There’s a lot of controversy over technical diving equipment, and tank size ranks right up there as a source of great debate. Personally, I think a lot of the people who are the most vocal about their opinions don’t actually do a lot of diving. I laughed out loud recently after reading on another website that twin 85 cubic foot SCUBA cylinders are too small for any serious technical diving. According to whom?
I also read that Faber doubles are too light for diving in cold water and that they’re better suited for divers in wetsuits. According to this diver, Worthington cylinders, presumably like his, are the superior choice.
Well, that’s just wrong.
Are there situations when larger capacity scuba tanks are a better choice? Of course there are. But, to say that 85’s are universally good, or bad, and that one brand isn’t suited for a given water temperature doesn’t really help anybody.
Joe,
Funny comments about tanks, size, brand etc.!
I used to dive a set of OMS 85 s that seemed fine to me, but obviously for tech, the superior tanks were my pair of Pressed Steel 120s… For a boat anchor lol…
150 lbs the pair at full pressure, ugh!
Had a 6mil farmer John suit that took 40 lbs to sink with which was a PITA because when the suit finally got to some depth and compressed, I’d drop like a rock.
When I told some guys at a shop in California about this, the Navy “tech” diver with the 1000 plus dives and a couple other guys were laughing their butts off.
One of their instructors from “The Right Coast” overheard the haranguing and came to the aid.
He recanted a tale of a student the previous week having trouble submerging, so they put his rig in a mesh bag with the BC thoroughly deflated.
It took 36 lbs just to get this package to begin to sink.
The room went silent, except for my chuckling.
Sometimes, it takes what it takes and you use what you gots!
Sincerely,
John Chase
Water rescue forced retirement due to back injury as passenger in a boat accident.
I miss it terribly!
John,
I like the OMS 85’s simply because they balance well for me and hold plenty of gas for almost any dive I do. My SAC rate is generally around .4, which is low enough to get a lot of bottom time out of 170 cuft of back gas, even with the reserve. Those 120’s are HEAVY by themselves, let alone in a set of doubles!
Yeah, some exposure suits just take what they take. 40 pounds! Wow! That’s a lot. Even my drysuit (DUI, CF200x), with a Fourth Element Halo 3D doesn’t take 40 pounds to sink but, like you say, it is what it is.
Sorry to hear about your accident. I’d love to see you be able to dive again. Keep in touch!
– Joe