see other options. Persoanlly, I have never seen doubles with non bp/w, although my buddy keep telling me Ranger compatible with doubles.

Zeagle Tec is no longer available. SORRY.
Has the Ranger get those two fitting holes "drilled" on it? What is the capacity of the bladder?

 

[rx7diver]

All double diver I have seen use bp/w setup. Is this a must? Is there other options out there?

Eelnoraa,

As others have pointed out, the Scubapro Classic Stabilizing Jacket BCD works quite well with doubles. I, myself, have worn mine with double HP 80's and double Al 80's, albeit a long time ago. Take a look at this PowerPoint presentation:

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=we​b&cd=1&ved=0CBQQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fww​w.nasa-klass.com%2FCurriculum%2FGet_Orie​nted 2%2FSolid Rocket Booste​rs%2FPRES_SRB.ppt&rct=j&q=STS-102+booste​r&ei=GdhuTduGOMe2tgfGzODuDg&usg=AFQjCNGXn​nNefD3EUATiYYkqG1_gJQW77A&sig2=qECjcL4wS​Dc0CHdWpR13xw.

The last slide shows the videographer wearing doubles with what appears to be a SSJ.

Safe Diving,

Ronald

P.S. I have no idea how the SSJ would work with very negative steel doubles, though.

 

[ae3753]

It's possible to use a Zeagle Ranger with doubles. Requires mounting plates (Mounting Plates - Twin Tank Attachments - BC Accessories - Zeagle Dive Systems) and mounts similar to TransPac for doubles.

 

[beanojones]

P.S. I have no idea how the SSJ would work with very negative steel doubles, though.

It worked out better than you might think. I had an old back inflate SP pinched in the backplate for backup buoyancy, and other than the fact that diving un matched independent doubles is a pain in the butt, it was fun.

 

[DaleC]

As has been mentioned IMHO the only legitimate alternative is sidemount.

What does that even mean?

Originally, divers dove doubles with a simple harness attached to the bands themselves and nothing else; bouyancy was achieved by careful weighting (FlashBack Scuba's collection).

Early BC's such as the horsecollar were successfully added to this simple set up.

Next simple backplates were added to the bands (no, surprisingly, these were not invented by cave divers), these were sometimes DIY'ed out of plywood or commercially made from fiberglass, aluminum or plastic.

Here we compare an ABS backpack with a SS backplate

In the 60's and 70's a lot of systems were developed to contain doubles in a "package" (Flashback Scuba's collection).


Besides Manifolded doubles, independant twins and sidemount tanks, divers can also increase their gas capacity by slinging a large stage.


We should try to remember our own history, even if we don't currently dive it.

 

[turnerjd]

P.S. I have no idea how the SSJ would work with very negative steel doubles, though.

Very well, especially if you dive dry. I have done an old SP Master jacket with twin steel 10Ls (can't remember what that is is US measures) and it was nice to get a bit of weight off my belt, and the jacket remained confortable, and the cylinders stayed still on my back.

I really don't understand why people are so fixated on the BP/W thing. As DaleC points out, we started many years ago with simple harness attached to our cylinders, then had "backpacks", then backpacks with a horse collar, then BCDs. Most BCDs, except modern lightweight travel ones, still have a BP in them.

My SP jacket has a packplate as part of it. The only difference with a BP/W is where the bladder is located, it's a wing held between the two halves on the BP, keeping the inflation between the wearers back and the cylinders. In my SP jacket its a jacket held between the two halves of the BP, with the air distributed around the upper torso.

Now, I dive in a drysuit, and use this for all my U/W buoyancy control. The only time I use the BCD is on the surface, and with nearly empty steel tanks on my back there is not much pull backwards at the surface from these tanks, and I feel, very little need to place the bladder closer to the tanks, however, for some people this is a problem, and they move the bladder. Fine.

As beanojones points out, you can always add a wing there too. I have done this too (photo on my profile), simply because under certain conditions my SP Master jacket doesn't have enough lift incase I flood my drysuit, but it is hardly ever used.

Each to their own I suppose.

Jon

 

[RTee]

It's possible to use a Zeagle Ranger with doubles. Requires mounting plates (Mounting Plates - Twin Tank Attachments - BC Accessories - Zeagle Dive Systems) and mounts similar to TransPac for doubles.

It does. I think the maximum rating for doubles is 2 X 100cft tanks. I looked at it Ranger/Ranger limited about two years ago and then opted for BP/W instead. I have a friend who dives the Ranger and he loves it. Not sure he has used it with doubles though but as pointed out, it can be adapted to do so

 

[Dr Wu]

Most bp/w, long hose .... diver I have seem ended up going into tech/cave route. To many, including this buddy of mine, they think this setup is for advanced/tech/cave diving. They don't see the need of using the same equipment, which to them is old school, not featured enough especially for the $$, ugly ....

And you are both incorrect.



Your friend has proven he is keen on remaining ignorant.

Why bother trying to change that when you agree with him?