Rigging multiple side slungs on one side

James

Hi all.

My problem is how to rig multiple side slungs on one side. Currently I dive with two side slungs, (lean / bottom mix to the left & rich to the right). This becomes an issue if I want to take the video camera as it would get mashed by my right hand side side slung as I rig it on the right hand side like a stage.

So what are people doing as regards to which cylinder on first? I was thinking of putting the rich mix on first with the bottom mix side slung on next. This hopefully would make getting to the DV on the bottom mix cylinder easy as it on top of the other side slung. I also figured that for removal the bottom mix will come off first / would be in greater demand compared with the deco mix, if you had to offload it to your buddy (assuming you haven't lost him ), etc.

I know a few people out there run their side slungs on the left any way as a matter of course, any thoughts are greatly appreciated.

James.

decoweenie

If you put both stages on the left instead of bi-lateral, let's define them as left tank (outside, left-most) and right tank (inside, right-most) since it is more descriptive instead of first-on and second-on.

For cave diving or any similar environment where you could/would drop a stage at the entrance or on the way in for deco on exit, I put those stages on the outside (left tanks) since it is easier to remove them first.

For other environments where I don't leave my stages, bottom mix is already on the inside (right tank) since I could get to it faster with either hand as it is more important in an actual bail-out. For the deco stage, eveyone would have plenty of time to prepare for its deployment.

If diving with 3 stages in a cave, most likely that the 3rd tank is O2 so I nose-clip that since I will only travel a short distance and it could be unclip very fast to leave on the line.

The point to stress is whichever the sequence, everyone in the team needs to be aware of. And it is better that everyone follows the same sequence.

Of course, it goes without saying that all stages are clearly marked of their MOD.

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cameron

I would not get to caught up in which one is on top and then do your switch from that. It is VERY EASY to mix up a switch when you are just going by position on the body. Keep a large marking that indicates the mix close to the neck of the bottle so you can visualy see the mix you are putting in your mouth. In a bad loop situation, this can suck as it takes some time, but breathing the wrong mix is ten times more....sucky?? Why I like the OC/DSV thing. Gives some time to sort out the next mix, even if it is only two breaths...

decoweenie

I think it was mentioned on the last paragraph of my post about labelling...

Marking is of course required. However, there could be times when you can't see the marking and force to know which tank containing which gas (i.e. silt-out, light failure, etc).

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James

Looks like I'm going to have to have a play to make up my mind & see how things fit. Running the camera on the right and the single stage on the left was no problems, so its going to be intresting to see what the balance is like (in fresh water). Since all of my diving requires me to carry my deco gas, I guess its going to be a case of seeing which way round the tanks need to be clipped on for the easiest access to my bottom gas.

Thanks for the comments ,

James.

cameron

I think we were typing at the same time

decoweenie

James,

Keep in mind now that you are clipping both stages on the same side, the size/shape of the stages will be even more important.

The usual widely available AL 40cf(5L) tanks found in the US are very nice, compact and have excellent buoyancy characteristics full or empty.

If you need larger capacity, I have not found anything better than the Luxfer 7L/232bar AL tanks that I got from Sea&Sea in the UK years ago. Same compactness and excellent buoyancy characteristics as the 40cf.

Don't waste your money on the stubby, short tanks of the same capacity since they will be A LOT more difficult to don on by yourself on surface. However, they will feel OK u/w except you have more "volume" to get around with your left arm.

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decoweenie

No problem...

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"...after a while you get bored offering advice to a bull that like to keep butting the fence with its head rather than walking through the open gate..."

- Rebreather World PM

James

2 Luxfer 7L/232bar AL tanks is what I use. If I need larger tanks than that I will be using a Luxfer 11lt alli tank in addition, which has the same charatictics as the 7lt, none of this wacky steel side slung buisness!

James.