View Full Version : Conventional/Inverted and stage rigging questions
Hello all,
I'm looking with interest at the new BSAC mixed gas courses but meantime I'm fine tuning my rig, so, as always... I'd like opinion from those who've tried(!)
My current twin tens are manifolded but I dive them independant because I don't believe I could do a gas shutdown drill acceptably quickly/easily at 45m in nil viz with a freeflowing reg etc etc (come to that I doubt many of my friends who dive manifold open could but that's another argument! :eek: )
I'm considering inverting, so...
Anywhere local that can make up longer direct feed hoses?
Has anyone tried inverted in combination with side slung 7's? Did they get in the way? Were there any unexpected wrinkles?
I normally hook my dsmb's onto the wings backplate on either side at the bottom. If that becomes awkward... where do you keep yours?
For the BSAC courses the eqpt list includes 2x torches 2 x DSMB's and a spare mask... where does everyone keep extra kit like this? (I'm really asking here, if you add pockets then where do you add them? What new problems does it cause, when can you *not* reach them?)
Any thoughts Ladies and Gents? :)
Lizardland
04-01-07, 16:38
I make up my own hoses for my rebreathers. You can buy re-usable fittings from AP, you would need a 3/8" threaded hose fitting for one end and a direct feed fitting for the other. However, AP direct feed fittings don't fit all wing inflators or drysuits. You can buy hose by the foot from AP or Sub Aqua Products.
Alternatively, take an old direct feed hose to a hydraulics supplier and ask them to re-fit the old fittings on to a new hose of the right length. Make sure you tell them not to test the hose afterwards as they use oil which can leave contamination.
I don't have any worries about shutting down my manifold, I know I can do it fast enough. Sometimes things like suit fit can affect reach: neoprene suits are more restrictive, back zips also limit reach (especially on a neoprene suit). Harness adjustment is important, if it is too loose then the valves will fall away from you when you go for them (same happens with soft wing style jackets like Zeagles). You need to have your bands right up the top of your cylinders too, just below where the curve starts. Having the cylinders sit higher above your shoulders is counterproductive, it actually moves the valves further out of your reach. Also helpful is having someone behind you grabbing your hand and putting it on the valve when you are practicing so you get a feel for where you are reaching for -- I've seen loads of divers trying in the wrong place.
I'm not a fan of inverted cylinders. I find them cluttered with stages (my rebreather cylinders are inverted) and as you've found out you need custom hoses. For donating a long hose you are losing a good couple of feet of hose length too. You're going to need some kind of stand or guard for your valves otherwise you're going to batter them when you are getting them on and off too, a lot of these aren't very well designed and are crying out to get tangled in stuff.
I try to carry most things in the thigh pocket in my drysuit. I have a length of bungee in my pocket with everything clipped to that so I don't lose anything when I'm fishing something out. I carry a small SMB in my pocket, I tuck larger bags into the bungee on my stages. Spare mask in another pocket on my suit.
Torches, I have a cannister light on the waistband of my harness and two little LED backups clipped to the shoulder d-rings and tucked in some bungee.
One final bit of advice, flog your 10's and get 12's. You start realising how small they are when you start getting into mix ranges. 12's though are harder to invert as they are longer and the bottoms sit high up above your head so you can reach the valves.
Cheers,
Stuart
always a pain the the @ss having to lug gear you seldom use, but you know you would part with your right arm for it if you needed it.
this is how i have my kit set up for storage.
i have 2 x wing pouches, one on each side of my wing, they sit in front of the bladder & are fixed to the stainless steel backplate.
i have a comfort pad in front of the backplate so you wont see it in the pic.
in one pocket i have an orange self sealing smb with the reel attached, the pocket fastner goes through the reel handle & is velcro fastned along with a stud, the reel is also snap bolted to a D'ring.
the other pocket (not pictured) you can put your 2nd (yellow) smb on their & rig it up the same way. alternatly, some umbilical torch batteries fit in as well.
on my harness waist band i have a john line fitted with a length of larnyard into the pouch, i have a break away clip on it so its not a permanent fixture to me but wont fall into the abyss should i drop it while removing my back-up frogman torch which coincidentally fits snugly along side it, this connected by its own lanyard.
on my 7 litre deco/stage bottle i have added a velcro fastning pocket.
you can keep all sorts of back-ups in there, lift bags, co2 smb, reels, torch etc.
no idea if this is DIR & dont give a hoot if it isnt, it works for me.
http://www.freewebs.com/scubaportal/metalsub/WING%20STORAGE1.JPG
smb pulled half way out for definition.
i really need to scrub the moss out of the slab joints.
http://www.freewebs.com/scubaportal/metalsub/WING%20REEL%20STORAGE.JPG
yellow pocket fastner holds the bag & reel in place
http://www.freewebs.com/scubaportal/metalsub/WING%20TORCH%20STORAGE.JPG
pics were taken on camera phone so please excuse the poor quality.
Cool, thanks gents, exactly the sort of info/ideas I'm looking for :D
I hadn't thought about wing pockets, never seen 'em but they sound handy. Nice to see someone else using Custard Divers kit, I'm gradually using more and more of their stuff 'cause it seems built to take uk diving... and doesn't mind a bit of moss ;) :D
Anyone else care to contribute..?
i think the Bowstone pouches retail around £30, got mine on ebay, brand new for about £15 or so.
Narked at 60 do a smaller set, think they are £60
http://www.narkedat60.com/store/itemDetails.asp?id=22-33-165
pic of them here for better understanding of fixing.