Doubles for Recreational Diving?

[jiml]

All of my dives at home are recreational -- under 100 fsw, no deco dives. About two thirds of them are in doubles. I do not dive doubles for long hikes up and down hill to the water, difficult entries, or scootering, simply because it's more than I can physically manage. All other dives are in doubles.

Why? Because I cave dive, and I need to maintain the skills and the strength to manage double tanks. And, frankly, doubles are MUCH nicer in the water than a single tank is. They're more stable and more balanced and more comfortable. (If somebody else would just cart them around on land, and up the boat ladder for me . . . sigh.)

How do I plan multiple dives? Somebody else has already talked about the hidden "bonus" in doubles. I can almost always get three dives out of a set of doubles before I have to fill them (LP85s). I can get two Helitrox dives out of a set of doubles and still respect rock bottom.

(emphasis added by me)
I was curious if any double divers find the extra inertia annoying. For example, I find diving with one of my old 72s more comfortable than diving with one of my 119s (but I do appreciate the extra gas). I feel more agile with the smaller tank. Is that something you're less concerned about, or do you really not notice much difference in that regard? Of course, I suppose maybe there's a trade-off between stability and agility.

 

[mark99]

Stable is a description I would strongly apply to diving with doubles. Agile is not. So yes there's a trade-off. And I don't personally think you build up much inertia. It's more like diving with the brakes on.

 

[micklock]

The biggest reason I like doubles is Mike Nelson used them and he is cool.

 

[Nemrod]

No.

N

 

[TSandM]

Well, I've been trying to think of what kind of diving I would do where being really agile would be an advantage -- I don't spearfish, which is one place I can imagine agility being important, and when I went crabbing, I did use a single tank. Most of my diving is sightseeing, and stability is very pleasant. I can still turn over on my back and look up at the surface, if I want to . . .

 

[ArcticDiver]

About 90% of my dives are some variety of doubles. When using my own gear, or if I can rent a set of manifolded doubles that is what I use. But, much of the time when I'm traveling that isn't available. Then I just mount both rental cylinders independently.

Independent Doubles vs. Manifolded Doubles each have their pluses and minuses.

Why doubles? Same reasons as everyone else has mentioned: More Gas, More Stable, More Options.

Downsides:
-I learned the hard way that the extra cylinders require more thrust; especially when I was already in a dry suit. On a trip south a couple winters ago I was using Blades. They were just too flexible when trying to swim in a dry suit with twin 100's on my back. After I switched to Jets all was well. Swimming wet I can just get by with Blades. But, I'm going to go Jets there too when I get somewhere I can buy them.
-The extra weight and bulk demands more out of the diver. Of course that is an upside too since that might motivate to workout more.
-More expense. Now you have to have two regulators, etc.

 

[astrofunk]

Well, I've been trying to think of what kind of diving I would do where being really agile would be an advantage...

To be fair, I'm not sure I could be described as "really agile" even in singles. Still, though I prefer doubles in general, I'll switch to a single on surf entries/exits where I feel it's important to move as quickly as possibly through the surf zone.

Monastery Beach in Monterey is a good example. On a flat day, doubles would be no problem. But when the surf is up and I may have to crawl up a steep beach on the exit, I feel more comfortable in a single.

 

[texdiveguy]

I am wondering how many of you use doubles for recreational diving? I realize that recreational is a vague word. So when diving in open water, max depth 140 feet, no plans for decompression.

If you do dive doubles recreationally: why? when? and how do you plan multiple dives?

Thanks for any responses.

I use doubles for recreational diving at times....sometimes a big steel single.

jackass.....?? why do you ask, are you using or considering using doubles in the future?

 

[TSandM]

Still, though I prefer doubles in general, I'll switch to a single on surf entries/exits where I feel it's important to move as quickly as possibly through the surf zone.

Oh, as I said at the beginning, when maneuvering ON LAND is an issue, I'll dive a single tank every time. Having been rolled at Monastery in doubles, I do not do any challenging entry or exit in them!

 

[jackass]

jackass.....?? why do you ask, are you using or considering using doubles in the future?

I recently completed a cavern course and the cave called to me. I figure it is time to start diving doubles.

Then I started to consider why only "tech" divers dive doubles because the benefits of doubles to most diving is starting to seem obvious... and the thoughts led to this post. I can see why many people wouldn't dive doubles, but I also dive solo a bit, so instead of a pony bottle, etc. and...

I think you get the idea.