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In a message dated 97-01-15 10:34:08 EST, you write: << So lets start a new thread on the worst configuration you have seen on a dive and why it was the "Worst Configuration". >> Probably the worst configuration I've ever seen was a guy making a deep wreck dive. His name and location will not be mentioned. He had a pair of aluminum 80's banded together on a brand new (never before dived) Transpak. Each tank had a slingshot valve facing "fore and aft", with a first stage on one post of each and the other two joined by a Performance Diver tank equalizer yoke (complete with non-submersible pressure gauge.) He was diving them with the equalizer open as if it were a manifold. Hose-clamped to the side of the left tank was a 15 cf pony bottle with argon; hose-clamped between the doubles was a HP 40 cf pony bottle with O2, and slung _crosswise_ across his chest was a steel 72 with nitrox. He had two computers (one on the console, another hoseless on the wrist). Second stages and hoses were hanging and clipped every which where. Critique: 1. Attempting a serious dive in a rig that had not been worn until comfotable and proven on "trivial" dives. 2. Using the equalizer yoke as life-support equipment. I would barely trust it to transfer gas on the surface, much less at depth. It added several points of failure - two more yoke O-ring seals, the hose itself and its fittings, and the gauge. 3. The O2 on his back was probably out of reach - could not operate the valve. 4. Nitrox bottle slung crosswise had to be extremely unsteamlined. 5. No apparent method to identify which reg had what gas - a real recipe for disaster when O2 and rich nitrox are being carried at depth. I'm sure you all can add more - have at it! I'll post my personal rig later so you can take potshots at me too! -Dan ========================================================= Daniel R. Fountain [Lake Superior] dfountain@ao*.co* CIS 76545,1467 "Diving skills cannot be taught, they can only be learned." - Richard Pyle ========================================================= +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ Please send messages for the WreckDiver list to: wreckdiver@wreckdiver.com Send subscription and help requests to: wreckdiver-request@wreckdiver.com +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
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