argon bottle part 2

[Mal Bridgeman]

It feels wrong to me to dive a cylinder whose valve I cannot operate.

You have a back up plan with a stage and extra whip. That said a failure on the first stage is more likely at the start of a dive so you'd probably can the dive anyway.

I don;t know how you are mounting the cylinder but it's easy to mount it so you can operate it and keep the d ring free for stages.
Mal

[Clare]

1.how many people who mount their Argon bottle the correct way :>) (i.e. upside down) can actually hand on heart say that they can reach it first time every time AND have it mounted in such a way that it does not interfere with their stage clips?

Of course. I dive enough stages to have tested it in all scenarios - never had an issue with a stage.

Your left D ring has nothing to do with a well mounted argon bottle. Do mount it low enough on the backplate though ad route the hose up under your belt though - that way it is not in your way.

Have I missed anything ?

I don't see what you have gained at the cost of being able to turn the valve. Turning it on is quite important if you've inadvertently left it off - or not on enough to work at depth. The low flow rate of most argon regs means that they will work if half on for about 30 odd meters then stop giving gas.

Has damn all to do with whether you are DIR or not. If you take gas underwater, and I guess you want a suit inflation bottle as you are doing overhead dives (either trimix with deco or wreck pen) it's nice to be able to get at the valve.

I'll say again - if you can reach it both ways do whatever suits you best - but why turn it if it means you can't reach it in the new position?

[Sonicthediver]

Hands up all those who have tried to jump in then found there unit/twinset/cylinder is still atteched to the boat, despite the most carful preperation.

Be honest now.........

[Hobbsy]

Hands up all those who have tried to jump in then found there unit/twinset/cylinder is still atteched to the boat, despite the most carful preperation.

Be honest now.........

YouTube - Jeff Cornish - Top Technical Diver