Diving dry, I think wings are waste. We started diving with Unisuits when they came out back in the 70s on shipwrecks (Michigan) and found BCs unnecessary. There were no octopus rigs when I started but I did carry a 33cf pony bottle, obviously with its own reg, but it was not for public consumption. I was the only one in my group that ever had to use their pony, and then it was only twice; one time to finish out decom stop. We carried real knives. I got tangled up in some electrical wiring hanging down from a ceiling in about 125' in the Monrovia, and was glad for the size and type of blade it was. On the other side, I dove on wrecks for almost 10 years, and it was the only time I used it. Dive lights today are amazing compared to what was available when I stated diving (1968). I wound up making my own from a friend's design that would never hold up in warm water because it was a 6 volt tractor headlight that I ran 14 volts through. We were diving in 39 to 42 degree water, and never had a bulb burn out. It was extremely bright, and friends always new what room I was in because all the portholes had light glaring out of them. We carried spools of line back then, but not anything with 400', and certainly not the same quality. I got lost on the stern of the Danial J Morrell and found out my 220' of line was not enough. I only used it once, but without it, I wouldn't have gotten the decoming I was able to complete. We always had a tank of pure O2 on board for just that king of emergency, and a good supply of aspirin to thin the blood. The dose was 8 to 12 depending of body size, which was the recommended by the research Doctors at U of M . We were told to take the aspirin, lay still for at least an hour, breathing the O2. I should have spent at least 45 Min at 10 ten feet decoming, but I did what the doctors said, and didn't get bent. 4 hours later, I went down an retrieved my line. Diving equipment has certainly changed, and I would say mostly for better, especially concerning dive computers. My first one was the SOS Decompression Meter, which we affectionately called the "benz-o-matic". It could only do one thing, and not very well. Obviously, we had a working knowledge of the Navy Dive Tables. BCs using dry suits at depth and octopus rigs; No thanks, way to much unnecessary junk. Of course, we only had compressed air (mixed gas was mostly a theory in until the late 70s and wasn't available to sport divers until much later), so we needed life underwater to be as simple as possible. We had 2 sayings that we lived by. 1. Plan your dive, and dive your plan. 2. There are old divers, and there are bold divers, but there are no old, bold divers.
Adding lights to your "studio/dive locker" will definitely help, but using dive lights can cause problems. They are meant to be more directional and can make for harsh lighting. In this video you have some pretty harsh lighting and shadows on your face. A light diffuser in front of the dive light you use as studio lighting will do wonders! In fact, adding more overhead lights that have built in diffusers spread around will help add more light and reduce shadows. In your last video you mentioned the desire to step up your production quality. May I suggest 3 things? One is the better camera, which you now have (2 of them), better lighting, and better microphones. I'm not saying yours is bad, but as you want to improve quality, think about those. Having some more lighting around the whole room and a few on your face will do wonders. The trick is that light needs to be diffused and preferably from multiple angles (left front, straight on, right front). A good ring light, or 2 or 3, will help with this. For microphones - until you feel confident having multiple microphones (editing multiple for one person is tough) just stick with one really good one. You seem to have done well with microphones and I don't remember what you do, but sometimes things are off a little. A good shotgun microphone mounted on the camera can be good if you aren't moving around too much. I prefer them over lavalier microphones since people always seem to bump or rub them making really bad noises. Or they turn their head and we hear nothing. Anyway, good luck! My wife and I are doing AOW in the next month or 2 and are getting excited for our trip this summer with dives in the Florida springs and off coastal Carolina!
I recently got certified open water and I think you are my new favourite TH-camr. Your videos are passionate and entertaining and I am as a result I am even more into scuba and looking to book my Nitrox and Advanced 30 course. I remember seeing a FFM on the shelf in one of your videos and was wondering if you did a video on them? I must have missed it. In any case, keep doing what you are doing!
I my self like Apeks and the XT-50 is a bullet proof reg. I am thinking about getting into tech diving and I am looking at much of the same gear. So, thank you for going over your setup. I am in the same boat with the shop I work is a AL and Apeks as well as Dive Rite so I am still shopping. Thank you for your hats work and all the stuff you do.
