Backup Regulator Necklace Hose Routing

[RobPNW]

James, I don't have a retractor, was just asking. When you resist the mini console over an SPG, wouldn't it be better to have both a pressure gouge and a depth gouge? If my computer craps out, obviously it is paramount to know how air you have but it seems important to have an accurate depth for any stops you may need to do. Or do people find, after enough experience, that they can "eyeball" their depth good enough to justify having one less gadget?

 

[James79]

James, I don't have a retractor, was just asking. When you resist the mini console over an SPG, wouldn't it be better to have both a pressure gouge and a depth gouge? If my computer craps out, obviously it is paramount to know how air you have but it seems important to have an accurate depth for any stops you may need to do. Or do people find, after enough experience, that they can "eyeball" their depth good enough to justify having one less gadget?

As a purely recreational diver, if my computer dies the dive is over... When I learned, they still taught no faster than the small bubbles as a reference for less than 60 ft a minute ascent rate, and you can eyeball 10 feet-ish for a safety stop if needed. If you are getting into any mandatory stops, then you're getting into tech and really should just have a backup computer.
If I were you, and already had the console, I'd just tuck it behind a strap or bolt snap it as James recommends. You'll find that you can read the guages while it's still clipped to a d ring (waist or chest) and if you need the compass, you can untuck/unclip it and have it in hand while navigating.

Just my opinion,

James

 

[inquis]

I see people have a single ended clip that appears to be secured to the elbow with a zip tie, and the clip end attaches to the D ring. That leaves the clip dangling when the regulator is in the mouth. I see the same kind of setup on the SPG.

The purpose of the zip tie (or small o-ring) is used to allow one to break it in an out of air emergency if it were clipped off. The rebuttal is that it shouldn't be clipped off when an air emergency might occur -- it should be in your mouth.

If I need to doff gear before exit (e.g., diving from a zodiac), I will switch during the safety stop to the necklaced regulator and coil/clip the long hose. If buddy went OOA at the safety stop, they're probably going for the surface anyway.

Regardless of breakaway philosophy though, that small boltsnap is beneath the "dangle threshold" to care about. FWIW, I've never seen an SPG with a breakaway boltsnap, nor can I think of a good reason to do so.

 

[inquis]

If my computer craps out, obviously it is paramount to know how air you have but it seems important to have an accurate depth for any stops you may need to do.

Why is it paramount? You're on the way up with less tissue loading and more gas remaining than you originally planned. What will you do differently knowing vs. not knowing? (Just considering recreational diving here.)

As far as depth, you have your buddy as the backup "instrument", no need for two more depth gauges between the two of you (a total of three remaining).

 

[eelnoraa]

Looks like my corrugated hose is 16"

If you want to try the way, make it 12-13”. When you are in trim, it won’t dangle

Okay, dummy question on clipping off the 2nd stage. I see people have a single ended clip that appears to be secured to the elbow with a zip tie, and the clip end attaches to the D ring. That leaves the clip dangling when the regulator is in the mouth. I see the same kind of setup on the SPG. Is it possible to use a double ended clip, and leave the clip attached to the D ring, and have the other clip end grab a rubber ring or something similar on the regulator end? Seems that way, there would be one less thing dangling when in use.

So to answer your question, let’s see why it is done that way. The goal is to be able to clip off the primary by muscle memory, by feel, using right hand only. If you use double ender, it is either a two hand operation. The snap on primary is actually quite small. Same idea for dog, muscle memory/feel/left hand only. The snap on spg is bigger tho.

 

[inquis]

Is there a most common length for the clip?

Regulator boltsnap (small, 3" long)
SPG boltsnap (medium, 3.9" long) or (large, 4.7" long). (I prefer the medium even with drygloves, but large may be preferred if you have thick wetgloves. It's beneficial to be able to put a finger through the eye.)

Edit: interesting tidbit, boltsnaps are sized by the diameter of the eye in some regions rather than the length.

 

[Wibble]

Also, on the HP hose, I have a very simple console with SPG, depth and compass as a backup if something goes awry with my watch AI computer. Hopefully, I never need to use it. Is it reasonable to clip that console off with a simple retractor instead of a fixed clip? If my computer stops working or I feel the need to use an analog compass, I can pull it forward on the retractor. Otherwise, it just stays where it is.

No.

Your computer backup is your other computer or you surface should it die. The compass is either on your computer(s) or on your other wrist.

Consoles are massive dangly things that dive shops sell mainly to novices.

A simple pressure gauge (without rubber buffer) with a bolt snap tied to the hose and clipped off to your left-hand waist D-ring does the job nicely.

 

[RobPNW]

Why is it paramount? You're on the way up with less tissue loading and more gas remaining than you originally planned. What will you do differently knowing vs. not knowing? (Just considering recreational diving here.)

As far as depth, you have your buddy as the backup "instrument", no need for two more depth gauges between the two of you (a total of three remaining).

If what you're saying is true, and if your computer dies and you immediately end the dive and ascend, why carry an SPG at all? Not a smarty pants question. I see your logic, but if the rule is no computer = dive over, doesn't it follow to not even have an SPG? What am I missing?

 

[RobPNW]

Regulator boltsnap (small, 3" long)
SPG boltsnap (medium, 3.9" long) or (large, 4.7" long). (I prefer the medium even with drygloves, but large may be preferred if you have thick wetgloves. It's beneficial to be able to put a finger through the eye.)

Edit: interesting tidbit, boltsnaps are sized by the diameter of the eye in some regions rather than the length.

Thanks!

 

[inquis]

if your computer dies and you immediately end the dive and ascend, why carry an SPG at all?

Fair question. Mainly because you don't know ahead of time that the computer will die, obviating the need for the SPG. In other words, until the dive ends, the SPG still might be a valid indication the dive needs to end.

Along your line of questioning, why care about NDL when the plan is to terminate the dive at 700 psi on the SPG? Same reason -- NDL might expire before the SPG says go up.