cant reach my isolation manifold

[hebails]

I have recently purchased twin 12's. Banded & manifolded which I have bolted to my OMS twin bladder wing. I have adjusted the bands both up & down the cylinders to adjust the height, relative to my head, that the manifold sits. When I try to reach back to turn the valve on and off it seems that the gap between the manifold and my shoulder blades is too far.
If I push my arm back with my other arm I can just about touch it but not turn it.
Does anyone have a similar experience as I did not think I was that inflexible.
I am looking for a way to adjust the position of the cylinders to try and bring the manifold closer to my neck.
Cheers

[MATTBIN]

Other options are a slob knob ,or heresay invert them.
I believe there is a knack in how you move your arm back also, cant recall if its forwards then back or sideways and back, someone will come along who remembers. Then again others will say its your undersuit or dry suit, so many variables. Certainly mine are now more difficult since I had a new (heavy duty) zip fitted.

Are you actually doing this in water or on land, there is a big difference in flexibility dry/wet.

Alternatively go on a Twinset course, they (the instructor) may spot the problem instantly, I hear Mark Powell does a decent course (resident YD man).

Matt

[David]

Originally Posted by hebails

I have recently purchased twin 12's. Banded & manifolded which I have bolted to my OMS twin bladder wing. I have adjusted the bands both up & down the cylinders to adjust the height, relative to my head, that the manifold sits. When I try to reach back to turn the valve on and off it seems that the gap between the manifold and my shoulder blades is too far.
If I push my arm back with my other arm I can just about touch it but not turn it.
Does anyone have a similar experience as I did not think I was that inflexible.
I am looking for a way to adjust the position of the cylinders to try and bring the manifold closer to my neck.
Cheers

is this in the water or on dry land

[hebails]

this is just in a t-shirt in my house.
Not going to get in the water till I can do the shutdown so I imagine it will be even harder in full undersuit and drysuit

[Dangerous Dan]

silly question but is the isolator know pointing towards the back of your head or away from it?

Dan

[Dangerous Dan]

Originally Posted by hebails

this is just in a t-shirt in my house.
Not going to get in the water till I can do the shutdown so I imagine it will be even harder in full undersuit and drysuit

I can't touch mine on dry land but can turn them all in the water, try it in the water first.

Dan

[hebails]

towards the back of my head

[MATTBIN]

Originally Posted by hebails

this is just in a t-shirt in my house.
Not going to get in the water till I can do the shutdown so I imagine it will be even harder in full undersuit and drysuit

Not necessarily, also see my answer(s) above.

Matt

[neilh]

Is it the isolator that you're having trouble reaching? Most people set things up so the isolator is angled forward at around 45 degrees and if you tip your head back you can feel the isolator on the back of your head. If you can't do that then you might need to look at how the bands and manifold are set up. Once you've done that then if you can reach the back of your head with your hands you should have no problem.

If not, then I think you're going to struggle

[hebails]

ok might be worth going to the local training lake this weekend and having a try.
Thanks for the help