I LOVE my Mares XR tech shorts! Stout zippers, good wide pockets with plenty of attachment points, and the stretchy Velcro waist looks gimmicky but after a little adjusting is actually solid and comfortable. There’s also a Kevlar butt area that doesn’t wear at all. I’ve had mine for a year and they still look brand new even with many tech dives/dming
04:30 Thank you for the grate insight and perspective. I became dry suit certified (CMAS) last yare in November and was thought to use the dry suit as the primary buoyancy control underwater and the BCD on the surface and as a backup if the suit valves malfunction. But again thanks for the different angle, appreciated!
in my diving experience, I noticed that the drysuit is much slower in dumping gas, it works fine as buoyancy device in normal case but if for water reason you need to dump quickly gas to avoid ascend then it is not efficient. Also, if you move to trimix you will need to use a spare little tank for to inflate the suit, you will use too much gas for adjust your buoyancy
@@Marco-bq4hj Thank you for the perspective. Well trimix that’s some ways away for me (Not even NITROX certified) but yeah maybe in the future. Oh, and yes I can see the aspect of “gas-in-gas-out” in a drysuit setup. Again it is cool to get different perspectives on the subject!
I didn't think anyone still taught use of the drysuit for primary buoyancy control. A drysuit is not designed for that purpose and can be quite awkward to get the gas out of, especially if you have a problem. Keep just enough air in the suit to relieve the squeeze and stay warm; that's it! BCDs and wings are designed so you can always dump whatever position you have in the water, and are far easier to fine tune.
@@timgosling6189 Thanks for the info, I even brought out my CMAS/ SSDF (Swedish Sports Divers Association) course literature to re-read the parts about dry suit buoyance just to double-check myself and I clearly says “During drysuit diving the BCD function as a life preserver, used on the surface to secure bouncy or in an emergency” and “if combining drysuit and BCD you have four valves to manage instead of two” (this is me translating from Swedish to English btw. And I am not a trained translator) and that's how I was taught during the course, in 2020…a real year of hindsight. But it also says: “When you gain more experience you may experiment with combining small amounts of air in your BCD”. Honestly I have noticed that the general consensus of using minimum amount of air to prevent squeeze and then primary use the BCD for bouncy control is quite prevalent, but that’s also what is interesting with the sport, to get different people’s perspective on technique and method of use. So certified, but still learning.
Finally someone that doesn’t puke at the sight of a dual bladder wing. I have your exact setup from Apeks. (Backplate/harness, Tek 3 Regs and of course the WTX-D60R wing) I’ve been told by multiple training agencies that I can’t train with it. Looks like I might be coming to you for tech training.
Regarding the dual bladders, it's really a personal thing, i genuinely don';t think there is a wrong answer, so long as you are practiced in using your partifular setup. Realistically a bladder failure for well looked after and inspected gear is pretty rare, i don't think i've ever actually seen one, but it's possible, so redundancy (esp when bottomless as mentioned) is key, but how that redundancy is allocated is un-important imo. For me, i feel the second LPi and hose just gets in the way too much for the 99.9999% of dives where i'm not using it, and all my tech dives are in a drysuit, so that's the option for me at the moment, and realistically, any failure of primary buoyancy means dive over at that point. if i were doing extended Deco in cold water, or deep pentrations, then yes, i'd almost certainly swap to a dual bladder allowing a seamless transition in the event of a primary bladder failure :-)
Hi James! Great advice as always - Really enjoying your channel! Just wanted to let you know, that I've been using the Fourth Element Tec Shorts for about 50 dives in warm water now, and I couldn't be happier. Since I use a wing configuration, that doesn't provide any pockets, they have become my main place to store about anything I bring on a regular dive (torches, boltsnaps, spare mask, SMBs, line, white balance sheet, etc.). I really like the pocket layout and size, especially the super large lids, which are even suitable for use with gloves. If you have the chance, I'd really recommend having a look at them. Have a great season, stay safe and best regards from Switzerland!
Good video James! I'd say though that drysuits don't just have three holes in them. They have four! The dump valve :-) That said, I dive a drysuit all the time and love it. We generally use our drysuits as our primary buoyancy control device too, not really for warmth per-se. It's very convenient to roll to dump and press on the chest inflator valve to inflate.
