Double Tank Manifolds, Bad Idea!

[AfterDark]

OP, I 1st dove ID's in the 1980's. Prior to that I used 2 tanks connected by a manifold. The ID config. is so much easier to handle and fill that I decided to stay with the ID's and never looked back. Cave divers have their SOPs and stick to 'em. High risk activities require SOP's. When divers are in the same cave they should all be on the same page, SOPs do that, manifold doubles are a part of those SOPs. The side mount config. is probably the best compromise between back mount doubles either manifold or ID. The valves can be seen and easily accessed. The tanks can be removed and replaced easily. Filling is like any single tank. If I was starting out diving I'd give side mount a good hard look. For me at this point in my diving I'm not going to spend the money on something that I might not be able to use for long. Like you I'm a dedicated ID diver.

 

[rhwestfall]

question for the guys using ID's: Do you still use left and right hand valves?

 

[Doppler]

Message to the OP. You are invited to sit in on any class I teach... perhaps Intro to Tech would be a good one... to learn the basics of gas management and gear configuration.

I think you might learn something that would further your understanding and influence your analysis.




By the way, I no longer dive manifolded doubles.

 

[tskovan]

Wow, for someone who claims to never get stressed, because they “know what there doing”, you sure got worked up because I have a different opinion about gear configuration!
OK, your right cave diving isn’t dangerous, How dare I suggest such a thing, It’s only the second most dangerous sport in the world, after BASE JUMPING. And by the way I never said people shouldn’t cave dive, I just said I choose not to.
And the “ladies divers” remark, very mature.
Your right about the “no longer have redundancy,” comment, I should have said true or complete redundancy (manifolds have failed).
The personal attacks about my training knowledge and skill are uncalled for.
Oh, and apparently you turn all your dives at half full, since starting a dive with one half full and one full is so crazy (if my full tank fails I turn the dive and some how manage to make it back on 40 cubic feet! Amazing).
And like so many other replies you never did make a case why manifolds are better than independent twins, you just resorted to personal attacks.
Unlike DiveMaster_Tom who made a great, calm, reasoned response, that I will reply to next. Have a nice day.

 

[AfterDark]

question for the guys using ID's: Do you still use left and right hand valves?

I don't, I have two complete single tank setups sans octos, banded together mounted on a B/P.

 

[chrpai]

Seems like I've been reading about manifolded vs suicide doubles for at least 10 years now. Interesting reading but for the diving I choose to do, still not relevant.

 

[Teller]

I think your logic is flawed. Perhaps taking a technical course would open your eyes a bit.

In my opinion technical diving whether it be cave, wreck, deep ect. has a pretty good track record and when an incident does happen its usually traced back to diver error.

 

[AfterDark]

Seems like I've been reading about manifolded vs suicide doubles for at least 10 years now. Interesting reading but for the diving I choose to do, still not relevant.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[chrpai]

Thanks for sharing.

My subtle point is I suspect it's not really relevant to the diving he does either...

 

[PfcAJ]

So in your first post, you outlined the number one reason for the manifold: if a reg fails (by far the most common failure in the gas system), you still have access to both tanks. Plain and simple. You went on to say 'if you planned your dive right, you should have enough gas to get home'. Something to that affect. The truth of the matter is that failures of generally any type are often accompanied with reduced vis and/or delays. You need that extra gas, and the manifold provides access to that gas.