Twin sets and stuff like that

[Sparky750]

Not too sure where to post this so if it needs moving please move it.
Last nights club night got me thinking and also the thread about diving quarry's my SAC is quite high being new to the sport etc and as most on here seem to dive twins i feel that i can't go on YD gigs in case i shorten someone else's dive and feel a muppet. Chatting to a few club members last night it became apparent that nobody dives twins or has any desire to do so in the club. How do i learn then do i just buy the stuff jump in and hope for the best or did you actually train with an agency etc I'm not thinking of doing it right now until i've got a bit more experience i was just looking at how i can progress my diving hopefully later this year as i'm trying to get in as many dives this year as i can.

[Mal Bridgeman]

There are three routes I would suggest...

1) Teach yourself
2) Get a knowledgable mate to help
3) Do a Twinset Fundamentals class with a knowledgable Instructor.

I would strongly recommend the third option. If you can, choose one who can lend you a range of twinsets, wings etc so you can find out what suits you before you commit to buy anything.

Mal

[big_si]

The way I progressed was to just go for it. I was diving with a group of people who were also all on twins and so I had a lot of knowledge / experience that I could draw on and learn from. Then it was plenty of playing around in the shallower bits of puddles to get used to it and learn my new buoyancy before doing more involved missions.

I'm SURE that if you were to head down that route at sometime and put out a request for a bit of help from a fellow YD'er then you would DEFINITELY get some assistance and advice and buddyship for some learning dives.

[kath2407]

Originally Posted by Sparky750

i feel that i can't go on YD gigs in case i shorten someone else's dive and feel a muppet.

For starters get THIS out of your head!!!

Everyone has to learn at some point and different people have different SAC's - it s just life!

I'm sure there'll be a friendly YD-er along in your area to help shortly.

Unfortunately I'm brand new to my twins too but when we've both got it sorted if you fancy a dive give me a shout.

K XX

[Digger]

Steve,

There's quite a lot more to it than that.

For a start you don't have to dive twin on YD gigs, and there are many many gigs where you'd be mad to dive a twinset (shore diving some places and trips like the Farnes) but some do, me included. But you won't limit anyone's dive by doing it, and you will always find someone on the boat who doesn't mind. Or at least post you're on a single and need someone else doing similar for your own peace of mind, and you'll get it.

If youw ant to go to Capers etc for a dive or two and a bit of a play in twins (totally informally mind you, it's just a dive with two people, and if you happen to buy me lunch we didn't agree that in advance etc) then I am happy to do the drills I did when I got a set, you can watch and if you choose to copy me then you're more than welcome.

I also spend a lot of time with people discussing and working on equipment configuration and choice of gear, and I'm happy to look at how you're rigging things and try and help if required.

Open offer to the board really. I'm game. Weekends are my normal, but I can do some Mondays/Fridays in the next few months.

Digs.

EDIT - Please note I am not an instructor nor will I be instructing. I will explain what I do and why I do it, have a bit of a poke at your stuff and try and be constructive, then we're a bunch of mates going for a dive. That siad, I have seen a great many courses and divers playing with twins and stages etc and know the common pitfalls. Some of them I still make myself

[Prometheus]

This is the reason that last year I did the Swanage bimble , I felt that there were a number of people including me who just wanted a fairly shallow no deco dive, as it happened we had a great weekend, finishing with Swanage pier which I missed , so will have to go back for another go.

[chrisch]

Originally Posted by Sparky750

... as most on here seem to dive twins i feel that i can't go on YD gigs in case i shorten someone else's dive and feel a muppet. ...

Twins are for deep diving not for poor SAC. Please get the hang of single tank diving first. To dive twins properly you need several more skills like valve shutdowns. Its much better to be comfortable in the water first.

Anyone that moans about a new diver cuting short a dive due to high breathing rates is a muppet, not the new diver. The biggest muppets of all are the twinset divers doing 15m dives in Stoney..

Chill out and relax. The SAC will come - not if you worry about it though. Just dive and have fun.

Chris

[Ian@1904]

I have done many YD trips with my humble 15 ltr, and pony. There are some heavy breathers on YD that requires twinsets for single dives. Twinsets are often a fashion statement for those people wanting back problems.
As suggested if you are diving the Farnes a twinset is overkill. Two seperate cylinders for a days diving is plenty. [note to self, you have just agreed with Digger ]
I have twins because on a typical south coast dive day I like loads of gas for my first dive say 35m, but don't need much for the drift dive.


Ian
Fashion victim

[recurve]

Worst case scenario, even if you don't learn how to do shut downs etc, twins are just the same as a big single.

Twins (IMHO) are nicer to dive, more comfortable, more balanced, and when coupled to a nice simple wing and back plate are about the nicest buoyancy control system there is.

So nothing to lose by going down the twin route, except perhaps having to put up with the words of the 'nay-sayers' who will tell you that it'll all end in tears.

If you DO have the opportunity to get instruction, informal or formal, take it, and then your brill diving rig will also become a fully functional redundant system potential life saver.

Just my two Drachmas

[sean0801]

Steve, all my divin has been on single 15 and pony so far. 3 years after starting my divin i'm just about to strap on my twin 12's because i want to be doin slightly deeper for longer dives. All the YD gigs i've been on there has always been a variety of kit configurations and levels of experience. I've always been included and looked after very well by DM's on a single, DIR boys all in black or the rebreather crowd with their boxes of death.
Best advice i could give you is just be straight about your level of experience before you get on a gig and you WILL be looked after and definately not be made to feel out of place.

Call me fat again an i'll kick yer face in