Why Double Small Tanks?

[SuPrBuGmAn]

You lose a tank, your buddy loses everything(somehow?), your right, one person is getting out.

How does a bigger set of tanks change this? How does a single tank with the same capacity as the smaller doubles change this?




If thirds violates rock bottom, you aren't using the right tanks(or you're not carrying enough of them). Just like you don't take a pair of small tanks for an 8 mile jaunt in Wakulla cave. That doesn't mean they can't be used for technical diving, decompression included.

I'm still waiting for an "all things being equal" comparison that makes small tanks unusable for technical diving.

 

[lowviz]

.......If thirds violates rock bottom, you aren't using the right tanks.............

Yes.

................I'm still waiting for an "all things being equal" comparison that makes small tanks unusable for technical diving.

-won't get that from me. I like small tanks, they enforce both understanding what you are doing and personal discipline.

 

[kanonfodr]

I like small tanks, they enforce both understanding what you are doing and personal discipline.

Discipline and understanding shouldn't come from tank size, but instead the diver's own maturity and risk assessment/mitigation.

Peace,
Greg

 

[Subcooled]

A comment from a non-technical diver:

A frozen and thus free flowing regulator makes a lot of bubbles. You might prefer to close the respective valve, unless you are a big fan of bubble baths

I have heard people say something about small doubles being more stable and placing the weight closer to the back, than large singles. It had something to do with balance and the feel of the gear. And it sure looks cool, doesn't it?

 

[Max Speed]

Wouldn't you get the same from one larger tank and an H-valve?

One dip tube just waiting to suck up something.

 

[Shcubasteve]

Interesting thread. Ive noticed divers at Blue Heron Bridge in Palm Beach diving twin AL40s on more then one occasion and always wondered what the point was... Think I might have just figured out an actual, practicle application where twin AL40s would be appropriate and desired.

Legend has it that the main shipping channel edge in the Port of Palm Beach is a SPECTACULAR wall dive with lobster, fish and other interesting marine life; due to boat traffic and shipping interest, such a dive most certainly would be an overhead.

Special notes are that that the area is tidally influenced would only be accessible during the relatively short slack-high tide period(20-30min), and is less then 40' TOPS. . The final caveat is that, without someone in 'the know' the closest parking spot is a 20 + minute walk down the beach...Here is a 40 minute profile obeying 1/3rds

 

[Spazzy]

Manifolded 7 liters are so 2007. Sidemounts are the new black. And much cooler because you get to wear a special BCD (those in the know have their power inflator hose connected to the bottom of the wing). Much more fashionable.

 

[Gilldiver]

Well you could make triples

Here are triple 72's I did as more of a joke:

But these Triple 40's should see some wreck time this year.