Hopeful wreck diver needs gear advice...

[psiborg1812]

Ok, so i'm hopefully going to be taking my first tech class in the Fall, and i would like to put together a decent tech rig. My eventual goal in diving is to become a wreck diver, and i would like my gear to be able to carry me through all the levels of technical diving, especially wreck diving. Sooo....

Gear I have:
2 DIN regulators, one is a Dive Rite Hurricane, the other is a Poseidon 2305
Fins have steel spring straps
2 O2 clean regulators, one's an OMS and one's a Sherwood
One primary and one secondary light
Oceanic Veo computer with compass, dive watch and 2 SPG's

My budget is going to be about 1000 dollars, but i'm a poor college student that has been saving for a while,so if there is a cheap way that will get the job done safely please share your secrets!

I guess i'm really just looking for advice on the harness setup. What is a comfortable and streamlined harness system in your opinion?

Thank you in advance!

 

[ivobj]

Not that it is not possible, but I prefer to have the same reg in both posts of the double cylinder, for O2 is ok to have diferent ones. My computer is permanently in botton timer mode, as specially in tech you have to plan your dive before goingo in the water, you need only the botton timer and depth gauge to carry out your plan (not that you cannot use the computer to make sure, but as far as I know the Veo cannot handdle multiple gases deco).

Unfortunately tech diving require more robust equipment, which has also "robust" price, but buy it as you progress, if you can borrow from friends, test before, if you are in doubt.

About the harness, if you are going tech, I strongly suggest BP/W set up, I prefer a single webbing harness, you can see my full config described here:

Equipment Configuration | Global Underwater Explorers

 

[DevonDiver]

My budget is going to be about 1000 dollars, but i'm a poor college student that has been saving for a while,so if there is a cheap way that will get the job done safely please share your secrets!

I guess i'm really just looking for advice on the harness setup. What is a comfortable and streamlined harness system in your opinion?

Firstly, don't kid yourself that equipping for tech diving can be done cheaply. I don't mean that you have to go out and buy the best of everything....just that you need a wide array of solid, dependable equipment that it perfectly suited to the planned task/s.


Secondly, it is possible to waste a fortune on tech gear. Get some proper advice - not internet. Find a seasoned tech diver/instructor and establish a mentored relationship with them. Go and watch tech divers...see their gear...talk to them about it. Try stuff out. Even if you get the right gear, first time, you should never stop seeking to refine your set-up.

Some instructors run 'into' or 'familiarity' courses and these mostly deal with basic equipment set-up, trim and buoyancy. Some money spent on a course like this can save a fortune in the future.

One thing is for sure...you will get a lot of mixed advice on the internet - depending upon people's depth of experience, previous training and methodology. You need to be discriminating in the advice you take...and look for some sense in the 'common trends' of information given.

When choosing your gear, it is also worth being aware of any equipment requirements that may exist from the agency you eventually choose to take a tech course with. If you already have a course/agency/instructor in mind... then find out those requirements now...

Most tech divers will use a Hogarthian set-up, with a backplate and wing. In this sense, you are lucky, because it is a very modular set-up. You can start with the basics (keep it simple) and build it. A good mindset is Less is More.

Firstly, start off with a backplate. Generally, for most people, Steel is a better option than Ali. Once you have a backplate, it is a cheap and easy job to buy a few meters of nylon webbing and create a basic harness. You will need 5 D-rings - one for each shoulder, hip and one for the crotch strap. You can get instructions for constructing the harness online.

Once you have the backplate and harness configured, then you need to choose an appropriate wing/bladder to complete your set. Essentially, these are all very simular, but you will have some options on things like volume, elasticated bungees and single or double bladder.

The volume requirement is dictated by your weighting...and this will be mostly determined by your choice of twinset and stage cylinders. For most divers, a 40-60lb wing is sufficient. Too much volume can be a headache in the water because the air will migrate around the wing, so do not assume that bigger is better.

Some wings come with elasticated bungees that will restrict/compress the wing. These are not necessary, but some divers love them. Others hate them. A quick search of forum topics will swiftly enlighten you as to the arguements posed by both sides. In truth, there is very little difference...

Some wings come with a second, internal, redundant bladder. These sound like a nice form of redundancy, but you would only ever need that if you were diving with excessively heavy equipment and were extremely negatively bouyant. The PADI DSAT course requires redundant bouyancy (if you are not diving drysuit - as this counts)...so many opt for a double bladder wing. However, redundant bouyancy can be provided through other means...such as utilising a lift bag for ascent. Again, as a general rule of thumb...most tech divers do not need a double bladder wing. It is personal choice...and there are strong advocates for both. You would not be selling yourself short by getting a single bladder wing.

The wing does not need a fancy harness or any more add-ons. Once you do your training/get a mentor...you will learn that the storage of most items required on the dive is done through careful placement and a length of latex bungee tubing. lol If you want to attach a zip/velcro pocket, then most tech divers opt to have a suitable pocket attached (sewn and glued) onto the wet/dry suit.

If you are going to google for different wing manufacturers.... then look for Halcyon, OMS, Diverite, Oxycheq etc. Ebay is a good source for tech kit (as I said before..so many divers make bad initial purchases and this is where it ends up)

Also google for Hogarthian and Hog Rig etc etc.

