Kevrumbo
Banned
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In sidemount Z-system, the virtue of the distribution block [or the new isofold/manifold] is that you never have to switch out regs as you alternate breathing off of left & right tanks --i.e. alternating between shutting down one tank valve and opening the other in Z-system sidemount diving, you are always breathing the primary long hose regulator. No "task loading" as you claim above.No, this is just not true. Being able to identify a problem quicker AND being able to feather pretty comfortablely for a while is a MAJOR advantage that SM has over independent doubles. I'm surprised that people still bring this up even though it's obliously not true.
I agree with almost every SM diver on the planet that this Z-System is a horrible idea. How wants to keep open and close their tanks? That's MORE taskload than just switching regs. And that's not even the only issue with that thing.
With the above in mind, here is the simple process of switching tanks on Z-sidemount to trim balance them, while on-the-fly-scootering (Right Tank Valve currently open to start):
--Turn on Left Tank valve with your left hand;
--Take your left hand and replace your right hand that was operating the scooter trigger, continue trigger operation with left hand;
--Turn off your Right Tank with your right hand.
--Replace left hand trigger with your right hand as needed. . .
No exchanging one regulator for the other as you would have to do if you were diving conventionally independent, normally open tank valve sidemount gas cylinders each with its own regulator & second stage. It would be inconvenient to say the least, to exchange & stow a regulator while scootering on-the-fly, and then have that just stowed 2nd Stage Reg start free-flowing. . .
Again, Fundamental long hose DIR/Hogarthian technique has you ALWAYS breathing the long hose primary regulator on bottom mix, unless you've just donated to an out-of-gas buddy --that's the best practice Scuba Diving paradigm I first learned ten years ago and still choose to retain. Contingency training with the "added complexity" of the QC6 connectors [Z-distribution block or Z-isofold/manifold] is not hard to accommodate at all and can be learned like any new novel skill, technique & task.