My "new" independent doubles setup

[Wibble]

Just read they found a rebreather diver face down, downunder.

I say this I'll feel a lot safer diving that rig than I would diving a rebreather. Those darn things will put a diver to sleep!

You can’t breathe water. Other, possibly medical, factors frequently have a bearing on diving incidents.

 

[happy-diver]

I don't like slung tanks to begin with, very rarely do it, avoid when I can. SM was more like that then I could stand.

Ha ha ha ha ha, like towing a trailer with a rope, ha ha ha ha ha!

 

[AfterDark]

I'm pretty certain everyone who dives side-mount, and plenty of technical-divers have zero problem with regulator switching at any depth.

In fact, I'd recommend people switch regulators more often. We all learn how to do it in our initial open-water class. By doing it semi-frequently, you'll be more practiced, know your regulators are properly stored/retained, and know they both work well (including at depth). It's a really easy skill, though I'd say if someone hasn't practiced it in a while, do some practice at the surface, face down, switching regulators.

The "DM" was apparently not familiar with independent doubles. The ignorance of other divers isn't a reason for me to change my kit. I simply mean "ignorance" according to it's definition, and not an insult, we were all ignorant about everything scuba at some point. The one caveat to the above, is that you need to ensure your dive-buddy is familiar enough with your system in order to air-share.

Anyway, the setup is clever, and interesting. I don't hate it, though I don't think I'd dive it myself, just because I've gotten into side-mount. For the general public, I'd recommend just going with two independent regulator-sets (side or back-mount), and switching, if you want fully independent redundant air and more air. Or manifolded doubles, if you just want more air. Or a pony-bottle if you only need redundant air.

I never posted I had a problem switching regs I can do it my sleep. I posted that switches has a "drawback" in quotes. Why in quotes? Because I don't believe switches regs is really a drawback.

After 30 years of diving the same ID configuration I decided to try something different because, well I get bored and I have a lot of time on my hands and I can. So I last year around this time the idea came to me and I had one of the only type regulators ever made that could do it. So why not? The basic setup is sound, everything but the AIR is proven over many years of use so again I asked myself why not? I sent the AIR to be serviced because it had a slight free flow and the AIR looks to intimidating to me for DIY service. It looks to me the difference between servicing a 109/156 and an AIR is like the difference between servicing an abacus and a computer. I know my limitations.
More important than knowing what one can do, is knowing what one cannot do, that's what keeps ya alive.

 

[AfterDark]

Yes.


Yes.
For non-primary regs that are supposed to be turned off and forgotten about and not really supposed to be breathed through.


Breath through a high performance reg at 100ft/30M. Then breath through a complete POS at 100ft/30M. Now put one of those shutoffs on your high performance reg... and you've turned it into a POS.
Sure, the POS will deliver gas. But it will suck. Literally. And increase work of breathing and, consequently, CO2 loading.


More o-rings = more failure points. Doesn't matter if it's made by this brand or that brand or how many directions it swivels.

After 53 years and 2000+ dives the next in water failure with any piece of my gear will be the first, and I'll be ready to handle it. You don't need concern yourself with my endeavors but thanks.

I don't know what you are talking about concerning inlines and reg performance. After 5 years of using those inlines I've noticed no difference in performance on any reg I use inlines on.

This reminds of the failure rate of inlines and retractors that others have made up. Do you have evidence from tests on reg with and without inlines? I have yet to see one bit evidence or proof of any failure rates or reduced performance of reg concerning for inlines and now reduced performance, just a lot of posting. Where's the proof? Show me the data, I deal in facts.

 

[Open Ocean Diver]

I was thinking a small manifold with two switches bolt snapped to your d ring and single hose to your reg, maybe help with less pull on your regulator and maybe easier to operate the switches. My two cents…

 

[oya]

“I’ve never seen a failure: ergo failures don’t exist.”

Yep. Logic seems airtight.

 

[James79]

“I’ve never seen a failure: ergo failures don’t exist.”

Yep. Logic seems airtight.

He actually states that he will be ready to handle it if it happens... not that failures don't exist.
He also asked if there is any data to back up what you state as fact.... seems a reasonable question that you chose not to answer. I'm actually quite curious if there is any data on inline shutoff failure rates, and if they have a measurable impact on flow rates (and if so, if it is a functionally noticeable difference. i.e. modern piston regs have more max flow capacity than tank valves... a reduction in that could happen with it still not being the weak point in a system and therefore not be a functionally noticeable effect.).

Respectfully,

James

 

[AfterDark]

“I’ve never seen a failure: ergo failures don’t exist.”

Yep. Logic seems airtight.

Didn't post I've never seen a failure. Don't make claims without facts please.

I've seen tons of failures had two rescues for 2 different divers that had equipment failure. I've had out of water failures. I had a in water failure with a regulator not my own.

Thanks for playing but you speak from ignorance of my diving history, experience and abilities so your post has the same hollow ring that many others have to me. Show me some facts......please.

He actually states that he will be ready to handle it if it happens... not that failures don't exist.
He also asked if there is any data to back up what you state as fact.... seems a reasonable question that you chose not to answer. I'm actually quite curious if there is any data on inline shutoff failure rates, and if they have a measurable impact on flow rates (and if so, if it is a functionally noticeable difference. i.e. modern piston regs have more max flow capacity than tank valves... a reduction in that could happen with it still not being the weak point in a system and therefore not be a functionally noticeable effect.).

Respectfully,

James

Don't confuse this poster with facts James it will do no good. It would be like me trying to befriend a KKK member it ain't going to work, too much bias. Also there is no data I could find on inline switch failures. I researched it before I bought my 1st one in ?2013-14 and after a year of diving and probably 50+ dives using the inline, elbow, and a OVR on the 1st stage. I was happy with it's performance and reliability so I bought 2 more. It's been 5 years and many, many dives using them and here I am alive and well still holding my zero in water failure record.

But who cares all that diving means nothing, why? BIAS.

The only regulator the doesn't sport a inline switch is my double hose, but the 156 on the LP has one.

 

[AfterDark]

I was thinking a small manifold with two switches bolt snapped to your d ring and single hose to your reg, maybe help with less pull on your regulator and maybe easier to operate the switches. My two cents…

Thank you, but unless I find an issue with the proposed setup it'll stay pretty much the way it is there could be small changes but since I've been using the basic setup so long I hesitate to stray too far from it with gear I haven't proven. That's why later today I'm taking the AIR for a dive as my primary on a single tank setup to make sure it works. If it does next week some nice day I'll setup the IDs and dive'em.

 

[oya]

you speak from ignorance of my diving history, experience and abilities

If you are so inclined, you might consider meditating on the irony of this sentence.