Twin tanks and Long Hose Setup

[Roughwater]

Hi,

I'm looking for some advise on Twin Tank setups..

I've been diving in Twin independents for some time now. My setup normally consists of each reg coming off it's post and around my front, one from the left the other from the right. (I have side valve's, so I can come in from either side)

When I perform my gas checks, all I need to do is check which direction the hose is coming from, and then I know which SPG it relates to.

However, my diving practices have led me to the requirement of a long hose (7ft). At this stage I can see two options:

a) Have a rubber strap around the tank, and feed the house through and back again where it will be held unless needed, and pretty much dive the same, or

b) Wrap the long hose around my neck and have both regs come from the right.

I can see how (a) can work, but with (b) I'm not sure how I'm supposed to tell which SPG each reg relates to.

So - I'm after some ideas, advise and suggestions to the best setup in this situation.

Please keep in mind that these are twin independents, and are not a manifold setup. Manifold isn't an option at this point in time...

Cheers

Roughwater

[CompuDude]

Standard routing Rainer is referring to. You'd need to add a 2nd SPG to this setup on the right, though. (your right, while wearing the tanks, that is) Mirror image of hose #5.

[Roughwater]

Hi CompuDude,

Thanks for your post. I appreciate the time you've taken to write it up, but unfortunately what you have shown me is a manifold setup, and I'm chasing twin independent information.

I'm just wondering in the situation where you have a SPG going to the left, and another one to the right, but both hoses coming in over the right shoulder - how does one normally determine which Reg referrs to which hose?

(Or should I just go with option (a) and only deploy the full 7ft hose when necessary?)

Cheers

Roughwater

[Roughwater]

Originally Posted by Rainer

Sorry, just confused by you saying your diving practices have led you to "require" a long hose, but not "require" manifolded doubles. To me, independent twins can make sense for solo divers, but then, no need for a 7' hose. Can't really fathom the indies with long hose. In any case, just run the long hose off the right post and the necklace off the left. Route them in the standard tech style.

Hi Rainer,

Thanks for your post. I know that there is heavy debate and passion about the use of Independents vs Manifold setups in various situations and that is exactly what I am trying to avoid in my thread.

There are many reasons why I'm not going with manifolds at the moment, and if I start talking about that, I know I'm not going to get the help I'm after for my original question.

I don't need to read another DIR/GUE bash / manifold bash or independent bash thread, so I'm trying to keep this to an independent system only.

Cheers

Roughwater.

[CompuDude]

Originally Posted by Roughwater

Hi CompuDude,

Thanks for your post. I appreciate the time you've taken to write it up, but unfortunately what you have shown me is a manifold setup, and I'm chasing twin independent information.

I'm just wondering in the situation where you have a SPG going to the left, and another one to the right, but both hoses coming in over the right shoulder - how does one normally determine which Reg referrs to which hose?

(Or should I just go with option (a) and only deploy the full 7ft hose when necessary?)

Cheers

Roughwater

I don't think either of us were telling you to use a manifold, or get into any GUE/DIR debates... just answering your question.

There's not a lot of mistaking which reg has the necklace. That would be your left post, and left SPG. The other one (no necklace) is your right post, and right SPG.

As Rainer notes, all routing is identical, just no manifold. Apologies if I was unclear. I have no issues with independents, when the situation warrants their use, as long as the user has sufficient skills to handle the task loading. That's what every sidemount diver does, after all.

[Roughwater]

Hi Rainer,

Originally Posted by Rainer

Two people have directly answered your indies question (me and CD). Run the hoses just like with a manifold, just add the second SPG to the right post. That's what everyone I've ever seen who dives indies does. Right SPG just goes down to a right hip d-ring.

Thanks for your reply again, but I must be missing something. (Sorry if I'm a bit thick - and thanks for your patience)...

OK - I have two SPG's now, one running down my left, and the other running down my right. (This is how I normally have them)...