I think the Standardized gear configuration works best in a team environment. E.g., I know where your gear is and how it operates, and you know where my gear is and how it operates in case of an emergency where SCR's and critical thinking skills are increased. This "way" of diving also helps mitigate risk to the team as a whole. While your configuration looks excellent, and I am sure it works just fine-we would both have to have a gear configuration chat before tech diving together on the surface. That might require recreational familiarization dives until one feels comfortable responding to an emergency to a buddy's gear selection. Food for thought.
I like that you're practical with your advice where I don't have to buy branded equipment, etc. I am researching what to buy for my rec scuba gear, and the prices can be financially overwhelming when you search online for the "best" equipment. X_X
I'd be interested to see how you mount your deco tanks, I carry mine sidemounted using Diverite style ring bungies and a butt plate. My regular dive buddy used to swear by the GUE all on one side setup but has now switched to sidemounted too. I find Diverite XT fins trim well for most diving configurations except for backmounted steel twins with a drysuit. For that I use ScubaPro Jets.
I am a recreational diver in Norway, so I pretty much only dive a drysuit here, and on most dives I only use the suit for buoyancy. If you're properly weighted, then there shouldn't be too much air in the suit anyways, and the air you put in the suit is also used to insulate, so why would you put that air in an air sack where it only compensates for buoyancy.
@@schmohawke No one said that dry suit is gonna be full of air. With proper weight you just don't have to use bcd. Air I use to avoid squeeze is just enough for bouyancy.
@@schmohawke the obvious answer is because otherwise you have to simultaneously manage two sources of buoyancy. For example, if you're at 30m and you've got just enough air in your suit to prevent squeeze and some in your bcd. What do you do if something causes you to start to ascend (e.g, poor dsmb deployment, bcd inflator stuck open etc etc) - with two sources of buoyancy, you need to be dumping from both drysuit and bcd simultaneously as the expanding air will increase your speed to the surface. At 30m, the gas in your drysuit will Have expanded 3x it's volume if you've not dumped any, Always dive with only one source of buoyancy, makes diving so much safer.
@@C3110player You do realize that dumping gas from your BCD will automatically dump gas from your suit as you raise your arm to dump air? Honestly controlling your buoyancy with the BCD and using the suit for preventing squeeze will be much safer because there will be much less air in the suit that can shift around and in the worst case scenario turn you upside down or stick you onto a ceiling (if you're diving an overhead) which you're then unable to dump if you have it in your suit, unlike gas in a BCD which you should still be able to dump even then by reaching back to the OPV.
Love my 4th element shorts, nice tight is beneficial cause the belt only does so much. Only drawback is on of the pocket loops broke a year into diving mine. Easy fix though
Funny I pretty much have the same set up. Exep my fins are OMS ones and I have the non redundant donut 😁. And I also chew threw the apeks shorts. It's sad because they are good shorts but the pockets just aren't up to scratch.
I would love some opinions on the environmental cap position, James stated there is no one way and I agree, Just looking for feed back. Why position the environmental cap in side? If you position bottom LP port inside, you an have less bend in the hoses. Does this matter, probably not. I been trained to setup both ways, one instructor swore your can rip the cap off (and he's seen it) in a over head environment, the other said, so what if you do its a cover and sealed underneath. The Fourth Element look awesome, but another $100 more then the Apex. With as much as you dive, I do not think you are going to get more then a year of life from the Velcro pockets. Also... Long Live HP100 Doubles.
Not sure what you mean there. The Tek3s are designed to have the environmental caps facing inward and all the hoses come out the bottom at slight angles. You just pick which port gives the best angle. So on the left post the front inner port can go to the necklace and the back inner to the R/H inflator. I use the outer LP port to go to my drysuit. On the right post the long hose goes to the front outer port and the front inner to the L/H inflator. I can't see this would be better if all the hoses started further toward the centre. And even in an overhead environment you would really have to be trying to get something to poke down between the 1st stages.
Scubapro makes some good robust tech shorts, in a good price as well. Chekc them out, maybe they'll cover your needs. Keep up the great work btw, Love your vids mate. Might b interesting to actually review all the equipment you use in your tech setup. Greetings and Salutations from Greece!
