two tanks setup,back plate,Dir

[xsports]

Really new at this but i really wanting to set up a back plate and a wing for two tanks.Anyways i guess what i am asking is i think i am going with the Halcyon system but i not sure. I also want to now some info on a pony tank or spare air(how the pony works? need another reg??I just dont know how it works..I want to eventually do some lite tech..I have been reading alot on this DIR stuff ..Any help would be nice thanks again

 

[Scared Silly]

Because you have many questions and are in the Denver area I would suggest that you go into Flat Iron Scuba which is an H delaer and have folks that can answer your many questions.

 

[TSandM]

First off, a backplate and wing can be used with a single tank while you're new, and converted (with the purchase of a doubles wing) to double tanks when you're a bit further along.

If you are interested in DIR, you will not use a pony or a spare air. You'll take along a buddy who is carrying your spare gas, and the two of you will practice until you're sure he can donate to you and you can execute an air-sharing exit from whatever dive you do.

I would suggest you do some research into BP/W systems -- There is a TON of stuff about them on this board. There are a number of good manufacturers, and prices vary wildly. Make sure you have looked at DSS and Oxycheq in addition to Halcyon before you buy. Consider the need for an STA, and whether it fits into your weighting requirements or not.

If the LDS recommended in the prior post is a good, technically oriented one, it'll be a gold mine of information and guidance.

 

[Jasonmh]

Because you have many questions and are in the Denver area I would suggest that you go into Flat Iron Scuba which is an H delaer and have folks that can answer your many questions.

Great advice. I suggest you call or go in to the store, ask to talk to Rob Calkins.
He can answer all your questions, including your questions about tech diving and DIR.

Their contact info:

11965 Main Street Broomfield, CO 80020
303-469-4477
M-F 10a-7p, Sat 10a-6p, Sun 11a-5p
Info@FlatironsScuba.com

 

[Ben_ca]

Since you are really new my advice is:

Don't Buy Anything!!!

Not yet anyway talk to those guys and see if you like the way they dive in person. Then start looking for gear. They probably have a loaner for you or maybe you'll get a good price on one of theirs...

Take everything you read here with a grain of salt and specialy the DIR stuff... there's a lot of bad info out there.... Just hook up with these guys and get a dive in and see where it goes from there.

 

[hunter991]

Good advice from the above posts. Try renting all the different kinds of gear and getting a feel for it. A backplate is a great start for a first BC but you should know what makes it better from experiencing the other styles. Your local shop should have some rental gear to try out.

Brent

 

[Blackwood]

I also want to now some info on a pony tank or spare air(how the pony works? need another reg?

Every tank needs to be connected to at least one regulator.

Re ponies: I think they hold about 6CF. An emergency that must be resolved with a backup air source is likely too serious to be addressed by a pony. Spare air is even more ridiculous. You're better off carrying a sling bottle.

But, as TSM mentioned, your buddy is your backup.

 

[Falco]

Every tank needs to be connected to at least one regulator.

Re ponies: I think they hold about 6CF. An emergency that must be resolved with a backup air source is likely too serious to be addressed by a pony. Spare air is even more ridiculous. You're better off carrying a sling bottle.

But, as TSM mentioned, your buddy is your backup.

A poney tank is a tank that is designated as an emergency air supply. It is not taken in account when planning gas managment for a dive. They can be slung or tank mounted, depending on size and user preference and will range from 6CF to as big as you want to carry. But all of this is is a non issue if you want to pursue DIR since you will be regarding the other divers in your team as redundant air supplies.

 

[Blackwood]

A poney tank is a tank that is designated as an emergency air supply. It is not taken in account when planning gas managment for a dive. They can be slung or tank mounted, depending on size and user preference and will range from 6CF to as big as you want to carry. But all of this is is a non issue if you want to pursue DIR since you will be regarding the other divers in your team as redundant air supplies.

I've always been lead to believe that a pony tank is a 6CF bottle hard mounted to the side of your back gas tank(s).

 

[Falco]

In the "real" world, most poney bottles I've seen were mounted on the side of the tank, while most poney setups discussed on SB tend to evolve around a 30 or 40 CF tank slung on the left side.