MScorpa
Registered
What a great thread! I love when experienced divers get to bickering as to why 'thier' way is the better way...seriously. It brings up a lot of very good points and insights that may not have occured to some people.
Personally, I constructed a distribution manifold (like the old z-system) when I first started sidemounting. It actually did work extremely well! Just plug in the tanks and go. The newer isolation manifold resolves one of the key potential problems with my rig. It was nice to have everything in its place. I think it gave me a good sense of comfortability and familiarity while transitioning from backmount to sidemount.
The reason I stopped using it is because it was a much heavier rig for traveling and took up more space with the additional hoses etc. I also prefer to dive as minimalistic as possible and lets face it, this just isn't the rig for a minimalist. I didn't like the fact that I had to turn the tanks off as I was breathing them down, I like my air on and available at all times. I also pondered if a panicking out-of-air diver did come to me I could just give him a tank and send him on his way, not possible with the z-system.
As previously mentioned, it's training and comfortability in the water that is key in an emergency situation. My instructor used to say, "It doesn't matter what happens to you, because things will happen, it's how you deal with it." If you are diving with someone in a tight cave with zero vis and you run out of air, you'd better be familiar enough with your buddy's equipment beforehand to handle that situation. It shouldn't make a difference how he has his rig set up.
Personally, I constructed a distribution manifold (like the old z-system) when I first started sidemounting. It actually did work extremely well! Just plug in the tanks and go. The newer isolation manifold resolves one of the key potential problems with my rig. It was nice to have everything in its place. I think it gave me a good sense of comfortability and familiarity while transitioning from backmount to sidemount.
The reason I stopped using it is because it was a much heavier rig for traveling and took up more space with the additional hoses etc. I also prefer to dive as minimalistic as possible and lets face it, this just isn't the rig for a minimalist. I didn't like the fact that I had to turn the tanks off as I was breathing them down, I like my air on and available at all times. I also pondered if a panicking out-of-air diver did come to me I could just give him a tank and send him on his way, not possible with the z-system.
As previously mentioned, it's training and comfortability in the water that is key in an emergency situation. My instructor used to say, "It doesn't matter what happens to you, because things will happen, it's how you deal with it." If you are diving with someone in a tight cave with zero vis and you run out of air, you'd better be familiar enough with your buddy's equipment beforehand to handle that situation. It shouldn't make a difference how he has his rig set up.