Valve orientation

[Mike McG]

I'm going to be diving with it solo in the Lake District. 15l single tank to a max of about 20m. I originally looked at a smaller cylinder but was advised by a couple of experienced divers that there wasn't much difference between a 40 and the next size down so I might as well get used to a 40 since it can be used for other things.

In addition to this set up i'm going to look at a steel 3L back mounted pony which I will only use in shallow water for taking photo's of fish. Absolute max depth 10m. Back mounted purely to keep it out of the way of the camera.

Thanks for the advice guys, much appreciated.

 

[grantmac]

Once you learn to sling the 40 correctly I doubt you'll want that 3L.

 

[rddvet]

Hi Mike,

I don't know how deep you go but in my opinion a 40 Al for a pony is bit big if you carry already a 80 on your back. Unless you do CCR or something like that. If you have question about your solo certs let me know i ve done mine with sdi last summer.

Be safe

Wtf? The size difference between a 30 and a 40 is minimal.
Always do your research before believing random people on the internet.

 

[34109411]

Wtf? The size difference between a 30 and a 40 is minimal.
Always do your research before believing random people on the internet.

I did ask if we was on backmount or not for primary air. After that if it s recreational diving a 40 Cf it s half a regular tank. IMO overkill for intended use for poney bottle, redundant air source.

 

[rddvet]

I did ask if we was on backmount or not for primary air. After that if it s recreational diving a 40 Cf it s half a regular tank. IMO overkill for intended use for poney bottle, redundant air source.

Taking more gas in a cylinder thats so minimally different in size that you will never know the difference is overkill?
There's no such thing as too much gas. Nobody's talking about slinging a 30 vs slinging a steel 72. You get a little more gas in the 40 with no major difference in weight or how it rides on your body.
It's a no-brainer and why I would wager to bet that 75+% of solo divers are usnig 40s.

 

[rjack321]

I did ask if we was on backmount or not for primary air. After that if it s recreational diving a 40 Cf it s half a regular tank. IMO overkill for intended use for poney bottle, redundant air source.

until you need 30.5cf some weird day or ya drown

 

[The Chairman]

There's no such thing as too much gas.

You've never been to Taco Bell!!!

But truly, I've never been disappointed that I had too much gas. Ever. I've met quite a few people who didn't bring enough and were glad that I did. Yes, I've handed off two tanks at this point. I was quite amazed when one of those recipients simply wanted to continue their dive. WTF???

 

[rddvet]

You've never been to Taco Bell!!!

But truly, I've never been disappointed that I had too much gas. Ever. I've met quite a few people who didn't bring enough and were glad that I did. Yes, I've handed off two tanks at this point. I was quite amazed when one of those recipients simply wanted to continue their dive. WTF???

There's a reason my old ass hasn't eaten fast food in 15+ years. Meanwhile in college I ate McDonald's or Taco Bell 2-3 times a day.

 

[Bald Wookie]

If you are carrying a stage in sidemount, on your left, then you want a left hand valve (same as the right tank) so that the valve handle goes to the right. This makes it much easier to reach with your right hand, and it clearly differentiates it from the valve of your left SM tank which is pointing to the left. At least that’s how I do it, and I can’t really imagine having the stage valve pointing left, which would put it basically in between the stage and left tank. Also, in that configuration, you are always using the right hand on the valve to remove and replace the stage, with the left hand on the bolt snap down near the bottom of the stage.

If you’re asking about using a stage/pony on a single tank, I think you could go either way. If the pony is slung on the left side, it might seem nice to have the valve pointing out (to the left) which would mean a right hand valve. But, I would consider how you intend to remove/replace it, like if you were handing it off. If you want your right hand on the valve, orient it to the right. If you want to sling it on the right, that probably means your left hand would be manipulating the valve during removal, so valve pointing left, which means right hand valve. Remember the regulator is typically ‘up’ so the valve orientation is the opposite of what you might first expect.

I am slightly the opposite in sidemount - my valve on my stage is the same orientation on my left side as my LH sidemount tank. I've found it keeps me in practice for using two stages on the left in backmount and doing a proper gas switching method/technique so keeps the skills up. In general I know that the lower tank is my stage so there is little confusion in sidemount though, and I've had no issues reaching the valve.

But I can see the benefit of having the valve pointing towards the right side to avoid confusion.