Diving Doubles

[Wijbrandus]

How does one go about getting educated on the proper way to dive doubles?

Also, is this something that would require an investment in my own gear? Or do some places rent out doubles rigs?

How complicated is this? Is it something a rookie has no business even thinking about? I'm very comfortable in the water, but I have no bottom time, and I figure doubles will increase my time while I work on the other reasons I turn so fast.

 

[MechDiver]

The best way IMO would be to take a class in deco/adv diving. As you say though, this is not "rookie" territory.

There is nothing magical to diving doubles other than being strong enough to lift/carry them and being able to afford it. The equipment is expensive, as is the training needed to effectively use them.

Going this route to extend recreational bottom time is a little extreme IMO. I think you would be better off working on whatever issues you have/think you have concerning air usage, or get a larger single tank.

MD

 

[GDI]

Take Classes or do a siminar. Some places will rent. You will want to ensure you have the correct way to rig when diving dbl's, BP w/wings. Don't add anything but keep to the basics and learn the characteristics. Work with different sizes to see what is best for you. Most use lp 104's. Balance trim et all will come with a little practice. Work the valves and just get a feel for them. Best to work in shallow water at first. You can even work off the back of a pick-up tailgate or picnic table to exercise the reaching for system components before hitting the water.

 

[HammerNoMore]

How does one go about getting educated on the proper way to dive doubles?

Also, is this something that would require an investment in my own gear? Or do some places rent out doubles rigs?

How complicated is this? Is it something a rookie has no business even thinking about? I'm very comfortable in the water, but I have no bottom time, and I figure doubles will increase my time while I work on the other reasons I turn so fast.

One of my local shops has a little mini-intro for technical diving.

Basicly they throw you in the pool with a pair of steel doubles and 2 40cf stage bottles. I think the point of it is to discourage people from going down a road they really don't want to...

You might look into something like that before you start signing up for expensive classes...

James

 

[LUBOLD8431]

There really isnt a class for teaching people how to use doubles that I know of. The best way to do it, is to find someone that can help you by renting the necessary gear, and then getting some pool time to practice, and then do some open water dives with them. You will need a set of doubles with isolation manifold, a backplate with harness, and a set of wings large enough for the doubles you are using. ALL of this gear can easily be $1500 or more. You can probably find a buddy or a dive shop in your area that can rent this stuff to you.

Good Luck...

 

[IndigoBlue]

How does one go about getting educated on the proper way to dive doubles?

Also, is this something that would require an investment in my own gear? Or do some places rent out doubles rigs?

How complicated is this? Is it something a rookie has no business even thinking about? I'm very comfortable in the water, but I have no bottom time, and I figure doubles will increase my time while I work on the other reasons I turn so fast.

A tech instructor would be qualified to teach you how to set up and dive with doubles.

Anyone else with experience with doubles could do the same, but that would be outside the scope of proper training.

Doubles are normally first taught in the stage decompression course. Most agencies teach the tech progression something like this:

Prerequisites:

AOW & Basic Nitrox

Tech courses:

Advanced Nitrox
Stage Decompression
Basic Trimix
Advanced Trimix
Basic shipwreck or cavern
Advanced shipwreck or cave

Tech scuba stores normally rent doubles, but they may want to see your stage deco card, and if you do not have one, they might not rent you the gear.

 

[MechDiver]

There really isnt a class for teaching people how to use doubles that I know of.
Good Luck...

IANTD Adv. Nitrox and Deep Diver will do that if using doubles for the classes. It's part of the syllabus.

MD

 

[Wendy]

It seems that alot of folks posts here are mentioning technical diving. But you did say you were just an ow diver and that you are looking to get more bottom time. Maybe you don't need to go to doubles to do this.

What size tank are you using now?

Are you streamlined with your gear configuration?

Are you weighted properly?

How is your trim and bouyancy?

How is your fitness level?

Are you moving thru the water using your hands at all, or just thru finning?

You can get better air comsumption by adjusting/fixing some of the above. See if that helps rather than going to doubles if there really is no need for you to do so at this point in your diving.

 

[bridgediver]

The best way IMO would be to take a class in deco/adv diving. As you say though, this is not "rookie" territory.

There is nothing magical to diving doubles other than being strong enough to lift/carry them and being able to afford it. The equipment is expensive, as is the training needed to effectively use them.

Going this route to extend recreational bottom time is a little extreme IMO. I think you would be better off working on whatever issues you have/think you have concerning air usage, or get a larger single tank.

MD

Hi Robert. I don't think you necessarily "need" formal training for doubles but make sure you have some one who knows what their doing to show you the ropes. Its kind of like going from a half ton to a 18 wheeler - the finer points are different but its essentially the same.

Renting will be expensive and owning your own will be more expensive still! If you're looking to get into tech diving I'd say go for it but find yourself a mentor and get on track to take the required courses.

Otherwise, get yourself a pair of big single steels (120 or 130) and keep diving singles the extra weight of steel will be a good thing especially for cold water. You can get bigger aluminum tanks too. They'll give you tons of air!

mark

mark

 

[IndigoBlue]

It seems that alot of folks posts here are mentioning technical diving. But you did say you were just an ow diver and that you are looking to get more bottom time. Maybe you don't need to go to doubles to do this.

What size tank are you using now?

Are you streamlined with your gear configuration?

Are you weighted properly?

How is your trim and bouyancy?

How is your fitness level?

Are you moving thru the water using your hands at all, or just thru finning?

You can get better air comsumption by adjusting/fixing some of the above. See if that helps rather than going to doubles if there really is no need for you to do so at this point in your diving.

I have to agree with Wendy, that sucking down air off a pair of doubles is not the ultimate answer to more bottom time.

Jogging every other day, even really slowly, and swimming in a pool if you live near one, together with dieting, will go a lot further towards improving your bottom time on a single tank of air or nitrox.

For dieting, simply avoiding meats of all kinds, especially fatty meats like pork or sausage, or red meat like beef, especially hamburgers, will go a long way towards shedding 5 to 10 pounds over a couple of months. You don't have to give up meat forever, just for a few months.

Beer is notorious for its calorie content as well. Switch to wine or gin if you cannot give up alcohol completely but stay away from beer. And don't drink a lot, because alcohol contains a lot of calories as well. If you can give it up, then that will shed another 5 to 10 lbs in a couple of months, and pretty soon you will be 20 pounds lighter.

When you are underwater don't swim a triathelon either. Swimming is for the surface. When you are underwater, you should try to stay in one place, and observe the sea life there. Keep the kicking to a minimum.

Your bottom times should improve with your efficiency and your physical fitness.