Deco stage set up

[Whoji]

Originally Posted by videogirl

I am currently doing a Nitrox Decompression course and am looking at possible stage set ups for my deco gas. I currently dive with a single cylinder (12l) and a pony. I potentially may switch to a twin set at some point in the next year or so.

What would people recommend as a stage set up for deco? Does anyone use a 3l deco cylinder attached with a clamp on the other side of the cylinder (2 pony set up?)

TBH im suprised this hasnt been covered in the course your doing.

To get to the depths / time that you would be deco obligated, well with a single 12 it would be pretty much a bounce dive.

Twins is IMHO the safest way if you are looking at deco.

May I ask who you are doing your course with.

[MattS]

Originally Posted by videogirl

I am currently doing a Nitrox Decompression course and am looking at possible stage set ups for my deco gas. I currently dive with a single cylinder (12l) and a pony. I potentially may switch to a twin set at some point in the next year or so.

What would people recommend as a stage set up for deco? Does anyone use a 3l deco cylinder attached with a clamp on the other side of the cylinder (2 pony set up?)

Well yes I have seen it done but I personally do not see the point?

How much deco are you likely to do on a 12Ltr? Probably not a great deal. Could you avoid deco altogether by putting Nitrox in the 12Ltr? Probably yes.

Do the course. Do some dives with Nitrox in your 12Ltr. Then think about where you want to go next. I suspect you might want to buy a twinset before you need to carry a decompression stage at all.

[liamm]

when i did my course i was allowed to borrow a stage - this meant i could try steel vs ali. Better to rty before you buy . . . .

[pauldiving]

problem with hard mounting any deco gas at the rear is that you would have to dive with the gas on, this means gas would be avalable to breath past its MOD..

i have seen a skipper in cornwall dive the shuttle way using a 40cf- 15ltr- 40cf

he used this config to dive the rewa in 65mtrs.....

[DAFFY]

Originally Posted by pauldiving

problem with hard mounting any deco gas at the rear is that you would have to dive with the gas on, this means gas would be avalable to breath past its MOD..

i have seen a skipper in cornwall dive the shuttle way using a 40cf- 15ltr- 40cf

he used this config to dive the rewa in 65mtrs.....

not if the deco cylinder is inverted, then all you would do is prime the deco cylinder and turn the valve off

[Garf]

deco cylinder and a pony behind you?

This means that when swtiching regs, you cant vizually identify which one of the cylinders will allow you to decompress safely, and which one won't. Or alternatively which one is safe to breathe at the bottom in an emergency, and which one will probably kill you. Your buddies, who face the same decisions, would be in same position. Everyone is now dependant on the regs being precisely where they are supposed to be. The problem is that in an emegercy, things tend not to be.

what could possibly go wrong.

Do the course, listen to the instructor, and then make the purchase decisions. Any decent instructor will allow you to borrow/ try out different bottles anyway, and there are pros and cons of each bottle type and size that should be explained on the course.

[Johnny Boy]

what garf says. having a deco/stage bottle 'round the back' without being able to confirm what regs are where and what your about to breath off is a complete no no. you should be able to trace the hose of the deco reg back to the 1st stage and valve to confirm. an advanved nitrox/deco course will point this out very clearly.

[warmwaterdiver]

Originally Posted by DAFFY

not if the deco cylinder is inverted, then all you would do is prime the deco cylinder and turn the valve off

Originally Posted by Johnny Boy

what garf says. having a deco/stage bottle 'round the back' without being able to confirm what regs are where and what your about to breath off is a complete no no. you should be able to trace the hose of the deco reg back to the 1st stage and valve to confirm. an advanved nitrox/deco course will point this out very clearly.

not saying you should or shouldn't, I dive with an open mind, we don't all need to dive in "one" way, I believe in user choice

but if you can reach to turn the valve on, why can't you trace the hose routing to the reg?

[Johnny Boy]

true, you could trace the hose perhaps, but it's not ideal is it. surely its better with the deco bottle slung in the traditional manner. afterall, it works for thousands of divers. if it aint broke, don't fix it.

[DAFFY]

Originally Posted by Johnny Boy

what garf says. having a deco/stage bottle 'round the back' without being able to confirm what regs are where and what your about to breath off is a complete no no. you should be able to trace the hose of the deco reg back to the 1st stage and valve to confirm. an advanved nitrox/deco course will point this out very clearly.

mmm.........the bsac advanced nitrox course manual states and shows having a deco cylinder on the back and inverted which is then primed and the valve closed to prevent loss of gas so tend to disagree with the "no no" sentiment. As for confirming the regs, simple if I am using the cylinder for deco then the reg I use for deco is clipped on my left shoulder with a guard across the mouth piece. i have to point out that I do not have the experince that Garf has but this set up has worked for me.