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Since we're talking about me, here a bit of info:

>   Well, I've seen the same Y valve several times, and it has two O-ring 
>outputs, each with it's own valve. So to use your terminology, it has TWO 
>valves downstream from the actual Y. As a matter of fact, most of the time, 
>my friend uses his Y tank with only one reg on.

The Y-valve was originally purchased to meet the NSS requirements for an "intro
to cave diving course".  90% of the dives I do are with a single cylinder and
my usual configuration is a steel or alu 80 tank + a 15 cf steel pony. Only one
of my six tanks have a Y-valve and, as Marc mentionned, it is rarely used with
two regulators.  But I have to disagree with his comment about safety NOT being
increased with a Y-valve.  In the event of a major free-flow or a burst hose,
all you have to do is reach back and close the side with the problem.  Pretty
much like what you would do with an isolator manifold.  Of course, this wont
help much in case of a blown burst disk.

>   My friend (okay, he's on TECHDIVER, too: Richard Larocque) only uses his 
>Y-valve tank on "easy" dives where he does not want to lug his pony around, 
>so he puts his pony reg on the other outlet.

I should add that the tank with the Y-valve is used when diving on "thirds",
when doing "cave-like" penetrations and on some more technical solo dives where
I'll also carry the pony. Overall, I see the Y-valve as an intermediate step
between the regular octo and full redundancy (pony or independents).

Richard

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