Gas Switch Block

[Scubamedicjoe]

what gas switch block does everyone use for there AGA mask . and Pony tank
the twi I have found are :
The OmniSwivel Gas Switch Block
OmniSwivel | Scuba Center | OmniSwivel Adapters, Manifold Blocks, Regulator Swivels,...

and the :
Sartek Industries Redundant Suppy Valve
Sartek Industries Redundant Suppy Valve - Dive Right In Scuba - Plainfield, IL
anyone using any of these tell me your pro and cons and any pictures thanks
joe carthage rescue

 

[ditch-diver]

We tested the RSV years ago, but didn't like it. Issues with undetected deployment, durability. We went with a Kirby Morgan Block with a one way check valve mounted on the lower right side. Solid, simple and fool proof. Easy to use, easy to service, easy to check during a dive, we have literally thousands and thousands of dives on them without incident.

Never tried the Omni swivel one

 

[james croft]

I also recommend the Kirby Morgan and also agree with everything ditch diver said abuot it. It is bulletproof. I would also stay away from using blocks made from delrin as sand can score it and cause leaks.

 

[robbf213]

We are running the Omni switchblock, don't have that many dives on them and have had one issue. One of our guys got lots of mud in the end and around the switch itself. It was almost impossible to turn the knob and seemed to get tighter the more we tried. A good cleaning and it was good to go again.
Fortunately we use a tender checklist and the problem was identified and rectified before an issue arose.

 

[udtfire]

kirby morgan for all thr rite reasons

 

[Yotsie]

We ran the RSV for 5-6 years and had always wondered why we were filling our pony bottles when we hadn't switched to them. During our yearly maintenance we found out why, the water we dive has a fine sand particulate which had scored the walls of the housing and was allowing blow-by. We have since switched to the Kirby Morgan blocks and have had 3 trouble free years so far.

 

[tc]

Another vote for the Kirby Morgan blocks.

No experience with the others, the KM's have worked fine for us.

 

[mstueven]

We're going to move to a gas block system. Sounds like the KM is the way to go. Two questions...

One, since it has four LP outputs - what are you guys hooking to the manifold? Why?

Two, octopus regulator (yes or no) and direct to tank or off the manifold? Why?

Thanks!

 

[ditch-diver]

By manifold you mean the block?

Coming in..., main air (with one way check to prevent back feeding and pony air. Going out, Hose to AGA and the drysuit power inflate. We have a small over pressure relief in the bottom port.

Octo yes, but off the tank. That way it is completely redundant from your main system in the event of colossal failure. Looking at the possibility of a quick connect nipple as well, so a rescue diver could swim down with a pass-off bottle and connect to the diver for a fresh tank with no need to lose comms, total encapsulation. Interspiro has one on their complete set that is geared towards the quick disconnect being an umbilical and the diver is on SSAD when hooked in. Just researching it now..., implementation would be a long, long way off

 

[Yotsie]

We're going to move to a gas block system. Sounds like the KM is the way to go. Two questions...

One, since it has four LP outputs - what are you guys hooking to the manifold? Why?

Two, octopus regulator (yes or no) and direct to tank or off the manifold? Why?

Thanks!

We run our set up like Ditch Diver with the exception of having a bail out whip with a brass disconnect on our main line. We have a rescue tank and our surface supplied air that we can plug into the whip in the event of a major entanglement/entrapment situation.