Diving the Dolphin

firemandiver

Gary,

Glad to hear you finally got it wet. There are a couple of easy mods for comfort. Move the 27 to the right a little. It will give you a little more wiggle room for the ADV. You can also rotate the tank to provide the maximum reach for the hoses. I've been using the 27's from the start and have never had any problems with reach. Try loosening the velcro flaps when you button it up. That will give you maximum tidal volume and let the ADV settle a bit so it doesn't jab you in the back. If it still is troublesome, try sticking a piece of foam between the ADV and the flaps for padding. If it's still a PIA, a wing conversion may be your best option. I think you'll find the stock harness/BC less than friendly for a big guy anyway, and will start leaning to a wing/harness.

As for your SPG's. I never ran guages with whips. I put a pony bottle guage on each first stage. It makes for a very streamlined rig. I would verify the tank pressure prior to diving, and that was sufficent for me. I only used the 13's for bailout, so all I needed was to switch over and surface. Unless you have a major issue, 13cf is adequate for bailout from recreational depths. I didn't have the need to know the pressure as it was used, I just knew I had enough to surface. I've never actually had to bailout other than training.

I put my supply gas guage on a HP swivel and routed it under my left arm and clipped a mini retractor to my left chest buckle. Easy to find and snaps back everytime! I've also seen people route their SPG over the left shoulder and bunch it in with the inflator hose velcro strap. I had mine like that to begin with, but changed to the swivel. If you need to have your guages where you can see them, perhaps try one over each shoulder and clipped to the top D ring.

Hope this helps. FD

firemandiver

I forgot to address the mouthpiece issue. The stock unit sucks! I put a Seacure II on mine. I had to heat the "wrong" end a little to get it on, but I have had no issues at all. I've been diving with it all year. This subject has been beaten to death on RBW. A quick search for Seacure should give you all the info you can stand.

FD

GaryB

Thanks for all the info!!!

I do recall seeing entries on SeaCure mouthpieces. Was just curious if there are other mouthpieces available.

FD - I toyed with the idea getting rid of the SPG on the bailout, since the 42" hose is still too short. Will probably do that and go with a mini gauge directly on the reg.
On OC, I do run the console under my left arm, and clip to the lower right on my BC. Never did like it over the left shoulder.

Sailor - AL27's are about 20" (50 cm) long with the valve. I think the stock 28 is much shorter and bigger around (I would love to find one of the original tanks!!)
I'm definitely considering beefing up the bottom of the shell, as well as the top where the handle goes through.

Cheers!
Gary