Extended Range/Trimix

[Dirkadiver]

I am currently in training for extended range/Trimix & need to by a set of doubles. Obviously volume is everything for maximizing my bottom and allowing enough at the end of the dive just in case I have to deco on my bottom gas. I am leaning strongly towards HP 130's, but have been told to go LP 120's & get them overfilled. I plan to dive these tanks independently on my recreational dives as well to ensure I max out my no deco bottom time w/ plenty to share if my buddy has trouble. I am a big dude. 6'1" 280lbs (ex-powerlifter) so I'm not too terribly concerned with the weight of the tanks, but rather trimming them out & staying completely horizontal. Planning on doing a lot of penetration dives so I must maintain total control of my positioning & buoyancy. Also curious as to weight required with double steel tanks & wearing a White's catalyst drysuit. I've got a couple dive buddies that say they need no weight with the steel tanks. I know this will vary from person to person, but just trying to get a general consensus before I buy.

Dive deep, dive safe.

 

[Jimmer]

I'm diving LP108's right now, I'm 6 foot 3 or so, 245# and I find they trim really really nicely in the water. I'd suggest you try as many sets as you can, but have a good long look at the HP130's, which are the same size as my 108's. Keep in mind you have a while to go before taking your extended range or trimix classes, ie. Advanced Nitrox, and Deco Procedures, tons of practice and work to make sure you're dead set with buoyancy and task loading. Technical wreck penetration is a whole different ball game again, and requires more training and skill work. I'm doing my Advanced Nitrox/Deco Procedures course this summer, and the best advice I could give you is get your doubles setup, and dive dive dive dive in recreational settings to get as comfortable with them as you can. I'm diving mine anywhere from 10 to 130 foot dives just to get as used to them as possible. I wear no weight at all with a 5mm wetsuit and a 3mm core warmer. I have a White's Catalyst 360 on order, so I'll be able to give you an idea on that in another month or so.

 

[cool_hardware52]

I am currently in training for extended range/Trimix & need to by a set of doubles. Obviously volume is everything for maximizing my bottom and allowing enough at the end of the dive just in case I have to deco on my bottom gas. I am leaning strongly towards HP 130's, but have been told to go LP 120's & get them overfilled. I plan to dive these tanks independently on my recreational dives as well to ensure I max out my no deco bottom time w/ plenty to share if my buddy has trouble. I am a big dude. 6'1" 280lbs (ex-powerlifter) so I'm not too terribly concerned with the weight of the tanks, but rather trimming them out & staying completely horizontal. Planning on doing a lot of penetration dives so I must maintain total control of my positioning & buoyancy. Also curious as to weight required with double steel tanks & wearing a White's catalyst drysuit. I've got a couple dive buddies that say they need no weight with the steel tanks. I know this will vary from person to person, but just trying to get a general consensus before I buy.

Dive deep, dive safe.

Dirk,

Keep in mind that steel tanks vary a great deal in their buoyancy characteristics, Faber LP 121 are neutral when empty, and Faber HP 120's are -7.2 each! In other words it depends on exactly which tanks you are using.

Keep in mind that wih doubles you will need to be negative by at least the weight of the gas in your doubles. In the case of 130's that about 20lbs.

If your Drysuit is 25-30 lbs positive you might need upto 50lbs of ballast. You need to determine how positive you are in your Drysuit.

I'd suggest you talk to your instructor before buying any tanks.

Tobin

 

[DudleyNMU]

I just purchased my LP-108's. I have one dive in them soo far it it went really well. I am also 6'2" 290 Ex-Powerlifter my self so i know what your talking about. My 108's i have fit me really well and bouancy was really good also. I cannot give you too much advice because i have dove my double once only soo far. That dive was also with a dry suit with heavy undergarmits.

 

[PerroneFord]

Is your number of dives that you list, accurate? You have less than 50 dives? I also don't see you list Adv. Nitrox among your list of certs which I thought (hoped) was a pre-req to trimix.

I'm not trying to judge you, I am just somewhat concerned is all.

 

[SparticleBrane]

With less than 50 dives...tech diving probably isn't where you should be headed at this point. Time to dive a lot, get some experience...then think about technical diving. Sounds like a case of "too far, too fast".

 

[wedivebc]

Is your number of dives that you list, accurate? You have less than 50 dives? I also don't see you list Adv. Nitrox among your list of certs which I thought (hoped) was a pre-req to trimix.

I'm not trying to judge you, I am just somewhat concerned is all.

And by your profile you shouldn't even be in the water but we all know better right?

 

[PerroneFord]

And by your profile you shouldn't even be in the water but we all know better right?

What? I have my snorkle... you just can't put that cert on the profile...

 

[DudleyNMU]

P - ford, I noticed you havent dived at all...according to your profile,Maybe you should check your profile before ripping on someone eles dream of being a tech diver. Or maybe by your pics your DIR soo of course you know eveything.