Gear Requirements for the Solo Diver?

[Nemrod]

What is the Air2 used for?

N

 

[CuzzA]

For me it avoids having to constantly switch configurations by adding a second stage if I'm buddy diving without a pony and it's more streamlined.

 

[SoloMonkey]

For me I take Dive Rite twin wing and a transpak fabric based lightweight solution.
2 x AP Valves Plastique pylons, 4 x cam bands and 2 x sets of Poseidon regulators.
From this you can rig a set of twindies with pretty much any tank size.

I have had some dive operators state "We don't hire ponies so you can't solo dive". In this case with the 2 x singles it isn't a problem. Rig them together and et voila. Sure you haven't got the convenience of a manifold to isolate them but a switch every 5 minutes is fine.

 

[Rred]

If you need a backup mask...Then once you have put on the backup mask, it becomes "the" mask and you no longer have a backup. So if you needed a backup in the first place, it is time to abort the dive. Which is something you can do pretty easily without a backup mask in the first place.

Dunno, if something smashed my mask off, I think I'd be ready to just abort the dive, and I could do that without dragging around a second mask.

Now, I DO keep a backup mask. When I got a "better" mask I put the old one in an original Pelican box and I carry it with me in case some idiot falls on my dive gear, or tosses a tank on it. But it stays on the boat or on the beach.

What kind of PLB did you get that is waterproof to any significant depth? Or is it a Nautilus?

 

[lermontov]

If you need a backup mask...Then once you have put on the backup mask, it becomes "the" mask and you no longer have a backup. So if you needed a backup in the first place, it is time to abort the dive. Which is something you can do pretty easily without a backup mask in the first place.

unless your deep inside a cave or wreck then a back up mask would be glorious

 

[Rred]

The OP was talking about 60-100 feet ocean boat diving. Which means no caves, and very unlikely that he'll be deep in any wreck at that depth. In which case a wreck penetration line would be all he needs to braille his way out, in any case. Deep in a wreck, if your light goes out and you can't see daylight? A mask won't matter, will it?

 

[Schwob]

The OP was talking about 60-100 feet ocean boat diving. Which means no caves, and very unlikely that he'll be deep in any wreck at that depth. In which case a wreck penetration line would be all he needs to braille his way out, in any case. Deep in a wreck, if your light goes out and you can't see daylight? A mask won't matter, will it?

I carry a back-up mask. I am wondering how well I can read my gages w/o mask. Will have to try that. If I can read them I might re-think carrying that backup mask. If I cannot read them, I'll keep carrying that mask.

 

[CuzzA]

@Rred I carry a ResQLink Plus in a CustomDivers delrin canister.