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John, > [deleted] > The problem we are posed with is how can you make the > most of both these pieces of equipment. If you have > totally independent twins you have two regulators > but only one will have the air sender unit so that > when you use the second cylinder you loose the advantage > of having an air integrated computer. If you mandfold > the cylinders together (still with two regulators) you > can use the air integrated computer to monitor your > air but you lose a degree of redunduncy. Assuming > you can isolate a cylinder how easy will this be in > an emergency without the aid of your buddy. If you use an isolation manifold, isolating a cylinder in the event of an equipment malfunction is quite straight forward. The valve connecting the two tanks is only left about a quarter turn open, so isolating can be done in one quick twist of the wrist. In learning to use this type of equipment, practising isolating the systems is a requirement. > > Another senario in the manifolded setup is if your buddy > requires your second regulator (assuming their main and > redundant systems failed). The air integrated computer > will see a doubling in air consumption (at the very least > given this is now a stress situation) and modify the > stops accordingly. This should not cause a problem as > extra stops will only make a DCI hit less likely but > the info is in error. Given that this is only going to happen VERY rarely (isn't it !?), and that the resultant additional decompression will make the dive SAFER (assuming the algorithm isn't so sensitive to air consumption rate that it mandates enough decompression to either leave you hypothermic or our of air), I think the error would be acceptable. > > Anyone out there using twins with an air integrated > computer? Have you come up will a better solution > than the two compromise solutions above? > I use twin 9l Steel (Faber) tanks manifolded with a Sterling isolation manifold. On one regulator I have a Suunto EON air integrated computer and on the other regulator a conventional pressure gauge (plus digital bottom timer). I normally use the EON as my primary pressure gauge/bottom timer, but in the event of needing to isolate the tanks, I can revert to the analogue pressure gauge on the other tank if necessary. The EON does not compensate the decompression algorithm for variation in breathing rate, so there is no problem with altered decompression requirements. The main feature I find useful with the EON is it's ability to calculate your RMV for any dive (using the PC interface). I find this extremely useful as I now have a very good idea of what my likely air consumption rate will be on any dive. If I plan a decompression dive, I plan it using tables and dive it using the computer as backup. If you are planning to do decompression diving on computer alone, it is generally recommended that you have two computers and thus you could have one on each regulator (two Air-X computers could be rather expensive!) Feel free to email me if you want more details. (I'm only on techdiver, not scuba-uk). Regards, David. ______________________________________________________________________________ David Giddy, | Voice: +61 3 253 6388 Telstra Research Laboratories, | Fax: +61 3 253 6144 P.O. Box 249, Rosebank MDC, 3169, AUSTRALIA | Internet: d.giddy@tr*.oz*.au* ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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