equipment configuration

[beche de mer]

MechDiver once bubbled...


You pretty well got those I think.

MD

OK, Mechdiver, since this seems to have pushed your buttons in particular...

Explain to me why doing a deco dive with a single plus a pony bottle is unsafe.

We have an entirely redundant gas source. Provided the usual gas rules are followed, how is that different from using twins?

Thanks for the advice reefraff. Extra computer is good sense. Be grateful for any other tips.

Uncle pug - were travelling light. Can't take my twins because of the weight. But a pony is OK. I'm wondering whether I should take two.

Incidentally, mechdiver, tropical waters does not necessarily mean the middle of nowhere. There are recompression facilities at Port Moresby, Denpassar, Vanuatu, and Townsville.

 

[Boogie711]

Beche - I don't want you to have the wrong idea. Please don't dismiss our advice because we're shocked and appalled that anyone would do anything so foolish.

It seems that you're planning on going anyway. So please, let me adopt a smiley, caring tone of voice and pass along some helpful hints I've come up with for someone doing the kind of trip you're planning.

A) Prepare a will. Even if you don't have loved ones, it's always good to make sure your estate is in order and that your belongings won't end up in Probate.

B) Check your life insurance. Some policies won't pay for a diving accident, depending on circumstances. Make sure that when the inevitable 'big one' happens, at least your beneficiaries aren't going to get stiffed.

C) Clearly mark all your gear in LARGE letters. This helps recovery teams identify a body in low light or low visibility conditions.

D) Visit your local priest, Rabbi or Minister beforehand. Just to make sure you're at peace with all aspects of your life, both mental and spiritual, before you disembark.

E) Consider a pre-paid funeral. It often saves your loved ones from having to make decisions or come up with money in their time of grief.

F) Have fun! And remember - just because everyone is appalled you would consider such a trip, that doesn't make it wrong... it just means we can buy your gear for cheap from a grieving family.

 

[bwerb]

beche de mer once bubbled...


OK, Mechdiver, since this seems to have pushed your buttons in particular...

Explain to me why doing a deco dive with a single plus a pony bottle is unsafe.

We have an entirely redundant gas source. Provided the usual gas rules are followed, how is that different from using twins?

Thanks for the advice reefraff. Extra computer is good sense. Be grateful for any other tips.

Uncle pug - were travelling light. Can't take my twins because of the weight. But a pony is OK. I'm wondering whether I should take two.

Incidentally, mechdiver, tropical waters does not necessarily mean the middle of nowhere. There are recompression facilities at Port Moresby, Denpassar, Vanuatu, and Townsville.

...what is your dive training and experience?

You mention that you have twins...are we to assume you are a trained decompression diver?

If weight is an issue and you can't bring your twins...what about travel bands or a set regular bands...use the liveaboards tanks and set them up yourself.

You shouldn't be using a pony bottle at all in your gas calculations. If you need extra gas...twin up, then add stages as required. A pony bottle should only be used for emergencies and should not ever enter into your calculations. Deep diving on a single tank does not leave enough contingency gas for emergencies and makes for a rather short dive. If you are going into deco...take more gas than you will need not just enough to make it work.

 

[Boogie711]

Explain to me why doing a deco dive with a single plus a pony bottle is unsafe.

Are you serious? OK - then don't sweat it. If you have a problem and lose all your gas from your main cylinder while you're at 120 feet with a deco obligation, you'll have 19 cu ft of gas in a Pony! I don't know why you're worried.

Heck with a pony - I'd just take a Spare Air.

 

[Uncle Pug]

beche de mer once bubbled...
Uncle pug - were travelling light. Can't take my twins because of the weight. But a pony is OK. I'm wondering whether I should take two.

Since you haven't told us and the information is coming out in drips and drabs... let me just assume that you will be using AL80s supplied by the dive operator.

Take a manifold and bands.

Or

Dive independent doubles.

Or

Dive an 80 on your back and sling an 80 stage to use first.

 

[MechDiver]

beche de mer once bubbled...


OK, Mechdiver, since this seems to have pushed your buttons in particular...

Incidentally, mechdiver, tropical waters does not necessarily mean the middle of nowhere. There are recompression facilities at Port Moresby, Denpassar, Vanuatu, and Townsville.

Having done two dives since OW, been to 3 county fairs and two goat ropings, I thought my advice was fairly reasonable given the information you provided.

I did notice, however, that you checked to see where the chambers were.

Break a leg bub, and dive safe.

MD

 

[bwerb]

MechDiver once bubbled...


Having done two dives since OW, been to 3 county fairs and two goat ropings

You told me you were a goat roping expert:wacko: I am NEVER going to listen to your advise on goat roping again...I can't believe I even changed goat roping agencies after your advise in the other thread...I'm just too upset to type anymore...

 

[Uncle Pug]

MechDiver once bubbled...
Having done two dives since OW, been to 3 county fairs and two goat ropings

I would have figured you'd been to a lot more than just two goat ropings Phil.... living over there on the wrong side of the state and all.

 

[SDAnderson]

Boogie711 once bubbled...
Beche - I don't want you to have the wrong idea. Please don't dismiss our advice because we're shocked and appalled that anyone would do anything so foolish.

And remember - just because everyone is appalled you would consider such a trip, that doesn't make it wrong...

Shocked? Appalled? Not hardly - more like jealous!

:box:I'd dive Truk/Palau in a heartbeat and the only consideration I'd give to the ScubaPolice would be daily thanks that none of you were on the boat with me. IMHO, the rewards are in line with the risks and, frankly, the risk isn't all that horrible with some training and an extra dose of caution - people simply aren't dropping like flies out there. Your opinion may differ, that's what makes the world go 'round.

Steven

 

[kingprawn]

A couple of folks from our club took velcro bands to do deep dives on travel. Strap two 80s together and dive independent doubles.

Boogie711 once bubbled...

...you'll have 19 cu ft of gas in a Pony! I don't know why you're worried.

By the way who said ponies are 19cft. Mine are 40cft. I could do a 20 minute deco from 120. (Not that I would plan a dive like that).