Going to try a new bailout cylinder configuration.

[tstormdiver]

I am getting some Faber HP 71's for side mounted bailouts. Bumped up a little, will have the same volume as the AL 80's I currently use. The height & diameter dimensions are roughly the same as an AL 63. The potential positives I see is because of the shorter profile, it will allow me to get rid of some weight. I wear 8 lbs right now, but really only need about 4 lbs. I only carry the extra 4 lbs to counterbalance myself (I'm rather rear heavy with the 80's & wear the weights behind my shoulders). With the shorter profile, the weight of the cylinders should be higher up on my body, than with the longer 80's, helping me be heavier in the nose (thus being able to get rid of the counterbalance weights). Another plus (for me) is because I'm only of average height (5'6"), the cylinders shouldn't be banging into my legs (at least not as bad) as I frog kick. The buoyancy characteristics are pretty decent (-6.97 full & -1.4 empty).

The biggest minus I have seen is finding enough real estate to wrap 7' hoses. Doable, but takes a little work.

Going to the quarry to try them out at very low pressure, to get the feel of the lighter buoyancy characteristics. BTW, my wing is enough to handle the more negative side of them when full.
Hope it works out!

 

[tbone1004]

I'd be concerned about the logic on the trim. The AL80's float in the butt so they are taking a lot of weight off of your hips when they are floating up, the steels will hang which brings your trim back to your hips so it might be an issue for you, unfortunately the shorter tanks don't really help on that one. I'd try some LP72's which will take the weight requirement off, but trim out mostly similar to AL80's. Nice thing as well is to get the same capacity as the AL80 you only have to be at 2600psi and they are neutral when empty so if your weighting is based on empty al80's you'll able to ditch it all. If you plan team bailout this is obviously not the answer, but it sounds like you are on individual bailout.

 

[tstormdiver]

I'd be concerned about the logic on the trim. The AL80's float in the butt so they are taking a lot of weight off of your hips when they are floating up, the steels will hang which brings your trim back to your hips so it might be an issue for you, unfortunately the shorter tanks don't really help on that one.

When empty, yes. AL's are 4 lbs negative when full then nearly 1.5 lbs positive when empty. That is why I am going to try them out with only 500 psi to begin with- worse case senario.

I'd try some LP72's which will take the weight requirement off, but trim out mostly similar to AL80's. Nice thing as well is to get the same capacity as the AL80 you only have to be at 2600psi and they are neutral when empty so if your weighting is based on empty al80's you'll able to ditch it all. If you plan team bailout this is obviously not the answer, but it sounds like you are on individual bailout.

I am being taught both team (because of standards) & individual (because makes more sense) bailout.

 

[tbone1004]

the al80's are 4.4lbs positive when empty, 1.4lbs negative when full with valve. That is sans regulators obviously. For team you really need to stay with AL80's or the AL72's. For individual you might have better luck just going to lp72's, but it's up to you how you are managing the bailout.

 

[tstormdiver]

The 71's actually did quite well. With only 500 psi in them, I was able to drop 6 lbs (had 10 lbs to trim out with the 80's) & was still a tiny bit nose heavy. The cylinders were wonderful in that they allowed me total freedom of kicking,... no knocking against the sides of my legs. I have yet to try them when full, but figured for cave, that low on gas buoyancy was more important to start.

 

[kwinter]

I use steel bailouts as well. LP72s instead of Al80s and LP45s instead of Al40s. Not only more gas, but I need a lot of weight to offset my considerable amount of bioprene. They hang right and trim very well. One thing I'm also trying now is using inline valves so any tank can be carried on either side. I've only done one quarry dive with them, but it seems to be working quite well. Valve handles are perfectly positioned and regs are well protected and snug against me.