I use the DGX tech shorts. Not super great fit on land/boat cause they sag but it’s the water no complaints 2 clip of points in each pocket. Cheap and solid enough for me
Hi James good episode👍 Any plans to move over to a rebreather. With they type if diving described would a rebreather be more efficient not to mention helium cost saving. Would appreciate your comments cheers Brian
James it was great diving the Spiegle Grove with you this month. I use the Fourth element tech shorts. They are pricey but very comfortable. Hope to get down to Key Largo and dive with you again.
Where do you get your Fourth Element tech shorts? I’ve been hunting the internet and can’t find them in stock anywhere (unless you’re XS or 4XL…). 35” waste, 195 pounds, I think I need a L or XL, but those sizes don’t seem to be in stock. Any recommendations? Thanks!
@@gsddad120 Thanks; I took a look at their site (lots of great stuff!), and they too are out of stock for my size. I put in a back order with Dive Right In Scuba; we’ll see how long it takes.
90-degree connector between the hose and regulator second stage: having watched a variety of videos on DIR/Hogarthian/Tech rig set-ups, I’ve seen a 90-degree connector on the long hose, on the back up, on both, and on neither. I see you have a 90-degree only on your primary. What are the pros and cons of the different configurations? Many thanks James!
Great content I use the mares tech shorts. Same material as their drysuit (kevlar and all that) and so far they serve me well. But, i don't dive as much as i'd like to. Maybe have a look
Hey James, interesting video! You didn't cover weights/ballasting? Do you carry suitable ballast on your scubaunit (ie P weight etc) or simply use a weight belt? I guess if you are predominantly diving in wetsuits then just the negative buoyancy of the SU will be perhaps enough? Also, can you cover where you store and clip off all that stuff? I have be experimenting with "left pocket emergency" "right pocket normal" type stowage arrangement, so spare mask, spare reels, spare cutting device, spare torch all go in the left pocket (stuff i mostly won't have to use), and the right pocket is dSMB/ primary real, wetnotes & diveplan etc ie stuff i'll use every dive
Hi James thanks for the video, great as always. Quick question, where do you store your big boy reel if it does not fit in the dry suit pocket? Kind rgds Andrea
As a GUE diver they don't believe in personal choose. You can choose brand, but not type. They also don't believe in dual bladder BCD. GUE also doesn't believe in asking questions like why. They also don't allow me to use a backup computer, and the 1 computer I do have has to be in gauge mode. The more I think about GUE the more I wonder why I'm doing it.
Great point and v important, a problem across technical diving. One size does not fit all, body size, flexibility, age, injury etc effect how a person wants to set up a comfortable balanced rig, if instructors don't allow for this, they are hindering their students in my humble opinion. I see self important instructors preaching 'their way' is the only way all the time. The idea is to practice basic skills to a standard, not to make it more difficult for the diver.
GUE are pretty clear that their level of standardization reflects their specific needs: a beginning with the end in mind philosophy, and the need for team consistency in the projects that they are training divers towards participating in. That standardization doesn't imply there is only one way to solve a problem, but rather they identify a greater functional benefit in consistency. Configurations and protocols can be objectively better or worse in general. Some can be objectively better or worse based on local needs. Some can be better or worse when diver compatibility is a priority. Knowing the difference between those different cases is important for divers to understand. However, one thing I've noticed about GUE over the years is that they can always give a reasoned and compelling explanation for their approaches. There is a high level of attention to detail and logic evident. That's what matters for me; the level of attention to detail applied to judgements, and whether a decision can be logically substantiated with all factors considered. That is often lacking amongst technical divers when they're making and defending their choices. I am not a GUE diver/instructor btw.
