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>
> Well this thought isn't original with me BUT:
>
> Why do you think that Dr. Benjamin and crew went to the time and expense
> to develop the manifold?

I gathered that it was a development of the manifold, rather than the
introduction of the manifold.  In the beginning a manifold was *essential*
because you can't dive twin hose regulators with independents.  (Do I have
to explain why this is so to those in the stalls?)  Hence big dives used
manifolds.  Independents came *after* manifolds.  So in order of
sophistication you have, Cheater bars (temporary manifolds that join
two normal valves together), then manifolds (two cylinders that fit
onto one valve assembly, with one outlet, one on/off valve and one
reserve lever), then isolation valves (the three valve, two outlet,
no reserve thing in common use in america) and finally independents.


>
> Anyone who can't close their isolation valve in less than 5 seconds just
> might want to reconsider their hobbies.

I suspect that this would cut out a fair proportion of divers, but I
agree with you.


> And third, NO I don't have to loosen my crotch strap to turn off any of
> my valves. And I'm just a guppy cave diver who takes a LONG time to
> scooter to the Hinkle  :)  Isn't that a beautiful cave?

I mentioned the idea of needing two hands to operate the isolation valve,
but I did so by saying that these folk were Darwin's problem, not mine.
It was keen manifold users who jumped in and said it was OK to spend
time loosening your crotch strap, and using two hands.  I wouldn't have
guessed that you would be amoungst the group of divers that Darwin has
missed so far.  (And I'm glad to hear that you aren't)

I was trying to estimate the total time from the blowing of a hose, to
the stopping of the gas dumping.  I discounted the two handed approch on
purpose, because I knew that many divers don't need to do it, and they
would howl in protest if I added it in.  I really never expected that
anyone would put up his hand and say "Look at me!  I'm a stroke, and
I can't operate my equipment!".  Of course I was wrong (again!).

> safe diving
> r.b.
> --
Cheers Jason =:)


>

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