Redundant Buoyancy - open to criticisms.

[MaxBottomtime]

This seems to be the proverbial solution for a problem that shouldn't exist.

 

[mr_v]

WTF am I looking at?

 

[rjack321]

This seems to be the proverbial solution for a problem that shouldn't exist.

WTF am I looking at?

People have been using MSR bags for buoyancy in caves for at least 15 years

2009 - MSR Dromedary Bag - Razor Go Side Mount

At the same time HP started to replace the Camelbak hydration bladder with the MSR Dromedary Bags.

razorgosidemount.com

 

[Celt]

View attachment 871515
https://www.msrgear.com/water-treatment/storage-bags/dromedary-bags/dromedary-bags.html
Carabiner Clip | Aluminum Wire Gate Carabiners | RALLT
The four wire gate carabiners clip to the hip and shoulder D-rings (DIR harness does not have a hip D-ring on the right so you would need to add that)
View attachment 871516
Corrugated Hoses
Hose clamp for the cap
Corrugated Hose Clamp Kit, each (Qty 2 required)
View attachment 871520
The hose clamp works better than the zip tie for the cap
The inflator head can use two zipties.
K-Style Power Inflator for 1-inch Corrugated Hose or any other one that you have lying around.

Would that make a neat emergency bag for a scooter flood, anyway of attaching a co2 cartridge like you’d see on inflatable life jacket.

 

[Umuntu]

People have been using MSR bags for buoyancy in caves for at least 15 years

It’s possible to buy a sidemount wing which is commercially made from a repurposed MSR bladder.

DECO Sidemount Bladder 22# with Hose, Inflator and Dump Valve

Bladder Complete Complete Assembly Bladder w/ Elbow 13 or 16 Inch Corrugated Crush Proof Hose K-Valve OPV

www.diveequipmentco.com

And if you are happy to install your own OPV and inflator hose …

DECO Sidemount Bladder Only 22#

Bladder Only Bases already installed No Valves, hoses, inflator or OPV

www.diveequipmentco.com

 

[Umuntu]

Would that make a neat emergency bag for a scooter flood, anyway of attaching a co2 cartridge like you’d see on inflatable life jacket.

Yes, but you would need a good OPV too.

The main issue with life jacket CO2 cartridge inflators is that they are meant to be used on the surface and fully discharge and inflate the life jacket. There’s no ability to partially fill the bladder.

You would do better with an inflator mechanism similar to that from AP Diving, which is refilled from a small crack cylinder as you can control the flow of air into the bladder with the cylinder valve.

Swivel Cylinder Post - DIN (Complete)

APV35B Swivel Cylinder Post - DIN Replacement part for post 2007 AP BCDs Complete assembly including rubber valve protector, base and O rings

www.apdiving.com

0.1L SMB Mini-Cylinder + DIN Valve

AP8DM14/AP6W - Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) Mini-Cylinder complete with DIN Pillar Valve AP6W Cylinder: 0.1 litre, 232 bar AP8DM14 DIN Pillar Valve: 250 bar max, M14 x 1.5 cylinder thread The 0.1 litre Mini-Cylinder is for use with the AP SMBCi - Surface Marker Buoy with inflator

www.apdiving.com

 

[SelfDiver]

Not sure why this was posted twice.

 

[SelfDiver]

Thank you for the feedback:
@happy-diver - The "Yanni" Steve Bogaerts video is the original inspiration.
Your picture is one of the ones that came up when I was looking at ways to make this.

Adding Dromedary as Redundant Buoyancy in Stealth Tec

Who has done this? Why is it a bad idea? Why is it a good idea? I know it is done but would like to learn your experiences.

scubaboard.com

Another one is from Andy Davis talking about the Steve Bogaerts setup

https://scubatechphilippines.com/scuba_blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/sidemount-history-converted-msr.jpg

The newer MSR bags don't have a grommet in the "corner" for the bungee.

@inquis and @GF99/99 "Can you describe the scenario in which you'd need this?" - No, but PADI thinks it might be necessary.

https://www.padi.com/sites/default/files/documents/padi-courses/2.6.02%20tec%20diving%20safe%20diving%20practices.pdf

PADI tec diving safe diving practices #7 "Be buoyant for surface swimming and resting, and, if diving in a negatively buoyant condition due to gas and equipment requirements, have at least two means of controlling buoyancy using low pressure inflation by a gas source"

@rjack321 "As a some kind of redundant bladder this is missing the mark TBH" - I disagree but, I do admit that an OPV is probably a good idea.
@grantmac "Trade the elastics for bungee and bolt snaps." - Ok.

@Umuntu "Are the threads of the MSR bladder compatible with the OPV / hose elbow ?" - No. You need a BCD bladder flange assembly

Bladder Flange 3 Piece Assembly Kit

This is a replacement bladder flange 3 piece kit for older and some new style style BCs. This kit includes the following pieces: Inner, Outer and Intermediate Seal So the make threaded piece has an OD of 1" to slide through the opening in your bladder Also has an overall OD for the whole piece...

www.piranhadivemfg.com

View attachment 871715

 

[Nosmosis]

I am not sure why this solution is needed versus a number of other alternatives that exist (e.g. drysuit, liftbag, DSMB, double bladders)? Additional alternatives are fine, but they should offer incremental value in their use above the existing alternatives, otherwise nobody will see a reason to use this.

 

[SelfDiver]

I am not sure why this solution is needed versus a number of other alternatives that exist (e.g. drysuit, liftbag, DSMB, double bladders)? Additional alternatives are fine, but they should offer incremental value in their use above the existing alternatives, otherwise nobody will see a reason to use this.

This whole thing is useless, agreed. A balanced rig should be used and even with total wing failure you should be fine.

But to answer your incremental value:

• Drysuit is not appropriate for 80 degree carib or south east Asia. I am not using a Drysuit if I can help it.
• Lift bag and DSMB are hard to use without a lot of practice. How often have you done this practice from 50-60 meters with an aggressive deco profile? By unscrewing the cap with the inflator, I was able to use this bag as a DSMB with about 12 pounds lift. This is even easier with the OPV that @happy-diver uses.
• Double bladder is my usual setup. and I have never had to use the second wing. (Now I jinxed it.). The Double bladder can only be used by the person wearing it. This bag is transferable.

This bladder does work. It is not a new idea. It provides redundant buoyancy without a drysuit or double bladder and much easier to use than a lift bag or DSMB.

But hey, I am just an idiot on the internet.