On Sun, 24 Oct 1999 08:31:46 -0400, Dave Sutton wrote:

>Comments? I'd love to see some others lay out yer shit like I have
>for comment and critique. Actual choices cannot be faulted
>(IE Poseidon V/S Scubapro or whatever...) It's the concept
>that counts.
>
>Open yer bag and show us!!

The contents of my "bag":

Tanks:  Twin high volume low pressure steels (2640 max WP), with
appropriate neutral to negative when empty buoyancy characteristics, or
a Luxfer aluminum 80 for single diving.  The low pressure tanks put
less stress on the first stages, reducing their probability of failure.
 Burst discs on twins are replaced with plugs, since the neck o-ring
will extrude anyway in the case of overpressure.  Valves are 300 bar
DIN, for the most secure connection in all cases.  Valve knobs are all
changed to rubber instead of metal or plastic, for maximum tactility
and impact resistance.  Manifold is dual outlet isolatable, of twin
barrel o-ring type, instead of face seal which is more susceptible to
impact.  Tank bands are type 316 stainless, with all-round welded
construction.  Bands are mounted on the twins as high as possible (top
band at break).  Bolts are not all-thread, but rather are the proper
length shafts with threads only at the plate.  Argon tank is 14 cu. ft.
low pressure aluminum, mounted inverted on the left back tank, to
enable easy access to the valve should it need to be controlled
manually.  The argon bottle is mounted as low down the back tank as
practicable to place it in the slipstream of the back gas and reduce
drag.  The argon tank is attached by velcro straps which I can undo
with the rig on my back, in case I need to remove this tank underwater.
 For shorter or single tank dives, the argon bottle is only 6 cu. ft.

Backplate is type 316 stainless for best corrosion resistance to
seawater, and extra weight.  Harness is rigged as per DIR.

Wings are standard, unrestrained, with hard elbow instead of a pull
dump at the shoulder, so that I do not inadvertently lose inflation
should it get caught on something.  Bladder is internally protected. 
The inflator hose (corrugated and LP hose) is correctly oriented to be
used as a tertiary backup regulator, and sized exactly to the length I
need to be able to reach my nose to equalize and operate my drysuit
inflator, with the BC inflator in the same hand.

First stages are 300 bar DIN, and have the intermediate pressures
reduced to decrease the likely hood of freezing or 2nd stage failure. 
Argon first stage is equipped with an overpressure valve, since there
is no second stage for OP relief in the event of a first stage failure.
 All hoses are equipped with protectors at the swage, and are routed as
per DIR.  For single tank, I use a 5 foot long hose.

Second stages are all of a type that is openable underwater without the
use of tools, should I need to clear them of debris.  2nd stages are
threaded to the hoses only handtight, so that they may be changed out
underwater in the event of malfunction.

Canister light is on left hip, as per DIR, and is carried on all dives
except blackwater, regarless of objective or length of dive, since it
is focusable and is used as a signalling device (very important), can
be hung around the neck for working or writing, and provides weight
which can be ditched in an emergency.  The light cord is sized exactly
for the length needed to reach from the canister to my outstreched left
hand.  For operating with the right hand, one wrap around the right arm
takes up the slack.  Backup lights are carried as per DIR, since they
need to be able to be turned on before unclipping them from your
person.

Low profile knife with serrated edge and a pair of shears are kept in a
sheath on the waist belt.  Redundant cutting devices are in the form of
buddies who should be paying attention to you.

Low profile reel (handle on axial side) carried clipped off to rear
crotch d-ring.  Closed circuit lift bag (to prevent capsize and
sinking) carried in same position, and kept tight to the bottom of the
plate by a small loop of surgical tubing.  These items are protected
and out of the way, not creating any entanglement hazard whatsoever.

Digital depth gauge/bottom timer is on the right arm, since the left
arm is used to manipulate stage bottles and SPG on left side, so that
arm should be kept clean.

Stage and deco bottles are carried on the left side as per DIR, and
rigged to have the orifice facing up, so that the valve can be easily
manipulated with the left hand which rests on the bottle, if you ever
need to control gas delivery manually.

Drysuit is heavy duty vulcanized for working, trilaminate or equivalent
shell for playing.  In either case, an BC is used for backup buoyancy,
since in the unlikely event of a drysuit flood (which you mentioned you
would attempt to swim with) I would not want to overexert myself,
especially with a growing deco obligation, and even if I attempted to
swim like that, the effect of cold water in a flooded suit would
rapidly make the effort futile.  Drysuit insulation is heavy duty
thinsulate over thin polypropylene liner.

Gloves are 5 finger dry gloves, equalized to the suit with small
sections of vinyl tubing, which are easily pulled free in the event of
a glove flooding.  Glove insulation is a thin polypropylene liner, with
a thicker thinsulate or Polartec over top (heavist possible glove
insulation while still maintaining sufficient dexterity to operate any
piece of equipment at any time).

Small, low profile compass is worn on left arm.  Larger compass may be
carried in the pocket. 

Both the long hose and the SPG are attached to their bolt snaps by
o-ring weak links.  All bolt snaps and d-rings are type 316 stainless.

Fins are equipped with low profile spring straps to minimize
entanglement hazard.


Everything above is carried on every dive, because every item is part
of a complete life support system.  In addition to these items, I may
carry additional tools depending on a particular dive objective.  If
they can be carried without increasing drag, probability of
entanglement, or weight (considerably), I will carry them on me.  If
not, they get to the site via other means.

-Sean


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