Can I use my Scubapro Glide to dive doubles?

[george1098]

Hi all
I'm faily new to diving, but I would like to eventually get it to some tech diving. I was wondering if I could use my ScubaPro Glude BC to dive doubles. I would probably go with aluminum 120's. I would have to get a backplate for the tanks and a set of wings to boost the lift capacity. Anyway, do you guys think that would work? what products should i go for if i go through with it? or would It be better to get a new teck BC all together?

 

[JahJahwarrior]

1. Good luck finding an aluminum 120. Not sure if I've ever seen one. Aluminum 100s are common, but to get a 120, it'd be easier to go steel. They may exist (alu. 120) but I've never seen one.

2. You said you'll need to get a backplate and wing to handle the doubles, yet you are asking if you can use what you've already got? The backplate and the wings is pretty much everything! If you get a new backplate for your scubapro, and a new wing....what's left of the original?

3. You'll probably get laughed out of most places trying to do technical diving with any type of "BC." Best to get a good wing for the doubles, a backplate and a harness, for a "real" tech setup. It'll be more comfortable, will hold your tanks more securely, and is garunteed to hvae enough lift and hutzpah.

As far as what products are good....
Dive Rite
Golem Gear
Salvo
Halcyon ($$ for the blue H)
Deep Sea Supply
Oxycheq
Hammerhead and Fred T both make backplates.

 

[Web Monkey]

Hi all
I'm faily new to diving, but I would like to eventually get it to some tech diving. I was wondering if I could use my ScubaPro Glude BC to dive doubles. I would probably go with aluminum 120's. I would have to get a backplate for the tanks and a set of wings to boost the lift capacity. Anyway, do you guys think that would work? what products should i go for if i go through with it? or would It be better to get a new teck BC all together?

I've never tried it, but most of the SP BCs are rated for doubles and already come with bolt holes for the bands.

Feel behind one of the back trim pockets and you'll find a tag showing the rated configurations(s).

Terry

 

[marchand]

JahJah forgot to mention Zeagle.

Zeagle has a really inexpensive steel plate ($115), and they also make good quality wings. I know that their singles wings are some of the cheapest out there as far as the top companies go, but I'm not sure about the doubles wings.

 

[JahJahwarrior]

JahJah forgot to mention Zeagle.

Zeagle has a really inexpensive steel plate ($115), and they also make good quality wings. I know that their singles wings are some of the cheapest out there as far as the top companies go, but I'm not sure about the doubles wings.

I do not believe that Zeagle follows the "industry standard." I can take a backplate from any of the companies I named, and a wing from any of the others, and they'll match up and work. Zeagle's system is good, but I cannot attach a Zeagle wing to an Oxycheq plate. Also, Hammerhead has a steel plate AND an STA for $110. Zeagle is a great brand and Marchand will go on and on and on about their lifetime warranty, but I believe that a mis-matching of brands might be the best thing for you, such as a Hammerhead plate and the new Oxycheq Razor Extreme wing, which is virtually indestructable. Also, no manufacturer is particularly hostile to their customers, infact, many of them will go out of their way to fix anything you've destroyed at a reasonable cost in a very short time span. In many cases, the owner of the business is more than willing to chat with you and help you out.


As WebMonkey said, you can probably bolt doubles to what you have. If you are doing OW diving, and it has enough lift, it should be fine. But for technical diving (wreck, cave, etc) I know some places won't even let you take the class in a "BC" type thing. Others will let you take some classes in it, but after a certain level, they expect you to stop using certain types of equipment, such as BCs and ponies.

Since you already own the Scubapro, dive with it until you actually become a technical diver. If you hadn't bought it yet, I would suggest buying a backplate and wing to start. I certainly wish I had!

 

[ArcticDiver]

But you can attach someone else's wing to a Zeagle BP. I do it and it works just fine.

Plus, for singles Zeagle works without a STA.

 

[george1098]

Thanks guys.
I had a look at my BC's manuel (finally) and it says it is rated for doubles as long as the tanks don't exceed 12 litres each. I have two 12L steel tanks already, but I should think I would be getting pretty close to my BC's lift capacity if I used those. Maybe I will pick up a couple 12 L aluminum cylinders and throwe a manifold on top of them. That should do me just fine untill I get some more idves under my belt. then maybe I'll think about getting a set of wings, harness and backplate for some bigger cylinders.

 

[PerroneFord]

Thanks guys.
I had a look at my BC's manuel (finally) and it says it is rated for doubles as long as the tanks don't exceed 12 litres each.

Did it mention what you'd have to buy to be able to attach doubles to your BC? Might want to check into that.

I have two 12L steel tanks already, but I should think I would be getting pretty close to my BC's lift capacity if I used those. Maybe I will pick up a couple 12 L aluminum cylinders and throwe a manifold on top of them.

Throw a manifold on them eh? 12L steels will be lighter than 12L aluminum tanks... just for the record. You really ought to spend some time thinking this through.

That should do me just fine untill I get some more idves under my belt.

Actually, I don't think you'll be "just fine". But good luck anyway. You might want to consult with a local technical instructor and get their opinion of this configuration you're about to cobble together.

then maybe I'll think about getting a set of wings, harness and backplate for some bigger cylinders.

Maybe you should think of going this route sooner rather than later. It will probably cost you less in the long run, and will probably be a lot easier to handle and less dangerous. I've seen a BC break in the water. it was a PITA in singles, it could be life threatening in doubles.

 

[RJP]

Can I use my Scubapro Glide to dive doubles?

Sure. And you can use a hammer to drive a screw into a wall. But it's not the right tool for the job, and you really won't be happy with the results.

 

[Web Monkey]

Actually, I don't think you'll be "just fine". But good luck anyway. You might want to consult with a local technical instructor and get their opinion of this configuration you're about to cobble together.

I'll second that, but for different reasons.

If you have a failure on a recreational dive, you can share air and surface. If you have a failure on a deco dive, you need to be able to stay down and handle your deco obligation, or risk serious injury/horrible death. Without a properly trained buddy, with a similar gas supply, you'll be pretty much *****ed.

Terry