Cylinders for UK caves?

[pchanning]

Hello everyone,

The time has come to do some caving in the dirty 'orrible sumps of the UK.

In sorting out my kit, I have just to finalise on what cylinders would be most appropriate v's what I have already got (all ali: 40, 7L and an 80)

I notice that steel 7's have been favoured, I geuss for the optimum balance between high psi and size.

Would you use ali 40's or 80's for caves in the Mendips and Wales?

Thanks in advance.

Cheers
Paul

[Sheff diver]

Originally Posted by pchanning

Would you use ali 40's or 80's for caves in the Mendips and Wales?

No. Steel are far preferable if you are dragging them underground. Cylinder size always depends upon where you are going and how long the dive is.

Remember: "Always use the largest cylinders practicable rather than the smallest cylinders possible" - don't learn the hard way.

Marcus

[AMW]

From my own point of view no steel is better much more bump resistance and in larger cylinders less buoyancy problems. A range with two of each 3li/5li/7li are a good mix of sizes 232 Bar or 300Bar.
Andrew

[Sheff diver]

Originally Posted by AMW

A range with two of each 3li/5li/7li are a good mix of sizes 232 Bar or 300Bar.

Not many places underground that I would really want to lug 300 bar 7s!! 300 bar 3s can certainly have a place.

Marcus

[AMW]

I would really want to lug 300 bar 7s!

You just need to get on your bike and build up more muscles

Even better is a side mount RB

Andrew

[pchanning]

Right, so big is good and the bouyancy shift of ali is an issue.

So, a lead weight on the back of an ali? Pendinf how far I am comfortable carrying 2 ali 80's.

I could wrap the ali cylinders with plastic mesh and inner tubes. What do you guys think to that, i know ali is 'soft'

Funny, I figured steel were better, paticularly as when the boots are off, that nice round bottom makes it easy to slip into the holes...

...oops sorry, wrong forum.


Anyway, I was also thinking of hacking up a builders helmet and getting me bungee out. Is that in the spirit of cave divers, or will I be regarded as a right pikey, or is it one of the same

Cheers
Paul

[Duncan Price]

When I started sump diving i was advised to have cylnders in multiples of two and doubling sizes i.e: 3/4 l, 7 l, 12/15 l. This has stood me well thru 15 years though I now have: 2x2 3x3 6x4 4x5 8x7 2x10 3x12 and 2x15 many of which are underground at the start of sumps. 7's are the workhorse for UK cave diving, 3/4's for shorter sumps and 12/15's for longer UK dives and the continent. All are steel and the smaller tanks often used as stages.

I've got 11 Cyclon 300's too.


ukcaving.com contains a debate about the worth of 300 bar v.s 232 bar cylinders.

[Sheff diver]

Originally Posted by Duncan Price

I've got 11 Cyclon 300's too.

That's just plain greedy!! (but it makes me feel better!!)


Marcus

[pchanning]

I split a set of 300bar 7's and sidemounted them when I first bought a twinset - as I hated it so much. I used an old Buddy Tekwing and found sidemounting to be very comfortable. Kitting up was a joy, using ones backup reg (confidence).

I still think it was the most comfortable kit configuration I have had. However, I never liked those 300bar 7's, they used to look like they wanted to pull you into the deep!!!!!

I am looking forward to it Thanks for the advice chaps.

Cheers
Paul

[NotDeadYet]

300bar 7's are quite useful in accessible caves where you don't have much of a carry. I really like the weighting, I can get away with no lead.

I've got 3's, 7's, 12's and a few vague ex-BA bottles that are probably around the 5 or 6l mark, though I quite fancy a pair of Faber 5's as they are quite compact.

I wouldn't bother with ally, they really do take a battering, I have one AL80 that I doubt would pass test now as it has had such a battering.

Cheers,

Stuart