I also have two Regs, but now they're both coming over my right shoulder. How do I determine which reg relates to my left post, and which one to my right when I'm diving?

I'm familiar with twin independents, but with my setup I've only ever experienced 2 x short reg hoses, one coming over the left shoulder, and the other from the right. I usually tell which tank I'm using by grabing my reg and feeling which direction the hose is coming from.

Is it easy enough to tell which is the 7ft hose when it's around the back of your neck and am I worried about nothing (I haven't ran a 7" hose yet around the back of my head/neck), or is there another 'trick' to it?

Cheers

Adam.

[Rainer]

It couldn't be easier (as CD already noted). The one hanging from the necklace around your neck is from the left post. The one with the big clip on it that happens to be clearly on the long hose is off the right post. It isn't like I ever get confused which reg I'm breathing even though my doubles are manifolded. It's SUPER OBVIOUS. Try it, you'll see.

Originally Posted by Roughwater

Hi Rainer,

Thanks for your reply again, but I must be missing something. (Sorry if I'm a bit thick - and thanks for your patience)...

OK - I have two SPG's now, one running down my left, and the other running down my right. (This is how I normally have them)...

I also have two Regs, but now they're both coming over my right shoulder. How do I determine which reg relates to my left post, and which one to my right when I'm diving?

I'm familiar with twin independents, but with my setup I've only ever experienced 2 x short reg hoses, one coming over the left shoulder, and the other from the right. I usually tell which tank I'm using by grabing my reg and feeling which direction the hose is coming from.

Is it easy enough to tell which is the 7ft hose when it's around the back of your neck and am I worried about nothing (I haven't ran a 7" hose yet around the back of my head/neck), or is there another 'trick' to it?

Cheers

Adam.

[CompuDude]

Originally Posted by Roughwater

Is it easy enough to tell which is the 7ft hose when it's around the back of your neck and am I worried about nothing (I haven't ran a 7" hose yet around the back of my head/neck), or is there another 'trick' to it?

Our posts crossed.

Yes, the left post has a necklace. The right post does not. Very easy to tell the difference... your lips will feel the necklace clearly.

[Roughwater]

Hi CompuDude,

Thanks for your post too...

[quote=CompuDude;290250]

Originally Posted by Roughwater

Hi CompuDude,
I don't think either of us were telling you to use a manifold, or get into any GUE/DIR debates... just answering your question.

I didn't mean to sound offensive, I was just explaining the reason for my post. Sorry if I misunderstood or was offensive.

There's not a lot of mistaking which reg has the necklace. That would be your left post, and left SPG. The other one (no necklace) is your right post, and right SPG.

Aaah - maybe this is where the confusion is. I've never used a necklace. The regs when not in use have always been clipped to my BC. (The right on the right side, and the left likewise) where I can reach them and breath of them whilst they're still clipped up.

So, if I use a necklace (which I assume is where the reg hangs when not in use) and it's for my left post, where do I place the right reg when I need to swap tanks?

I'm sorry - I must be really missing something here. 2 people have answered my questions and I'm just not getting it - my apologies.

[Roughwater]

[quote=CompuDude;290253]

Originally Posted by Roughwater

Is it easy enough to
Our posts crossed.

Yes, the left post has a necklace. The right post does not. Very easy to tell the difference.

- Yes, I think they just did again...

Just to clarify, I may be misunderstanding the use of a necklace too - but just to make sure:

I was of the understanding that a necklace is used for manifolds, and that one breathes off long hose and has the short hose necklaced for use if I need to donate my long hose reg. (Please correct me if I'm wrong).

If I'm diving independents, then I'll need to be swapping regs frequently to evenly decanter my cylinders. In this instance, I would need to clip my long hose somewhere to then move to my short hose. I could use the necklace for my short hose too, but after a few swaps (knowing me) I'd be confused which is which again.

I know this must be frustrating, but I really do appreciate your help guys!

Cheers

Roughwater