I think you need to remember that kit configurations are often group/enviroment or regionally specific.
I don't dive UK caves. But the majority of those that do still use Cyclon's on side slung rigs. Back mounting isn't viable because there is insufficient space in a lot of the sumps and the vis is often zero. That is different to diving cenotes, where you have space and clear water. The equipment (and procedures) are environment specific.
I used to dive with a group out of London. Everyone dived twinsets, + stages, or CCR. That was group specific, primary donate was no issue in the group. Kit configuration was pretty similar across the group. It was self-forfilling.
I do a lot of branch diving these days, so the variation in kit is noticeable. All the more experienced divers have a minimum of a pony, probably a twinset. The newer divers, the more traditional single cylinder and octopus.
I also do a lot of 'guest' diving, taking spaces off other groups, huge variation in kit types on configurations.
When I started in the 90's, AIR2's where reasonably common, they had basically fallen out of favour by the 2000's. Where you do occasionally see them is with divers who rig the pony as an AAS, and remove the Octopus - but that is very rare these days.
If I go to 'warm water' environments, the number of pony's and twinsets are noticeably low, also a noticeable lack of people carrying DSMB's.
One issue the BSAC has that GUE do not, is they have a huge diversity in both experience, interest and kit types.
The ratio of CCR divers is still growing, I seldom get on a boat without seeing at least 1 other CCR. I went through one season of diving almost every trip was a minimum of 2 Inspirations, 2 Sentinals, and a Kiss, although the last couple of years its been mostly one other CCR.
Last year only half the boat would have been 'traditional' single cylinder and octopus. The rest twins/CCR/pony.
A friend of mine dives mostly DIR, but seldom dives with anyone other than DIR divings. Other than with me occasionally if we have a space. Which is even more amusing because he's very DIR, and I'm on a CCR.
This forum is very USA centric (not a problem, but a truth). Also, by definition, more experienced divers, i.e. those who are keen, probably been diving a while, and have their own kit.
At one time, if you looked at the rebreather forum's, you would think everyone made their own rebreathers.
I don't dive UK caves. But the majority of those that do still use Cyclon's on side slung rigs. Back mounting isn't viable because there is insufficient space in a lot of the sumps and the vis is often zero. That is different to diving cenotes, where you have space and clear water. The equipment (and procedures) are environment specific.
I used to dive with a group out of London. Everyone dived twinsets, + stages, or CCR. That was group specific, primary donate was no issue in the group. Kit configuration was pretty similar across the group. It was self-forfilling.
I do a lot of branch diving these days, so the variation in kit is noticeable. All the more experienced divers have a minimum of a pony, probably a twinset. The newer divers, the more traditional single cylinder and octopus.
I also do a lot of 'guest' diving, taking spaces off other groups, huge variation in kit types on configurations.
When I started in the 90's, AIR2's where reasonably common, they had basically fallen out of favour by the 2000's. Where you do occasionally see them is with divers who rig the pony as an AAS, and remove the Octopus - but that is very rare these days.
If I go to 'warm water' environments, the number of pony's and twinsets are noticeably low, also a noticeable lack of people carrying DSMB's.
One issue the BSAC has that GUE do not, is they have a huge diversity in both experience, interest and kit types.
The ratio of CCR divers is still growing, I seldom get on a boat without seeing at least 1 other CCR. I went through one season of diving almost every trip was a minimum of 2 Inspirations, 2 Sentinals, and a Kiss, although the last couple of years its been mostly one other CCR.
Last year only half the boat would have been 'traditional' single cylinder and octopus. The rest twins/CCR/pony.
A friend of mine dives mostly DIR, but seldom dives with anyone other than DIR divings. Other than with me occasionally if we have a space. Which is even more amusing because he's very DIR, and I'm on a CCR.
This forum is very USA centric (not a problem, but a truth). Also, by definition, more experienced divers, i.e. those who are keen, probably been diving a while, and have their own kit.
At one time, if you looked at the rebreather forum's, you would think everyone made their own rebreathers.