Sidemount/Bailout Hose Lengths

ScubaDadMiami

When setting up sidemount bailout bottles, how long (if possible, in inches ) are you making your regulator hoses? I already have deco bottles and stage bottles configured from when I was diving on open circuit. However, I did not have them configured for sidemount but instead slung/clipped to my shoulder d-ring.

I am guessing that, because they will be riding somewhat farther back on my body in a sidemount configuration, the hoses will need to be a bit longer. Any good rule of thumb that you can suggest? By the way, I am likely to continue clipping them to the shoulder d-ring rather than hanging them on bungee coming from my backplate. I bought an Armadillo kit.

Once again, before any alarms go off here, I will discuss all of this with my instructor during training (currently scheduled for 01/15/06 if my buddy's Optima arrives in time). However, I do not want to be in the middle of my training while also waiting for the delivery of equipment and parts. (Well, at least, I would like to try to keep it to a minimum by having the vast majority of equipment selection and configuration done prior to starting my training. )

Thanks again.

SDM

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Howard Packer
IANTD CCR Instructor
Miami Beach, Florida
CCRDiveTraining.com

jradomski

I sling all my bailout bottles.. My regs are usually on 40inch hoses so that I can usually wrap it aroung my neck (for left bottle) and breath like a conventional tank instead of having it pull from front, and this leaves enough for the right side bottle to be confortable as well..


I also have whips to plug in off board gases, these are 32 inches long.. this serves 3 purposes, one is that it allows easy connection to either counterlung (if necessary), enough to plug into someones loop if the just need some gas and dont want the bottle, and finally for me this length allows me to replace one of my onboard inspiration whips If I have a failure and dont have another spare.. On a trip I'd sacrifice the ability to plug in an offboard gas source (providing the margin of saftey is not effected for the dives I am planniing)

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Joe Radomski
CCR Trimix Instructor Trainer
ANDI Instructor Trainer Director #10

All posts are personal opinions and DO NOT reflect any affiliated agency unless specifically stated.

diverklondike

I sling my bailouts and use 7ft hoses.... Speaking from experiance it's nice to have the extra length when someone needs it in a "rush". I also have inflation hoses on every bottle as mentioned by Joe.

Dive Safe...

Mark

schford

Same for me.

Stuart

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jradomski

I though about the 7ft hoses but decided against them.. 40inch hoses let me hand it off quite reasonably and it forces the diver to stay close to me until the situation is taken care of (or I hand off the bottle).. In the event of an Emergency I want to be able to assume control situation when necessary.. That means keeping the diver as close to me as possible..

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Joe Radomski
CCR Trimix Instructor Trainer
ANDI Instructor Trainer Director #10

All posts are personal opinions and DO NOT reflect any affiliated agency unless specifically stated.

schford

The reason we use 7 foot hoses is that if we were in a wreck in a narrow corridor we could pass between legs without needing to unclip hand off etc

Stuart

__________________
Bailout and Kit Management account for Murphy's Law

The only bad question is one you did not ask and later wish you had.

Use of Rebreather World is subject to the Rebreather World Terms & Conditions of Use

wizbang

I stage on both sides and use std length 2nd stage hoses.
I also have BC hoses on both regs, one for dry suit and one for offboard (which goes to the manifold for everything else).
I also run pony gauges on both regs which will be a sh*te load harder to see when I start sidemounting them.

jradomski

Never minded a handoff, even with heavy gloves it takes no time to free up the bottle and clip it off to the other diver (assuming you are using a reasonable sized stage clip).... I don't mind sharing a 7ft hose when it comes from behind and above me, but comming off a stage isnt a great position.. I DID do a few drills and didn't like it.. I do alot of wreck penetrations and I holehearted agree the long hose is necessary for OC twins, but bottles carried for bailout should handed off to the one in need..

When I dive with fixed bailouts I use a 5ft hose, since its about the longest hose I can cleanly stow..

If it comes down to a guy having to use the stage long term I'd rather have him in control of the stage at that point.. For the imediate help he has to be near me and th 40in hoses work well..

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Joe Radomski
CCR Trimix Instructor Trainer
ANDI Instructor Trainer Director #10

All posts are personal opinions and DO NOT reflect any affiliated agency unless specifically stated.

dalegray

Hardly dare say this, but I use 3 foot hoses as if you carry all your own bailout there should be no need to share.

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Philippe GERIN

I just started to do the same so take my word for what it's worth i.e. just a few hours of trials and a few sessions of drills.
I keep the same length (40in) as for a sling and it's works great for me but I have a CK with a BOV so I can take a few breaths OC from the onboard while getting to my sidemount reg. I started using the Armadillo kit and clip the tank neck on the shoulder D-ring but I did't see any + vs standard sling. I now prefer to use the back bungees. The camband or jubilee needs to be higher on the tank for sidemount vs sling otherwise it makes it difficult to clip-unclip the tank from the butt attachment as it's too tight with AL30's. It might be OK with AL80's but I haven't tried yet. The reg is stowed lower on the tank than with a sling so in the water (horizontal or vertical) the reg is stowed slightly at the same level as my leg pocket so if I can reach my pocket, I can reach the reg without looking.
Basically I use the same set-up as described in the Armadillo manual except for the suit and BC inflator hoses: suit is from a separate 6cft and BC from on-board. The RHS tanks has a QC whip to CK manifold for off-board dil.
Note that I'm still playing with this set-up and I might change a few things in the close future. Don't hesitate to let us know about your own set-up and experience as we might benefit from it too.
Best
Philippe