Tank handle or no tank handle

[wetb4igetinthewater]

Think outside the box... Make a T-handle and some cord to slip over/around the valve (like the old school ski boot carrier)... it is removable. I also like the XS Scuba Carry Sling with a handle (carries horizontal)...

YMMV

The handles that attach to the neck also allow me to not have to shrug my shoulders when I carry cylinders. Holding the valves, I often have to (as I dive sidemount typically and no, I don't put handles on them for obvious reasons - just a single tank configuration which I rarely dive). Your idea, which does have merit, would probably be worse for me.

 

[aldertyler]

My initial thought when looking at tank handles is that they look like an entanglement hazard.
Are they actually a serious enough entanglement hazard to worry about? I don't know.
I do know that carrying my tanks by the valve eventually becomes uncomfortable.
Is it uncomfortable enough for me to buy a bunch of handles? Probably not.
Obviously this discussion is in regards to single tank diving, so when diving doubles this is a non issue.

 

[Ana]

I like my handles very much, just as much as the orange knobs. So far they haven't been a source of entanglements.
I carried tanks without handles for several decades, I tried crappy handles and went back to no handles....then I saw this more solid ones and like them. I'll keep using them.
I do me, you do you. One way is not intrinsically better that the other, is simply preference.

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

My initial thought when looking at tank handles is that they look like an entanglement hazard.

Entanglement to what exactly? Given we are talking about single tank configurations, and therefore non overhead, with the rounded handle, I don't see what it would catch on. Not being argumentative, but just curious.

 

[Fibonacci]

No handles on any of my tanks except the 15L Faber steels...
They are really hard on the hands to carry via the valve when full so a fixed handle on each of them!

 

[aldertyler]

Entanglement to what exactly? Given we are talking about single tank configurations, and therefore non overhead, with the rounded handle, I don't see what it would catch on. Not being argumentative, but just curious.

Entanglement to what exactly? Given we are talking about single tank configurations, and therefore non overhead, with the rounded handle, I don't see what it would catch on. Not being argumentative, but just curious.

I don't know if they actually do present any entanglement hazard or not(that's just my initial impression when seeing something extra protruding from a tank). I don't use them myself, and I don't dive with anyone who does, so I don't have any first hand experience with regards to how they change the profile of the tank or whether there is anything that could catch a piece of monofilament or whatever. That's why I said that I don't know whether it's actually worth worrying about.
For all I know, they may be the best thing since sliced bread. I've never used them so I don't know.
I do know that not using them leaves one knuckle on each hand a little sore when carrying a tank in each hand by the valve.

 

[happy-diver]

The one that comes with a Sherpa, then he can look like a shuffling awkward mess carrying two tanks

 

[Marie13]

Tank handle? Isn't that what a BCD is for?

That’s what one of those collapsible folding carts is for. Why carry stuff when you don’t have to? Except for my doubles. I move those on my back. Much safer that way.

 

[stepfen]

I didn't vote as there is no option for my preferred handle.
I find these work the best:

Preferably made by Shearwater. A bit on the expensive side but, they do the job perfectly!

 

[Storker]

Tank handle? Isn't that what a BCD is for?

Well, I for one think it's a bit overkill to mount the BCD just to take my tanks for a fill. Or to load them in the trunk to drive to the site. Besides, I've got only one BCD and more than one tank.