DIR stage rigging

[Dinger]

Why is it that the DIR lot only rig stages on the one side - is it simply because of the torcch canister on the lower rhs or is it for another reason?  And how do they stick them all on one side - do they attach a lower tank to the one above or all on the one d-ring.  Is there a site out there that will demonstrate the stage rigging - most seem to just show how to rig the bottle but not where/how to attach the thing.  Just wondering
Cheers
Dinger

[Dominic]

Makes it easier to corner when scootering.

Obviously, only caves with left-hand turns are DIR

Long hose deployment & cannister light are the main ones. I seem to recall somebody saying it was only really a relevant rule for scootering..

[And]

<font color='#000080'>

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (Dominic @ Nov. 21 2003,16:04)]Makes it easier to corner when scootering.

Obviously, only caves with left-hand turns are DIR

Long hose deployment &amp; cannister light are the main ones. I seem to recall somebody saying it was only really a relevant rule for scootering..

Hi

This is for up to two tanks at a time and the reasons for them being on the left hand side are, in no particular order;

1. Long Hose deployment, whilst not using the bottles but just carrying them, is totally free of obstruction.
2. Regulator Hose routing is the same for each stage/deco bottle and the same as for the long hose, round the neck and in the mouth from the right, so an OOG incident is dealt with in exactly the same way. This has an added benefit as all the regs, hoses etc. are interchangeable. No need for left hand regs or different hose lengths. If your shallow deco gas reg fails, you can swop them around.
3. More streamlined, as the tanks, when correctly rigged will tuck in and prevent the 'gorilla' effect.
4. Canister light routing, as the light head is in the left hand, the cord runs from right to left out of the way of the stages and the light head can be clipped off to the right DRing which is uncluttered. The position of the canister light is instrumental as it balances the rig when wearing stages, more relevant before NIMH batteries as the old canisters where massive!
5. Scooter driving, as you drive a scooter with your right hand the right hand side of you body is streamlined to minimise turbulence caused by the propwash. It does not influence cornering per se.

The person who says that it was only relevant for scooter driving hasn't understood properly and probably does the 'lean left, rich right' thing and they are of course entitled to their opinion.

Sometimes DIR divers, particularly cave, will carry more than two bottles in which case they are noseclipped to the left hip DRing.

Hope that helps. I may have missed something but I am sure some helpful person will come along soon and point out any omission

Andy

[Dinger]

Cheers wet lettuce - in your opinion could a long hose in a hogarthian loop be properly deployed if the diver had stages rigged on the rhs as well as lhs or would the rhs stage completely get in the way
Cheers mate
Dinger

[And]

<font color='#000080'>Hi

If the right hand stage is clipped to the right chest DRing and then a hip DRing placed on the right hand side then yes, it will be in the way. The initial phase will be fine giving you 4-5ft of hose but then when you wish to free the rest of the hose you would have to get it round the stage which would be a PITA to say the least.

I'm assuming its a 7ft hose. You might be able to use a 5ft hose straight under the right arm but then that may interfere with deploying the stage (which again is a bit of a mess as you would need a shorter LP hose or wrap it round your neck in a choke hold). A 5ft hose is not DIR though, and it is much better to have a longer hose (at least thats what the girls say ).

Andy

[Dinger]

Maybe just bind the thing to my tank with bungee - not very DIR but to be honest i'm not that keen on having both stages on the one side but maybe i should just give it a shot - you any tips in the rigging then for me wet lettuce
Cheers mate
Dinger

[And]

<font color='#000080'>Hi

Dinger, I don't know what kit you have so I wouldn't like to 'recommend' anything. I can provide an opinion which you may choose to take on board or ignore.

I rig mine the DIR way and instead of fannying about with bits of string and the 'helpful' staff at B&amp;Q I just choose to buy the Halcyon rigging kits. Probably costs an extra tenner but it saves me half a day of running around.

I use aluminium stages and have used two 7's at once. I have to say I didn't notice any real difference even though I did expect to have to compensate in some way. I'm expecting two AL80's from the states in the next month or so and then I'll try with two AL80s and a 7Ltr. Ask me then.

Hope that helps

Andy

[Dinger]

Cheers Andy i'll give it a shot anss see what happens - the only point is - do you attach both stages to the same d-rings - would have thought that a bit awkward for stage removal ? i'll give it s shot though mate and see how I get on.
Cheers mate
Dinger

[Mark Chase]

I for one will be interested to here of your experiences in the attempt to run this rig.

Stages left has always been a problem area with me. I started out with DIR as a blue print so I started off diving stages left. I found trim and balance to be a big problem and I spent a lot of time in a puddle trying to move bits of lead about to compensate. Trouble was when I dived with one stage or no stages my rig had to be altered to suit

Rigging the two stages on the nipple and hip D rings was another pet hate and re connecting the bottom tank under water was a major pain in the ass. I actually completed one dive with the dammed thing hanging from the nipple D ring allow because I totally failed to re connect it to the hip ring.

Then one day I was diving with a very respected dive buddy on a trip out of Brighton. He dived rich right, lean left. Hw watched me select a reg, trace the hose back to the tank, identify the tank and switch the gas on and he rolled his eyes to heaven. He then asked me to watch him. He shut his eyes, reached down to the left grabbed the reg and stuck it in his mouth. Job done.

Back on the boat we de kitted and he came over and said, you carry on diving all stage tanks on the left and one day you will screw up and stick the wrong reg in your mouth.

I liked the idea of lean left rich right and I tried it out in my local puddle. The safety issues were blatantly obvious and the trim and balance problems vanished. I now never have to add or move lead to trim my rig I dive the same 4kg in the same place every dive no matter what rig I fly.

Tank analysis, reg mounting and tank locating are done on the boat before we leave the harbour. My rig is set up and the tanks clipped in their correct place. This makes kitting up easier as well and don’t mention standing up on the boat. Both tanks on the same side makes for some dodgy walks to the exit point I can tell you.

Clipping and un clipping tanks during the dive is no longer a hassle and all in all I struggle to find a down side with the lean left rich right rig. As for the long hose I just bungee that on the wing or down the side of the tank. There is an argument for what to do with the long hose after a temporary deployment but the answer is a temporary hog loop but this has happened to me outside training a total of errrrrrrr never. Every time I have deployed the long hose (twice) it has stayed deployed till we hit the surface.

I am sure the dedicated DIR &nbsp;lads will state my lack of skill and training as the reason for my problems. They are probably correct. That said why should I practice a method of diving that is reliant on a high degree of skill to perfect. Surely this indicates a problem area that will surface to cause a problem in high stress situations??

No I believe in KISS.

Keep It Simple Stupid

ATB

Mark Chase

[Pierre Farrugia]

<font color='#0000FF'>Hello,

Mark toatlly agree with Mark with rich right and lean left you cannot make an error. Also balance is perfect like this and about the long hose I pass it under my arm and DIR style. At the end is all diver preference and what you think is right for you. Also for both stages mounted DIR I don't think you can do it with steel?? or I am wrong due to trim.

I would suggest to try both and then you rell us what is best, you just have to unclip a cylinder from right and put it on left side

Regards

Pierre