Tips on starting diving doubles

[James79]

Just a thought... If you aren't worried about the doubles as redundant air (no need to be able to isolate), then you may want to try what I sometimes do with my DH regs... I have a plate set up with bands for 72s and use a cheater bar manifold. Let's me swap in tanks as needed (like if I have 2 partial tanks from short dives).

 

[SouthernSharktoothDiver]

@James79 I'm unfamiliar with what a cheater bar manifold is. Could you explain?

In generaly, I'd like redundant air, but in truth, there will be at least some times (maybe most of the times) when my buddy's close enough redundant air isn't an issue. We only deviate from that when planned ahead of time (and so in such instances I might just default to my single tank+pony setup)

 

[James79]

A bar with a yoke at either end and an outlet in the middle.

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That's just an example. If you wanted to try it, I have a spare you could borrow.

 

[SouthernSharktoothDiver]

@James79 Huh, and it attaches where the burst disks go in? Just works as a manifold without the isolation component? That's interesting. I appreciate the offer to let me borrow one, but frankly the shipping cost of sending it back and forth would probably be about half of what it'd cost me just to buy the one on ebay to try. If you could tell me more about how you use them, I'd appreciate it

 

[James79]

They don't go where the burst disks are, you put the tanks facing each other in the bands. The bolts on it are the yoke knobs, if that clarifies it. When I get home I can take some pictures for you.
Also, I'm in SE Alabama... Springs in the panhandle or north Florida, or somewhere like st. Andrews could be a link up point to try it out.

 

[SouthernSharktoothDiver]

Ah, that makes sense now that I think about it that way. I'd like to make a run down to the panhandle at some point. Maybe we can arrange a meetup if I ever get the chance. Thanks!

 

[happy-diver]

See how it flows

Bewdiful isn't it

Other than that assemble whatever you have now rather than waiting to build eveyone elses perfect rig
Take it diving now, as you may find that diving your beautiful new rig, is the same as diving your old rig
That means you will have more beautiful diving time, and will have answered all, of your own questions

Bewdiful isn't it

Understanding stuff practically, not just theoretically, then you can come on here and tell us all about it

Bewdiful isn't it

 

[OTF]

My biggest tip for starting to dive doubles: go dive them A LOT. Lots and lots of shallow easy dives. Practice, make adjustments, take notes, do more dives, repeat.

If you're diving a drysuit or thick wetsuit, you want steel not aluminum doubles.

 

[nadwidny]

Ah, that makes sense now that I think about it that way. I'd like to make a run down to the panhandle at some point. Maybe we can arrange a meetup if I ever get the chance. Thanks!

You don't want this, especially if you were worried about failure points with a manifold. These things are just a multitude of failure points best left in the museum where they came from.

 

[James79]

You don't want this, especially if you were worried about failure points with a manifold. These things are just a multitude of failure points best left in the museum where they came from.

It's 2 yoke connections, tightened with a wrench (knot hand tight on a knob). Plenty secure if you take the few minutes to assemble correctly. Not exactly "a multitude of failure points."
Granted, not as solid as a modern isolation manifold or solid bar manifold, but has 2 advantages... The ability to mix and match tanks without emptying them, and at the low cost of borrowing (free) let's him try double 72s in the water with gear he already has.