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> This all looks, and sounds rather wonderful, but if your first reg. >is free-flowing (as is most likely) and it is essential to turn it off to >change to the back-up, then how on earth do you reach behind you to turn the >tap?! I don't think that I am the exception in saying that I cannot even touch >my taps when diving back-mounted let alone turn them! Remember that you cannot >rely on your buddy being behind you at the right time! With either manifold or independent cylinders, the ability to shut off a free flowing reg is essential. The turbulence caused by a free flow cantotally wipe out many OH situations. If you do not have the dexterity to manipulate your valves in a back mount, then you need to learn to quickly remove the harness so that you can gain access. Many of my dive buddies can close their valves w/o such a maneuver, but I have to release my waist strap and shift the mount over my head to do it. That is something that I practice so as to be prepared should the need arise. Has anyone tried wearing back mounts "upside down" with the valves near the buttocks rather than the shoulders? You can certainly reach that area with greater ease. It would require longer hoses, but that in itself is not a deterent. The only drawback that I see is the practical problem of removing them w/o placing too much strain on the manifold/valves. In the same respect, I guess there would be a greater risk of damage should they be dropped. Comments? >I would be interested in any comments that any of you out there have on the >use of manifolds vs independant systems (twin sets). Side mounts certainly have their advantages. They also seem to be a bit more difficult to master. Air management with independent cylinders is an additional task loading over the shared manifold.
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