A question of regulators.

[Finless]

Would ALL DIR divers please not read this as I'm sure I will feel you shuddering with shock across the ether.

My dilemma is - how many regs should I have.

I dive a twin set with manifold and isolator. Sometimes I have an extra cylinder for deco.

Because I use a FFM (not negotiable - don't waste your typing time ) with a 2 way gas switch I have some connection considerations that would not normally trouble mere normal mortal divers.

I have managed to get everything set up so that:-

1. If diving just the twin set I close the manifold and use the gas switch to alternate between cylinders - a complicated version of the twin indies.

2. If using a deco mix I take the first stage from my twin set left post and put it on the deco cylinder. I have an extra set up for the twin set left post which is totally uninvolved with the FFM.

3. A key consideration in the set up is that I do not have to remove/add hoses to the first stages when switching between 2 or 3 cylinders.

Bearing in mind that I quite often solo it, is having a reg on every post necessary (in addition to my FFM)?

As you can imagine, things get a bit cluttered which I alleviate by having one reg necklaced and my spare deco reg bungied to the cylinder (easy to pull out but wastes quite a lot of gas if it freeflows when getting in - happened once).

My opinion is if it goes badly wrong with the FFM I want to be sure I can breath of any post in case of a further problem. Is this OTT or .....

For your information I have made little potato images of all the regular YD poster and have plenty of pins - I shall decide on what is funny and what isn't - you WILL know if you overstep the mark!

ps: I have plenty of spare poatoes!

[chrisch]

1st or 2nd stages?

Bryan I don't claim to understand a word of what you wrote, but you should have a std. reg if the FFM goes AFU and an AAS if the buddy goes OMG.

Chris

[Finless]

Originally Posted by chrisch

Bryan I don't claim to understand a word of what you wrote,

F*ck it - I spent ages putting that into understand ...........

My FFM works off two gas sources. In addition I have an alternate reg on each cylinder.

Is that too many extra regs?

[Juz]

I think the only thing I might do differently is when twing Twindies.

Rather than switch tanks on the FFM, why not just open, equalise and close the manifold every 50-75 bar.

Juz

[chrisch]

Originally Posted by Finless

F*ck it - I spent ages putting that into understand ...........

My FFM works off two gas sources. In addition I have an alternate reg on each cylinder.

Is that too many extra regs?

I'm gonna guess at this. You have a feed from the back gas and a feed from the deco bottle and a redundant reg on the back gas and the deco? (An alternate reg on each of the two tanks on your back is silly...)


If that's what you mean I don't see how else to do it. If the FFM goes titsup and you need to deco as well. Unless the spare 2nd stage can come off the gas block.....

Don't you have anything to do today?

Chris

[Finless]

Originally Posted by Juz

I think the only thing I might do differently is when twing Twindies.

Rather than switch tanks on the FFM, why not just open, equalise and close the manifold every 50-75 bar.

Juz

I thought about that - but not for very long (although it would speed up the reflexes a bit). Also, I could leave the manifold open and not touch the switch.

After my big diving cock up a few+ years ago when I dived breathing of the pony (80%) at 30 mtrs until it ran dry and things went worse from there on, I reached 3 post dive conclusions:-

1. I was complete twat.
2. It is essential to have a set up that does not involve addition and removal of hoses from the first stages for different dives.
3. Do 'breath down' tests before each dive to ensure the gas I'm breathing through the FFM is from the correct cylinder.

TBH, I am now so familiar with my set up that point 2 is more 'preferable' than 'essential'.

In my situation would you bother having a bailout reg on the deco gas?

As I am breathing from the FFM is it necessary to have a bailout reg on each post?

I decided yes to all the above because I need to cover for me and a buddy (even though soloing quite often).

If I worried about failure points (2 quick connect hoses, 3 or 4 swivel connectors, 8 gazillion hoses) I would be a nneerrrrvvoouusssuuss wreck with repppeetttiittiiittiivve typing syndrome .

[chrisch]

Originally Posted by chrisch

Bryan I don't claim to understand a word of what you wrote, .....

Apart from point 1.

Chris

[Finless]

Originally Posted by chrisch

Quote:
Originally Posted by chrisch
Bryan I don't claim to understand a word of what you wrote, .....


Apart from point 1.

Chris

Chris,

No no no no, you've got that all wrong.

You meant to say you understood everything APART from point 1, which is obviously untrue. FFS - PAY ATTENTION!

Oh well, let me explain.

2. I nearly killed myself due to rewiring the kit before a dive and various subsequent stupid mistakes.

3. I think I need, besides my FFM, 2 spare regs on the twin set - one for me and one for my buddy if it turns out to be a really bad day.

I don't remember who asked but, yes, I was very bored this afternooon!