No, "every technical diver" doesn't agree that redundant buoyancy is necessary. The 'DIR' school has always prioritized the Balanced Rig Principle - which should be discussed in any feature about technical diving gear configuration. Large capacity redundant wings are a bit anachronistic; a throwback to when high capacity steels were dived with thick wetsuits; something that any well-trained tech diver should know is ill-advisable and very difficult to make a reasonable argument for. It's worth mentioning that commonly accepted best practice suggests the redundant LPI should not be connected during dives. It was shown connected in your video. It's a mistake that has caused too many injuries and fatalities to be overlooked. Read the reports of Annelie Wada's fatal accident in South Africa... I'm interested in your rationale and calculations involved with choosing the 60lb wing. My guess is that you planned the requirement based on HP100s, as 40lbs is a far more typical requirement for AL80s or AL100s. Wing lift calculation is often neglected in tech training; it'd be a good topic for a future video. Whilst lift bags are a solution for redundant buoyancy, it requires extensive practice. Far too many tech divers content themselves with hypothetical solutions that dismiss risks, rather than functionally addressing them. I've seen divers who have only done a 'lift bag ascent' in confined or shallow water... and then opt to be reliant on that for real dives. They aren't practiced with the technique for real-world tech ascents; and all the complexity and task loading that comes with it. The reality is that it's a very hard skill, and takes a lot of routine, deliberate practice to become reliable. Most are incapable of doing it for real, i.e. it's not actually a risk mitigation... it is a convenient means of risk dismissal.
Hi James, I am just starting to look at the long hose set up, with a back plate and wing. I am only diving recreationally at the moment in the UK. THis video suggets that i may not need t drop loads of cash on a branded back plate. Will non branded hamper set up of the wing or is there a base standard they meet ? Generally speaking of course
James, your videos are thoroughly enjoyable. I too have a DST/XTX50 setup. Is the Apeks bungee kit necessarily better than the traditional zip-tie/bungee arrangement?
Redundancy does add another failure point, but a high school probability calculation shows that overall reliability is much greater, because although the bad probabilites add, the good side of the equation goes up by a power of 2. Otherwise, why would anyone ever have redundancy in a safety critical system?
Great teaching James. The advice will help me in the future when I am proficient enough to start TEC. By the way how is the ear doing? Able to start diving again?.
Great video as always! few question/comments : - the rubber hoses for the regulators look a bit bent at the first stage, would it be better to use miflex hoses? - the hose protector for the SPG, any reason for having it (the protector)? I have always been told/suggested not to use hose protectors as accumulate salt and not noticing early sign of leakage - I use the drysuit as buoyancy backup but I do agree with your points even if I would consider the risk of improper usage of the drysuit as emergency buoyancy device quite low (considering that I would call the dive and be in a semi emergency situation) - I also prefer not to use AI for computers but I don't have strong argumentations against (I was teach like that), do you have some views? - I think you are missing some wetnotes for your deco plans
I have the same rig and the reg hoses are fine. I've stayed with rubber for the long hose because miflex can be a bit floaty and I want it to stay round my neck. I have changed to miflex for the alternate because the run is much shorter and it stays put. I also use miflex for the inflator and dry suit hoses as they are as you say easier to route.
Maybe I'm just missing something but I can't find a video showing your Recreational SCUBA setup. What's the title of the video or do you have a link. Many thanks in advance.
What are your preferred cylinders for deco gas. Do you just complete deco on your back gas without gas switches? I have found slinging 80s of deco gas very challenging where 40s are very easy and you barely notice them.
Thanks very much as always James for your informational videos! I realise on both your recreational and tech setups that you don't link your inflator and corrugated hoses to your chest d ring via a loop as I have seen some people do. I have always wondered whether that is a good idea as there seems to be a trade-off between safety/easiness to deflate and streamlining. Would love to have your view on this. Thanks in advance and keep up the great content! #askdiversready
Trying to figure out to get a donut wing system either from Apeks or from OMS. Have two shops in my town, one sells Apeks and the other OMS, each sells the best 😂. What would you prefer and why?
Hi James! Thx for another great video. How does having 2 different computer work for you? I used to have Petrel and Xdeep/Ganz and switched to 2 Petrels as having slightly different run-times even when using same GFs and having different key sequences for gas switches was driving me mad.
If you don’t plan on diving for a while do you still store the DSMB folded up? I really was intrigued by the idea of using a dry suit as backup lift (never having dived one) until you educated me up in that. Thanks!!! I’ve thought about getting the GOPRO 9 to upgrade from my fake pro. Have you had any stability issues or problems with the touchscreen?
