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Curt wrote:

>Also when checking manufacturer advertisements the pressured rating will 
>vary based on the selling configuration.  If the manifold is DIN but sold 
>with the yoke adapters DOT regulations only allow them to advertise it as 
>a 200 bar manifold.  To the best of my knowledge all of this manifold are 
>rated 300 bar without the adapters.

A while back I purchased a Swiss-made manifold (marketed by Dive-Rite) from
Diver's Supply in Georgia who sold it as a manifold for Genesis cylinders
(it was much cheaper than the one sold by Sherwood).  I found out that all
they did was to re-thread the valves, because when my dive shop filled them,
the burst disk blew at 3400 psi (Genesis cylinders working pressure is 3500
psi).  Although I could have just put in the right burst disks, I decided to
return it and get my money back, because this manifold was rated at 200 bar,
not 300 bar like a real Genesis.  Although Curt says he thinks that it is
really rated at 300 bar, I wasn't sure because this manifold was lighter in
construction than the Genesis.  I decided to play it safe.

Also... you _can_ turn off isolation valves (and the other valves) on the
manifold with practice (this is a good thing to practice while you have
nothing to do during your deco hangs).  I've found that if you're wearing
only a wetsuit it's much easier than in a dry suit.  Simply grab the manifold
and pull it forward to reach the valves.  In a dry suit, you'll probably have
to undo the crotch strap of your harness to do this.  If it's still not
feasible, some people I know attach a short equipment line to the manifold,
and pull it forward (to make the manifold come forward).  Also it helps
to tilt the isolation valve forward (when assembling the manifold) for
easier access.  If all else fails, you could always unstrap yourself and
get partially out of your harness to turn around and reach your valves.

I feel that being able to get at your valves is an important skill.  I know
a guy who had a regulator free-flow while deep inside the Andrea Doria alone.
He was able to turn off the valve to that regulator and continue to have access
to both cylinders from his other regulator.

Christina Young

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