want to dive doubles
- Thread starter skeet
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skeet:
Strap em on and get in the water!
Just take it easy as far as depth and difficulty. Check your weighting and you may reduce your weight if using steel or increase if using aluminum. It takes a little getting used to but it's not that difficult.
As per your request, I use a diverite backplate, wing setup with OMS 85cf tanks and manifold. When I first started diving doubles I had a zeagle tech BCD with a pair of steel 72 and no manifold. I used two independant regulators and put a long hose on the right side. I would start my dive on the right side and switch to the left regulator after 1/3 of the gas was used or 1500 psi for the 72s. I then used the left side, turning the dive when the left tanks got to 1500. I continue to use the left reg until the pressure gets to 750 at which time I switch back to the first reg (right side) and if all went well I finish the dive with 750 psi in both tanks.
This may be less popular way of diving but it is very economical and has served me well for several years. I became so used to the independant method that even though I have a manifold I continue to keep it closed and manage my gas the same way. This method also lends itself to a cave diving setup known as side-mounts which uses tanks slung from the side instead of on the back.
If I was buying a setup right now for the best value for my $$, I would get a backplate and wings and try doubling up some old 72 steels. If you hate diving with doubles (which I doubt you will) you can always use it with a STA and dive a single.
This may be less popular way of diving but it is very economical and has served me well for several years. I became so used to the independant method that even though I have a manifold I continue to keep it closed and manage my gas the same way. This method also lends itself to a cave diving setup known as side-mounts which uses tanks slung from the side instead of on the back.
If I was buying a setup right now for the best value for my $$, I would get a backplate and wings and try doubling up some old 72 steels. If you hate diving with doubles (which I doubt you will) you can always use it with a STA and dive a single.
That's great that you want to start using doubles and I am all for the "just strap em on and get in the water." But I think you should start in a pool first. Learn just how different the weighting is, practise and work on your trim and of course make sure you can reach your valves and preform valve shut down procedures. Also, understand what trouble you can get into with the increased amount of gas you carry - are you prepared for doing decompression. Do you know if you have enough gas to complete your decompression? From here the whole gas managment thing comes up. Also the way you configure your equipment needs to be looked at, find someone that can make recommendations and give you the pros and cons so you can make an informed decision. So it's more that just straping them on and getting in the water. More air is usually good, but there is responsiblilty and hazards that comes with it.
Look into an extended range course or a group of trained divers that can take you under their wing
Look into an extended range course or a group of trained divers that can take you under their wing
skeet:
First define the reason for doubles then evaluate if you have the right gear for it. You will need two regulators of quality, a decent pressure gauge, and a BC that can take doubles. Most if not all single tank BCs made today are not designed to take doubles. Unlike the old ScubaPro jackets and some of the old "hard pack" bcs the BCs today just cant handle doubles.
The ideal way to try a set of doubles is to find a PDC (professional dive center) who rents them or a PDC with a PDI (professional dive instructor) who has a few sets of doubles and wing sets in thier rentals and try them out.
Diving doubles does not mean technical diving. There are thousands of divers out there today who use doubles all the time and do not conduct technical dives.
Keep in mind that most PDC's dont have these to rent. But if you look around you might find them.
We let divers who want to try out doubles use them under supervision and for the most part it allows them to find what set works best for them. Different people have different needs. A 5'1" woman weighing in at 105 lbs does not need to carry a set of 104s she may just need a set of 63s where as a big ole boy might need that set of 108s.
Find a PDC who will work with you. And if not, let us know if you are out this way (AZ, CA, NV) and we can hook you up. We have twin, 63s, 72s, 80s, 85s, 95s, 100s, 108s, 121s, and 135s. plus a whole lot more.
Regards,
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