8 replies to this topic

[shadragon]

This weekend I was slated to do two trips (Morning and afternoon) on Saturday. When weather blew out the afternoon trip, I was hanging around the dive shop and the owner (who has been nudging me to get technical training to accompany him on deeper dives) suggested I try out a pair of doubles. He tossed me a pair of Poseidon regs, two wings and a backplate at me and with the assistance of a person familiar with how to rig up doubles we pieced them together.

The weight was not too bad. I carry a pony regularly so there was little additional weight. We ran through the tank isolation proceedure on shore and other related safety tips until I had them down. I had to wear 20 pounds of lead instead of my usual 16 with the twin AL80's to get down, but once down found the doubles to be a pleasent experience. I did my initial bouyancy check in shallow water near the beach, under a watchful eye. However, after I gave him the final "OK" I was on my own.

I stayed shallow, never more than 10 feet deep and explored the bay. Bouyancy was rock stable regardless of my position in the water and I found myself really enjoying the experience. I finned my way around an old barge and explored some old wreckage on the sea floor. Apart from (unintentionally) scaring a Japanese woman in a white bikini on my exit from the water all went well.

All in all, I was very surprised at how stable the rig was. The next step is a deeper dive with a seasoned buddy, then Advanced Nitrox and we shall see where we go from there. Rest assured, I shall not be exceeding rec limits until I have that training.

[Jerrymxz]

Another one starting down the path that leads to the dark side. It starts that way. Take the Advanced Nitrox course or try a set of doubles then its long hose and Backplate with a couple of wings and stage bottles and O2 clean stage bottle regs then another set of doubles and more regulators and lift bags and wreck reels and two multiple gas dive computers a canister light that cost more then my first car and deco planning software and then the decompression procedures course then the extended range course then there is trimix, then once all that is paid for, the true dark side becomes clear. rebreather..... then your transforation to the dark side will become complete.

But have a good time it's fun!!!!!

[georoc01]

Another one starting down the path that leads to the dark side. It starts that way. Take the Advanced Nitrox course or try a set of doubles then its long hose and Backplate with a couple of wings and stage bottles and O2 clean stage bottle regs then another set of doubles and more regulators and lift bags and wreck reels and two multiple gas dive computers a canister light that cost more then my first car and deco planning software and then the decompression procedures course then the extended range course then there is trimix, then once all that is paid for, the true dark side becomes clear. rebreather..... then your transforation to the dark side will become complete.

But have a good time it's fun!!!!!

And all of a sudden that one bag you used to travel with has become 2 bags and you are still struggling to make weight when carrying 4 regs and all of the rest of the gear

[shadragon]

My wallet shall drive the depths I go too, if you will forgive the pun. The shop is pushing me to go for a rebreather, but that is many moons away, if ever.

I suspect doubles and Adv Nitrox with Deco will be the extent of my lunacy ummm I mean commitment to the scuba gods. Knowing what to do if I do get into a deco situation someday is common sense. If I was 20 again I would reconsider.

[georoc01]

That was one of the more interesting parts of my Tec class was while we had built tables for deco and had them laminated with backups in a pocket and the main table rigged to our slates, was seeing how our computers handled the deco stops and when they cleared. I didn't get a gas switch in on one of my computers and effectly put it into a violation state that took about 48 hours to completely clear.

[Jerrymxz]

I suspect doubles and Adv Nitrox with Deco will be the extent of my lunacy ummm I mean commitment to the scuba gods. Knowing what to do if I do get into a deco situation someday is common sense. If I was 20 again I would reconsider.

That was my plan too. But then I signed up for the Bonaire trip and OTWdiver was offering the extended range class on the trip so I said sure why not! (that's how it starts)

[georoc01]

I suspect doubles and Adv Nitrox with Deco will be the extent of my lunacy ummm I mean commitment to the scuba gods. Knowing what to do if I do get into a deco situation someday is common sense. If I was 20 again I would reconsider.

That was my plan too. But then I signed up for the Bonaire trip and OTWdiver was offering the extended range class on the trip so I said sure why not! (that's how it starts)

Then you start diving at 160+ feet and realize that the narcosis is no fun diving air, which now has me looking at the Trimix class.

[Scubatooth]

Forget the doubles and the rental billand back issues that can come with them, try side mount .

[peterbj7]

Not all the time - they're so clumsy!