Right post (left from our POV in the video): Long hose (and primary regulator). Runs down the right side, under the mentioned cutting tool to hold the hose at the right hip, up to the left shoulder, around the back of the head and clips to the right chest D-ring. Primary Inflator. Runs from the right post to the left inflator hose. Crosses between the reg hose and the other inflator. Left post ( right from our POV in the video): Short hose (and secondary regulator). Runs from the post, around the head, and onto a necklace. Secondary inflator. Runs from the left post to the right inflator. Is the lowest of the 3 hoses crossing directly from the 1st stages. (ordered by importance: secondary inflator, primary inflator, secondary regulator) SPG. On a couple foot hose to clip of at the hip. Just a standard brass and glass SPG.
Could a student opt to take your Tec course in a side mount setup instead of having to use the back mounted doubles that you provide during your course if they already have the equipment. I deal with a back injury but would still love to get the opportunity to go through your Tec divers course
You could but by the time you did how much was spent and how long did it take? Poking around FB marketplace for used scuba stuff is where I find mine for about 1/2 price.
I think these were superseded by the XTX 200. The XTX 100 secondary stage is pretty much the XTX 50 with a chrome accent. The big difference is in the first stage, but with the XTX 50 now coming with the DST first stage, I think that's a better choice than the older XTX 100. You can even get a 5th port on the DST if you want.
I bought the Highland Tech shorts and couldn't get them to stay on. I wouldn't recommend them. I switched to dry suit last year so I never tried another brand.
Nice video as always. Possible subject for a video (tangentiallly related to the Perdix) - what’s your thoughts or opinion on orgs like GUE and UTD not liking or using dive computers on tech dives, except as a gauge and bottom timer? Seems odd the would offer software to plan the dive but not trust a computer on the dive.
@@KB-gd6fc Well that seems like a relatively recent change. I’d be interested in understanding the reasoning given computing has increased safety in every other area it’s used. I’ve seen some heated debates and as someone who works in computing it seems like it’s based on out of date assumptions. I could be wrong. I figure James can give us an informed insight. I’ve also seen tec orgs that have no issues I ask because I’ve recently seen a lecture on TH-cam from DAN South Africa by Professor Simon Mitchell about accidents where a dive instructor died during a class after taking a CO2 hit. The looked at his computer data and it turns out he was being nearly constantly warned about the issue and he turned off the warning. Because it seems he didn’t trust his computer.
@@mikesbigadventures194 Like I said, GUE does use computers. It took a while for GUE to get on-board with computers because GUE is generally cautious about introducing new gadgets to their kit. Computers proved their worth over time and made the cut. BUT, computers are not a substitute for a deep understanding of decompression theory. Blindly following a computer with no understanding of how it arrives to it's numbers is what GUE is against. Not the computer itself.
@@KB-gd6fc Yeah, don't disagree. Perhaps its a perception thing then with GUE that they need to clarify. UTD are pretty adamant though and I still find that curious.
@@mikesbigadventures194 GUE is still trying to shake off the negative perception from decades ago. Dive with any GUE trained diver today. 9/10 chance they'll be sporting a Perdex.
When it comes to using your drysuit as a buoyancy device in an emergency, like Gene Krantz said: I don't care what it's designed to do, I only care what it CAN do.
Steel 100s are the best..Steel 131s are heavy as shit, but pumped up, you got gas all day...Also steel denotes less weight around your waist and better buoyancy when your gas gets low..Always dove oms back plate and banded wings with one inflater hose with Poseidon's. You can never have enough gas. Lose a mask,a fin, no biggie..Outta air..your screwed. North Atlantic wreck diving was my primary location..Safe diving.
Because when you dive in a rashguard in shorts you will be terribly negative at the start of the dive. I've done wetsuit dives with that setup in sidemount and my OPV was screaming and I was barely neutral.
@@Teampegleg Sure but why the lead blocks on the waits belt then. If I had a dive shop somewhere warm I would get a D12 steel set for the "cold" and a Al 80cu double set for the warm rashguard diving. I would hate to put lead on AL doubles and handle the extra weight. Doubles are heavy enough as they are without the extra lead.
Bro I use my drysuit for buoyancy constantly I don’t need to “put more air than necessary” 🤦🏻♂️ I just loft my suit and bam perfect buoyancy no big bubble of air and neck seal has never once burped on me or my wrist seals when I dive them (mostly dive dry glove) seems like you have a lot of issues with your drysuit maybe get a DUI
In Europe Technical GUE means paying loads off money for Santi,Halcyon and GUE courses. Rec Divers are dying because off the high prices the lds's are asking these days, cuzz everything is Tech diving and means paying more money.
