Independent Twins Regulators

[scuba127]

A question for those expirienced at diving independent twins. I've been solo diving alot with a single aluminum 80 and pony tank; for the record, I am SDI Solo certified. I have completed the TDI Advanced Nitrox Course and will be completing the TDI Decompression course in October. This course will be conducted in manifold doubles and I am looking forward to training in this configuration. That said, since I'm mostly a solo diver, I would like to also work with independent twins for those times a competent buddy and/or manifold doubles just can't be found. I've decided against the long hose in this setup since I don't see the need for it when solo diving. I plan to use my Atomic M1 on the right post with a 40" miflex hose running under the right arm and clipped off to the right chest dring. This is how I dive the M1 in a single tank configuration. My question is the left post. I'm thinking about putting an APEX XTX100 configured in a left hand configuration on the left post with a 40" miflex hose running under the left arm and clipped off to the left chest dring. Do those of you expirienced in diving independent twins think this would be a reasonably streamlined and efficient way to route hoses for independent twins? I've been diving for 15 years and know and respect how many feel about solo diving and independent twins but my situation (solo much of the time, limited to 150' max and in reasonably warm, clear water) indicates to me that this is a viable alternative to manifold doubles. I look forward to your responses.

 

[ianr33]

Why not use a short (22' or so) hose on the left post.Run it behind your neck and secure it with a bungee around your neck? Simple and efficient.

I have dived independent doubles in the past and I used a regular long hose on the right post.Partly so that it could be donated to some stray diver if needed but mainly because I am too lazy to be constantly switching hoses around.

 

[NorthWoodsDiver]

I would rig just like you would for a hogarthian doubles system, the probability of having a catastrophic gas loss on one of your cylinders and needing to donate gas to someone else off that remaining cylinder is pretty slim. just make sure your bc is hooked to one tank and the drysuit is hooked to the other tank. to limit hoses and clutter I would leave a simple pressure gauge on the left tank (divers left) and maybe put a transmitter on the right tank if you think you need to know pressure in that tank.

But to solve everything you might just look into diving sidemount for those times when independent tanks are all thats around, its a good system and training is currently available.

 

[Nemrod]

I have dove independent doubles off and on since the early 70s. Before there were modern twin manifolds this was the only game in town without making homemade manifolds (which we did) when complete redundancy was required.

Since you are solo, donating to an OOA diver is not a consideration. I don't see the purpose of side mounting personally aside from unique applications. Currently I have a set of bands for 6.9 inch independent doubles. The bands are more narrow than standard because they do not need to accommodate a manifold.

Not saying it is right, I have routed hoses various ways and in the caves used long, stuffed hoses back in the day, but for the most part, I run both hoses to my right side but with side breathers I have done left and right side routings like you suggest, it can be less confusing that way. I run a spg on the left and on the right clipped off. You need an spg to monitor both tanks so you can perform your periodic switch over plan.

You said "warm" and "clear" water therefore it seems you will not need a drysuit so there will be no hoses there. I would run the inflator from the left tank. A failure there is not a big deal because you can orally inflate your wing if need be.

N