Question Twins or Sidemount or 18L?

[Nick_Radov]

I'd say you're experienced enough to teach yourself to dive recreationaly with a twinset. There is really nothing complicated about it.

There's nothing complicated about it until something breaks. The failure management procedures with double back tanks and an isolation manifold have some nuances that most divers can't (or don't) safely learn on their own. I recommend at least a short training course so that you know what you're getting into.

Doubles Primer | GUE

www.gue.com

 

[Nick_Radov]

I have no interest in tech diving or cave diving.

I don't think you're asking the right questions. If you run through that much gas on a single dive then you're likely going to exceed the NDL (unless you only want to do really long but very shallow dives). Getting into mandatory decompression means you need to know at least the basics of tech diving including gas reserve planning, failure management, and deco theory.

No matter what sort of equipment configuration you pick you're certainly going to need a different BCD in order to progress to any sort of more complex dives. Do not try to mount multiple large tanks on a Tusa X-Wing. It is fragile, convoluted garbage which can sort of work for simple recreational dives but nothing more.

I am concerned that none of your options seem to account for gas weight. Do you fully understand why it's necessary to have a balanced rig and how to set one up? I'm not trying to be condescending here but frankly I don't think you understand what you're getting into and may be taking on risks that you don't fully appreciate. Recommend you take a step back and complete more advanced training instead of trying to learn this stuff online.

 

[rx7diver]

View attachment 921683

Here Emile is sporting a backmounted Faber 15l-3l combo and plate


View attachment 921684

Here Emile is sporting a backmounted Faber 15l-3l combo and Bcd

Yeah, but Emile forgot the upper tank strap in the second pic (the BCD pic).

rx7diver

 

[happy-diver]

Which upper tank strap would that be on a 25-30yr old pre integration hardpack Bcd chief
Although the dive was only 4 yrs ago, so great longevity, from the bought used Dacor Bcd

A bit modified too

Magnificent!

 

[ChrisMBC]

There's nothing complicated about it until something breaks. The failure management procedures with double back tanks and an isolation manifold have some nuances that most divers can't (or don't) safely learn on their own. I recommend at least a short training course so that you know what you're getting into.

Doubles Primer | GUE

www.gue.com

I absolutely agree with the sentiment, but it’s worth mentioning that a Doubles Primer doesn’t really teach you about managing failures. Yes, you learn to do a valve drill and manipulate the valves, but practice failures and failure resolution is only covered in T1/C1. Until then, you’re only really taught to dive with the doubles as a ‘big single’.

 

[Subcooled]

To confirm, why do you recommend an aluminum tank over a steel tank? Note that I wear a drysuit year round and already carry lots of lead.

You need a nearly neutrally buoyant extra cylinder, either steel or aluminum. It will hang on your side and if it is very heavy, it will be unpleasant.

One example: I am often diving with a (European) 7/200 steel cylinder. It has 7 litres (70 cubic cm) of internal volume and 200 atmospheres of pressure. It is an absolute joy to carry - even in swimtrunks. It's small, light weight on dry land, and almost neutral in water.