What image?

[Lou]

There isn't a real point to this thread, it is more an unloading of some of the thoughts that have been rattling around in my hed for a few weeks.

I haven't been able to dive since the end of September when I injured my knee. I don't know when I will be able to start diving again, but one thing has become clear, and that is that when I do start, I will have to dive a single tank setup for a while.

Initially I didn't think anything of this, except that it was a sensible thing to do. However, thinking about it more it has evoked a range of emotions in me, that I find hard to understand or justify.

The first impact is depth. I am not a depth chaser by any stretch of the imagination, but over the last 18 months to 2 years I have enjoyed some of what I class "deeper" dives - those in the 30m-45m bracket. These are he dives that i moved up to twin 12's for, and for which I took a couple of TDI courses and began doing deco. I still love the shallow bimbly diving as much as I ever did, but these dives were an extra challenge for me. That alone, however, does not explain to me why I feel annoyed and frustrated that they will be out of me reach again for a while.

Next there is kit set-up. I have not dived a single in the UK since I bought my twinset, nearly 3 years ago. The only time I have used one since then is on holiday. Now I have to ask myself how i will set up kit, in order to keep diving within my new "mind-set" for acceptable limits and all that this entails. Do I still "believe" in the use of a pony for bail-out? I don;t really know. If I do, then should I fork out for a new one, or just limit my depth to dives that I don't consider needing one? Again, quetions I haven't considered for a long while, that I thought by now the answers would come easily to me for. well, they do when it is someone else asking the question, after all.

So maybe it is the final bit that ties it all together, and that I am too ashamed to even consider. Do I no longer want to be seen as a "single tank diver"? It is ludicrous, but maybe in the back of my mind is something that makes me feel like I am going backwards. Maybe the "YD effect" can even have an insidious effect on those of us who should know better. I can't even put together a reasona s to why I might feel this way. I am not even sure that I do feel that way - I suppose without getting on a boat in my single tank, amogst 11 twinset wearers I can't really know, but it does feel odd.

On the bright side, I do get some new gear to make the change with

So, as I started, a bunch of rambling, but perhaps there is something to consider - how many other YD-ers would feel "odd" about losing their twins, or their CCRs and starting single tank diving again, full time?

[Digger]

I feel that the image of the twinset diver is preserved by use of an H valve, and lots of comments along the lines of not wanting to swap regs over for the twins etc.

It also gives you the redundancy you require, and does in fact make it much easier in not having to make big changes to your setup.

Personally I would suggest twin 7s. It says "I need a twinset for the diving I do, but my SAC is shit hot"

I would also suggest sidemounts. THey allow you to split the weight you are carrying to and from the boat, and also allow you to put your gear on seconds before diving. They also have the cool factor, making peoiple think you're some sort of hardcore cave diver or wreck ferret.

I think I should be the YD Trinny and Suzanna. He and Howard P could do a lovely job, with him pointing out the dangling gear and hoses, and me making suggestions about unconventional ways of making a statement with your gear, whilst grabbing boobies a lot. Howard will be allowed to grab boobies as well, but only while making protestations about not enjoying it. I will be enjoying it.

Digs.

[Digger]

We could call it "How not to rig..."

[Fiona]

You can't do the bloody Salsette on a single 12 women

What is all this talk of a single, get the operation done some rehabilitation and straight back to the kit you are familiar with.

[tom]

I did some dives on a single this year, and it was great. Not having to lug the bloody twinset around was really nice.

My single rig is 15 with H valve and 3l sideslung pony, on a smaller wing. For many dives (especially shallower ones) it's a more appropriate tool than a twinset IMHO. I don't think an H valve provides enough redundancy (it's harder to shut down than a twinset) so still prefer to carry the pony.

All my other kit and my general approach were still exactly the same. No reason why you should be any different. As far as a pony goes - what size stage bottle do you have? if it's a 7 then that could be pressed into service quite nicely.

Obviously the kind of diving you do will be different for a while (and you may find yourself on less 'techy' boats where a lot of others are on singles too). Treat it like a holiday!

[Digger]

I thought Caroline had a 7l as well? Perfect set. Mmmm... Sidemounted ally 7s... Like a rig from the gods....

[Adrian Kelland]

Originally Posted by Fiona

You can't do the bloody Salsette on a single 12 women

What is all this talk of a single, get the operation done some rehabilitation and straight back to the kit you are familiar with.

It was probably found by divers on a single 10 pumped to a whopping 150 bar

[Fiona]

Originally Posted by Adrian Kelland

It was probably found by divers on a single 10 pumped to a whopping 150 bar

True Adrian but don't forget she has to have enough gas for the rest of team Mafia

[tom]

Originally Posted by Fiona

True Adrian but don't forget she has to have enough gas for the rest of team Mafia

If you were a better buddy you'd be more considerate and breathe less

[Lou]

Side-mounted Ali 7's - I like the sound of that - not one to run with convention & all!

As for straight back to twin 12's, Fiona. not abloody chance. Wouldn't want to risk it for starters!

I hadn't even thought of an H valve to be honest, so that is a good point. Get a couple of H valves and whack them in the 12's. Not sure I could shut one down mind...how different is it to reaching the isolator on a manifold?

The thing is that once I go with a single 12 and then a 7l stage, i end up almost back to twin 12's weight. The idea is to not have to wear so much weight on the boat for a bit!

So, a single 12, and limiting depth feels most sensible, but sort of like I am back to primary school