Apeks DS4 with a double bladder BCD

[PfcAJ]

Lp steel

 

[ianr33]

Its lifted me with full 104s before...

Same here. Managed to completely unscrew my dump valve in a restriction.

 

[PfcAJ]

Sounds like a sporty restriction. I like it!

 

[Ragnar]

Sorry but a drysuit is NOT a lifting device

Normally,no, but it is with a wing failure......however if you want triple redundancy there is nothing wrong at all with using another bottle for drysuit inflation.

 

[DevonDiver]

You could, but there is really no need for dual bladders and a drysuit. .

Here's what I did;

1) If necessary/not already, convert the drysuit inflator to a Sitek valve (so it matches the regular LPI connection).

2) Set up the wing as per 5 hoses (Long, Short, SPG, LPI and drysuit). Note: drysuit and LPI are identical type hoses.

3) Route the drysuit hose around the right side of the torso. You may need to re-orientate the drysuit inflator intake to the right side also.

4) Bungee the Redundant LPI to the drysuit hose (in position, but not connected).

Thus, you start the dive as per normal, controlling buoyancy on your primary LPI (right hand valve) and your drysuit with a dedicated hose (left hand LPI).

If you had a primary bladder failure, or gas loss from the right cylinder/valve - you could opt to ascend using the drysuit. If too heavy, you can disconnect the drysuit hose and plug it directly into the redundant LPI... so that you can use the redundant bladder for ascent instead.

As others have said, you don't need both a drysuit and redundant bladder for contingency ascents. If you are ascending only (which should be the case after a kit failure on a tech dive) then you no longer need to add air to the drysuit. Thus, you switch that inflator hose from the drysuit to the redundant bladder.

I'm not sure if it makes sense from my description (sorry, no photos), but this is a flexible configuration that allows easy transition of the secondary LPI between the drysuit and the redundant LPI.

 

[Centrals]

1. Re-route the dry suit inflation hose to the right side as suggested.
2. Run the corrugated hose of the 2nd bladder, without lp hose attached to it, under your right arm and clipped it at the right side chest D-ring. Orally inflated it if necessary.

 

[ajduplessis]

Sorry but a drysuit is NOT a lifting device

Agree, but still dump the dual bladder and use a SMB or lift bag if you feel the need to have redundent buoyancy options. I have double steel hp 119 with stages diving a drysuit (tri-lam with little thermal layers). Swimming that rig up without over inflating the suit is a breeze, maybe to easy. During my last stop(20ft) i have nearly no air in my wing and just enough in the suit to remove squeeze, anything more and i will surface.

 

[j2s]

I dive DS4s with a double bladder wing and drysuit. The difference is I don't have the 2nd bladder connected as I would use my drysuit inflate if my wing failed. I only plan to use the 2nd bladder when diving with a wetsuit. I can't really see how you can use the DS4 in the way you want without compromising access to your valves. Maybe see if someone will swap one of the DS4s for a DST and get the 5th port conversion bit done?

Outlaw, Do you know if Apeks makes a 5th port upgrade kit for the DS4's ???.....I use HOG D2's because of the lp port that comes off the top [and 2 hp ports] making routing simpler, but still have DS4's that would be nice if I could convert....Can't find them myself and getting conflicting answers....Any info appreciated.......

 

[Centrals]

Outlaw, Do you know if Apeks makes a 5th port upgrade kit for the DS4's ???.....I use HOG D2's because of the lp port that comes off the top [and 2 hp ports] making routing simpler, but still have DS4's that would be nice if I could convert....Can't find them myself and getting conflicting answers....Any info appreciated.......

As far as I know, the 5th port is for DST and UST only. They share the same body except the environmental seal.
You cannot convert the DS-4 to DST as the bodies are completely different.

 

[lucca brassi]

only DST have 5 port