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David, my apologies up front; I'm going to speak about more than you asked but I consider the total integrated system to be important. My configuration for doubles is simple. I have a separate regulator (first and second stage) on each tank; my primary regulator has a regular length hose while my backup has a 9ft hose. My primary regulator is mounted on the tank on my left side for two reasons: it eliminates the slop in the hose (streamlining), and it is on the tank valve that would roll shut if the knob is bumped on an overhead. Of course this should not happen if you have proper technique. I would rather have my primary regulator cutout due to a tank valve rolling shut than give the shutoff regulator (without knowing it) to an out-of-air diver and adding to his/her stress level. My backup regulator hose is secured neatly flat against the side of my right tank (innertube bands) with the second stage either attached to my harness up front (can be pulled away easily), or it is located at the base of the tank within my grasp. This depends if I am carrying more than two stage bottles and passage size. I require my dive partner to breathe from my backup before each dive. The manifold isolation valve is checked open 1 1/2 to 2 turns at the begining of every dive; I can reach around and fully open later if need be. Gas shutdown drills are regularly practiced. All first stage hoses exit the valve bodies downward and then branch left or right => no sloppy hoses. I have one small pressure gauge (Poseidon) on my right tank which runs behind my neck and under my left arm and clips to a D-ring on the left tank harness. No bulky consoles; its out of the way, easily read, cannot get caught in a scooter prop, and streamlined. Two pressure gauges do not offer any benefit (assuming manifolded tanks), only an additional HP gas failure point. If you have a problem with your gas supply or gauge, you turn the dive. If you have planned with proper gas management considerations the point is moot how much gas you have remaining, you either make it or you don't. Normally, I wear two wings with the wing against the tank flipped where the hose is on my right side. I tuck the hose between the two wings and clip the inflator to a D-ring low on the right tank side within grasp. The backup wing inflator hose runs from my left tank regulator and is normally not connected to eliminate inadvertent activation. I bring it around to a harness D-ring on the right side and connect the inflator hose if the conditions warrant. My primary wing inflator hose runs from my right tank (backup) regulator around my neck and is clipped to a D-ring on my left backpack harness and can operate without unclipping (notice the streamlining eliminates slop in the hoses) . I know where it is always. Any second stage regulator with a neck lanyard (my primary) should have the lanyard configured such that it can be pulled free. Everyone talks about which regulator should be passed off but I guarantee a stressed out-of-air diver will grab your primary regulator if given the opportunity. If it doesn't come out of your lanyard you'll be eating it when it rubber-bands back. One can make a good argument for running your long hose as your primary; mainly because you know (and so does your partner) that it is working when you lose it. Additionally you would not have to switch regulators once the distressed diver relaxes and is in control. Why don't I do it? Old dog and new tricks, maybe someday. IMHO I am not a fan of coiling the long hose around your neck; it looks cool but doesn't add much to streamlining. My cannister dive light is worn on my right backpack waist belt with the English light head and Goodman handle clipped to a harness D-ring and the cable tucked under the waist belt when not in use. My 6 cu.ft argon bottle is worn inverted on my left waist belt up close to the tank backplate. If I need more suit gas I'll use a larger bottle (not mounted on my doubles though), or an extra inflator hose off a stage (although not with mix with helium content due to potential skin bends from counterdiffusion). I expect to use even less gas with my DUI suit. Any more regulators than two doesn't add value. More only adds additional failure points. The point here is simplicity and consistency in gear placement. Before every dive my team matches gear for operation and location. I know there have been several magazine articles lately glamorizing "tech-diving" but if you look, sometimes not so close, you'll see hoses and gauges dangling everywhere (front cover of "Mixed Gas Diving" for example, and ridiculous tank configurations. Follow the KISS principle (Keep It Simple Stupid) and buy quality gear. Don't hesitate to dispatch your gear with heavenly force if it doesn't perform. Don't take along any more gear than is necessary when diving. Plan your dive accordingly. Say NO to an octopus, just use two separate regulators (first and second stages). Two is fine, three is a croud! Just my opinion. Doug Chapman You may copy this mail to the techdiver list if you think it may be of interest.
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