Dedicated Drysuit inflation ?

[mainedvr]

Thinking of getting a dry suit inflation system, while size I am sure matters dependent on dives is there a good size tank to start with? Also, do you dive with a drysuit hose on your breathing air for redundancy and if so any recommendations on stowing it? I dive both doubles and single tank but not tech.

Thanks

 

[ajduplessis]

IMO drysuit inflation is really only needed for deep trimix dives. I use a 3litre bottle and dont use a redundant hose.

 

[eelnoraa]

Agree with ajduplessis, it only makes a meaningful difference if your back gas contains He, which is not suitable for dyrsuit. If you have air or nitrox in back gas, I don't see the point. Except you are practing yourself for further tech training.

I use AL6 for drysuit. I leave the back gas drysuit hose there and just bungee to the back plate.

 

[mainedvr]

Agree with ajduplessis, it only makes a meaningful difference if your back gas contains He, which is not suitable for dyrsuit. If you have air or nitrox in back gas, I don't see the point. Except you are practing yourself for further tech training.

I use AL6 for drysuit. I leave the back gas drysuit hose there and just bungee to the back plate.

I do plan to do tech training in the future thanks for the replies.

 

[PfcAJ]

Al6 mounted to the backplate. Scubapro Mk2 1st stage with an OPV, ~26" inflator hose. For longer/ deeper cave dives, al14 mounted to the left backgas tank.

No DS hose on the backgas regulators.

 

[maj2]

15 years ago, I saw all kinds of people using Argon inflation systems in recreational dives.
Over the past decade or so? Can't recall anyone still using it recreationally.

Tech diving is a different story though, as stated above by the previous responses.

 

[decompression]

The benefits of argon are debatable, but when using Helium there's no debate though, in using a dedicated system for inflation. If you're not diving trimix then no real need for the extra complications.Although, if you are thinking of tech and helium is in your near future, getting used to an inflation bottle is good.

 

[lv2dive]

I’ve used an AL6 with air (not argon) for dives up to six hours, and had plenty of gas left over (at least 500 PSI) BUT I run my suit pretty tight. That is for both open circuit and CCR dives (typically l use less on CCR as I’m warmer in general).

 

[lv2dive]

I typically use that AL6 for all dives I’m using a Drysuit, from the 1-2 hour easy OC dives on up as described above. It’s simple and uncomplicated and I have removed the extra inflation hose from my doubles reg.

 

[boulderjohn]

but when using Helium there's no debate though, in using a dedicated system for inflation.

Actually, there is some debate.

I was on a dive boat on the way out for a technical dive in South Florida, and I overheard two people talking about how they used to be so foolish as to use a dry suit inflation system. I looked around the boat and saw that i was nearly the only one with an inflation system. This was for dives typically using something like 21/35 in 72-74 degree water.