 

[psiborg1812]

Not that it is not possible, but I prefer to have the same reg in both posts of the double cylinder, for O2 is ok to have diferent ones. My computer is permanently in botton timer mode, as specially in tech you have to plan your dive before goingo in the water, you need only the botton timer and depth gauge to carry out your plan (not that you cannot use the computer to make sure, but as far as I know the Veo cannot handdle multiple gases deco).

Unfortunately tech diving require more robust equipment, which has also "robust" price, but buy it as you progress, if you can borrow from friends, test before, if you are in doubt.

About the harness, if you are going tech, I strongly suggest BP/W set up, I prefer a single webbing harness, you can see my full config described here:

Equipment Configuration | Global Underwater Explorers

I am leaning towards the setup you mention, just because of the simplicity of it. The link is AWESOME thank you very much! And good advice on the computer, i did not think about the different gases. Although I think it would be good for me to not rely on a computer while i'm learning. And in regard to having the same reg on the two posts, is it because of familiarity? or is there another reason?

EDIT: I guess i should have said inexpensive in the OP, sorry. I understand that it will be expensive to get the right equipment, but i would not like to buy an expensive setup when there is a less expensive or simpler way to do it.

Thanks!

 

[ivobj]

And in regard to having the same reg on the two posts, is it because of familiarity? or is there another reason?

Familiarity is one of the factors, but I would point out at least another 2:

1 - Maintenance, with same reg you will have easier (and probably cheaper) maintenance service, because you will use same parts kit and will usually service both regs toghether, as the recommended time beteween service shall be the same

2 - Hose routing, will be easier with similar regs because you will have a perfectly simetric configuration

As mentioned before, this doesn't have to be a priority, as you have a limited budget and prabably have a lot of other equipment to buy first, but in the future should be nice to consider.

 

[Diver0001]

Familiarity is one of the factors, but I would point out at least another 2:

1 - Maintenance, with same reg you will have easier (and probably cheaper) maintenance service, because you will use same parts kit and will usually service both regs toghether, as the recommended time beteween service shall be the same

2 - Hose routing, will be easier with similar regs because you will have a perfectly simetric configuration

As mentioned before, this doesn't have to be a priority, as you have a limited budget and prabably have a lot of other equipment to buy first, but in the future should be nice to consider.

I use a Legend LX and a Titan LX and I've never experienced any of these problems.

Yes you need a proper hose routing but you don't need your regs to be identical in order to achieve that.

Yes you need to be able to get your regs maintained but the don't need to be identical to achieve that

Yes you need to be familiar with your gear but I would respectfully submit that if you can't screw two differently looking 1st stages into your posts then you have bigger issues than familarity.

The only realistic argument I can think of for making the regs identical is so you can cannibalise one of them for parts if you're on an expedition where your maintenance options are limited..... There are also no arguments *against* making them identical either and if you're buying all new stuff it makes sense (because it looks nice) to buy two the same.

@psiborg1812, What purpose do you have in mind for your Sherwood reg? They're not suitable for using on a stage bottle, as you'll find out in your tek class, because they will slowly bleed off the pressure once you charge them.

Also, you titled this thread "hopeful wreck diver" so I'd like to ask a question back, which is, do you think you must be tek trained to dive on wrecks? There are many are some wrecks and some activities on wrecks that will require more training but many wrecks can be dived perfectly well without tek training....

R..

 

[Tortuga68]

Some wings come with elasticated bungees that will restrict/compress the wing. These are not necessary, but some divers love them. Others hate them. A quick search of forum topics will swiftly enlighten you as to the arguements posed by both sides. In truth, there is very little difference....

Lots of good advice in DD's thorough post

Without wanting to restart the flame war that he refers to, bungees = potential snags in overhead environments (eg wrecks)

 

[DevonDiver]

Don't forget the other issue...a bunged wing will also expel air from the bladder when it is punctured...wheras a non-bunged wing can be held in trim that keeps some air and buoyancy for ascent.

Still..it remains personal preference. I dove both bunged and non-bunged.... no difference to me...and I certainly wouldn't spend more money on one type over the other...

 

[b1gcountry]

You can't really do much equipment wise with $1000 for Tech Diving. That will basically cover a set of doubles new. I'd say look around for a deal on a used set of doubles, and get the BP/W if you haven't already.

The Sherwood reg is nice (I own several), but not ideal for stage use as it has the dry bleed, and that will mask potential real leaks. It also de-pressurizes over time when you have the valve turned off, which is not ideal, but not a deal breaker (My stages lose pressure all the time when I bump the purge anyway.)

Tom

 

[DevonDiver]

With the regs etc already covered...then I think 1000 bucks could be sufficient if used gear is obtained. Ebay is great for this...especially in the Tech market, where people are constantly trading up their gear.

It does get expensive however, when you start getting precise about refining the small things. Having to put bolt clips here and there... buying different length hp and ip hoses.... spares... an extra knife/shears.... wetnotes... slates.... tank decals....

...and then you want to purchase a suitable reel...that in itself could blow your budget in a single blow....

Getting the right advice...and seeing it done first hand...before..making purchases will save a fortune in that respect.