What size for deep dives (130’ +/-) and any recommendations on brands?
-Albemarle 248xf “Chella”
-Dolphin 18BC Pro
-Miscellaneous boats
PM charlestondiving or yellabird. I don’t dive over 125 since I almost blacked out a couple times at 127. But for my dives down to 120, I have a 19 cu luxfer. When you go deeper than 130, you are “tech diving”, and probably talking about scrub bottles and special mixes. At your level, make sure you don’t get in over your head! There is tons to see in 100’ and you will wear your pony bottle out before you are truly ready for > 130.
I mention 130 because it is about as deep as I will ever go and the limits of my “certification”. I would rather have a little more emergency air than not enough. I do need experience and am always looking for ways to learn. Thank you for your advice.
-Albemarle 248xf “Chella”
-Dolphin 18BC Pro
-Miscellaneous boats
Depends what you are wanting to do. Are you are looking for bailout or higher mix for faster Deco. For bailout a 19cu would do the trick.
Pony bottles can have their own dangers. People have accidentally went down breathing from the pony regulator and run out of gas then make a emergency ascent. Make sure the pony reg is marked somehow. I put a zip tie with the tag end uncut and facing up in my line of sight. For advanced deco dives i Bag the pony regulator and turn the gas off so i manually have to turn it on to prevent breathing the higher mix too deep.
Rob Harding
236 Sailfish 250 4s Yam
https://www.facebook.com/groups/hope4cameron/
(Fish not Biting? Try a fast presentation of spring steel)</font id=“green”>
quote:Gotcha. I saw the "+" next to the 130. If you plan on staying shallower, a 19 should be all you need. If you think about it, it is almost 1/4 the size of an AL 80. If you have to ascend on a pony, you wouldn't spend much time at depth. Probably would have 5-7 minutes assuming you came straight up at a normal pace and spent most time on your safety stop. That being said, maybe more than that. I've never really had to test it. But I've dove with an 80 here before. Not going to burn much air once you are back up to 15'. Assuming you keep your cool...
Originally posted by Island BoyI mention 130 because it is about as deep as I will ever go and the limits of my “certification”. I would rather have a little more emergency air than not enough. I do need experience and am always looking for ways to learn. Thank you for your advice.
-Albemarle 248xf “Chella”
-Dolphin 18BC Pro
-Miscellaneous boats
quote:A friend of mine was with someone when they did just that. The guy didnt make it. My pony reg is different from my normal and will be secured so that I will have to purposely grab it. I plan to only use it for bailout. I have been looking at a hp steel 23. It seems to be smaller but heavier than a aluminum 19. Any thoughts on it.
Originally posted by CharlestonDivingDepends what you are wanting to do. Are you are looking for bailout or higher mix for faster Deco. For bailout a 19cu would do the trick.
Pony bottles can have their own dangers. People have accidentally went down breathing from the pony regulator and run out of gas then make a emergency ascent. Make sure the pony reg is marked somehow. I put a zip tie with the tag end uncut and facing up in my line of sight. For advanced deco dives i Bag the pony regulator and turn the gas off so i manually have to turn it on to prevent breathing the higher mix too deep.Rob Harding
236 Sailfish 250 4s Yam
https://www.facebook.com/groups/hope4cameron/
(Fish not Biting? Try a fast presentation of spring steel)</font id=“green”>
-Albemarle 248xf “Chella”
-Dolphin 18BC Pro
-Miscellaneous boats
Go with a 30or40cuin come home bottle. A 19 will only get you to the surface in a emergency, possibly missing some deco stops. Most of the time we all push our limits chasing or wrestling fish and find out we only have 500lbs or less for the assent.(We never dive alone, a buddy is always there with extra air). In that situation you may have enough air to reach the surface with a 19 but not enough for your safety stops which usually require mutable and deeper safety stops if you have pushed your bottom time in 130’. Even if you have a failure in 130’ of your primary regs (it does happen)a 19 will not likely allow you to do your accent safely. Your come home should always have the same % as your primary bottle.
We use this rig, an AL80 filled with 51% 02 on the poly ball with 18’line. It is dropped over the side when the divers are on their safety stop. It provides another level of safety by allowing the divers to flush excess nitrogen while on their safety stop. Our divers do not always end up together on their safety stop but 99% of the time their bubbles are side by side and we can see them
Even if only one diver gets the poly ball, we know were he is at and go to the other diver.
Catalina 30 on a sling tech rigged…extra regulator attached…
Wanna kill fish, then let’s go! Always ready, always willing to teach the ways.
quote:
Originally posted by Bug CatcherGo with a 30or40cuin come home bottle. A 19 will only get you to the surface in a emergency, possibly missing some deco stops. Most of the time we all push our limits chasing or wrestling fish and find out we only have 500lbs or less for the assent.(We never dive alone, a buddy is always there with extra air). In that situation you may have enough air to reach the surface with a 19 but not enough for your safety stops which usually require mutable and deeper safety stops if you have pushed your bottom time in 130’. Even if you have a failure in 130’ of your primary regs (it does happen)a 19 will not likely allow you to do your accent safely. Your come home should always have the same % as your primary bottle.
We use this rig, an AL80 filled with 51% 02 on the poly ball with 18’line. It is dropped over the side when the divers are on their safety stop. It provides another level of safety by allowing the divers to flush excess nitrogen while on their safety stop. Our divers do not always end up together on their safety stop but 99% of the time their bubbles are side by side and we can see them
Even if only one diver gets the poly ball, we know were he is at and go to the other diver.
That’s just plain smart!
-Albemarle 248xf “Chella”
-Dolphin 18BC Pro
-Miscellaneous boats
Thank you for the replies. I did order a hp23 for the size. The bottle should give me enough air for a safe ascent and possibly my safety stop depending on depth. Most of my diving will be less than 120’. I hope to get out and shoot some fish. If anyone is in the teaching mood let me know. I can cover some expense we can take my rig.
-Albemarle 248xf “Chella”
-Dolphin 18BC Pro
-Miscellaneous boats