I'm curious about the preferences of AL80s over steel. I dove a few springs in Florida this weekend and noticed all the cave folks were in steel doubles. At first I assumed it was due to being more negative buoyant because they were all in dry suits, but then this video mentions dry suit diving.
there are a few reasons. 1. steel tanks typically hold me air so you can extend your dives longer and/or have a wider safety margin if things go south . 2. steel tanks tend to trim out better as you get lower on gas. AL tanks tend to get "floaty" on the fat end of the tank as they empty which makes it great for a decompression bottle but harder to manage a consistent body position throughout your dive when strapped onto your back 3. they tend to be heavier which means you need to carry less weight if you need weight. this is especially true if you wear a drysuit which typically require thick undergarments.
@@D.H.CE_FL i do not know. they are lighter so they are easier to lug around but i think the advantages of steel make it a better choice in most cases. i dont know a lot of technical divers who dive AL tanks.
Speaking purely as my perspective as a cave diver, I have minimal experience as an open water tech diver (in fact my only OW tech divers were in class with James). The other advantages are nice but the primary reason you see steels in cave country is gas volume to size ratio. My LP85s are the same size AL80s, yet they contain more gas than both of them when properly filled (as in overfilled). Which means between the two tanks you get the same amount of drag but you get more gas. More gas is important as many of the cave systems are quite deep, Devil's is about 80-100 feet once you get past Keyhole. Little River quickly goes to 100 feet. We also have longer times at that depth as it isn't uncommon to swim a thousand feet or more. My most recent cave dive was 1,400 feet swim in, with a total swim distance probably close to a half a mile (we detoured a little on the exit). All while reserving at least a third of our gas for emergencies. OTOH in Mexico because it is so shallow everything is done with AL80s, even for the backmount mafia that is the GUE. Take Nohoch, which is a absolutely wonderful cave Blueworld did a great video on it recently, max depth less than 30 feet you get a 2 hour dive on reduced thirds (hard thirds is too aggressive for Mexico). When you want to go deeper in Mexico, you just grab a stage bottle or two. The Regina dive, video on my channel BTW, had a max depth of 100 feet, and was just short of 2 hours. Was done on 3 AL80s.
Sorry James, I'm sure this was a great video but I could not focus on what you were saying as I was too busy admiring your awesome Grogu LEGO set in the background 😂
I appreciate the level of professional knowledge and the humility this man talks with.. Defenitly would like this bloke as an instructor
Thanks sitting duck!
Diving dry, I think wings are waste. We started diving with Unisuits when they came out back in the 70s on shipwrecks (Michigan) and found BCs unnecessary. There were no octopus rigs when I started but I did carry a 33cf pony bottle, obviously with its own reg, but it was not for public consumption. I was the only one in my group that ever had to use their pony, and then it was only twice; one time to finish out decom stop.
We carried real knives. I got tangled up in some electrical wiring hanging down from a ceiling in about 125' in the Monrovia, and was glad for the size and type of blade it was. On the other side, I dove on wrecks for almost 10 years, and it was the only time I used it.
Dive lights today are amazing compared to what was available when I stated diving (1968). I wound up making my own from a friend's design that would never hold up in warm water because it was a 6 volt tractor headlight that I ran 14 volts through. We were diving in 39 to 42 degree water, and never had a bulb burn out. It was extremely bright, and friends always new what room I was in because all the portholes had light glaring out of them.
We carried spools of line back then, but not anything with 400', and certainly not the same quality. I got lost on the stern of the Danial J Morrell and found out my 220' of line was not enough. I only used it once, but without it, I wouldn't have gotten the decoming I was able to complete. We always had a tank of pure O2 on board for just that king of emergency, and a good supply of aspirin to thin the blood. The dose was 8 to 12 depending of body size, which was the recommended by the research Doctors at U of M . We were told to take the aspirin, lay still for at least an hour, breathing the O2. I should have spent at least 45 Min at 10 ten feet decoming, but I did what the doctors said, and didn't get bent. 4 hours later, I went down an retrieved my line.
Diving equipment has certainly changed, and I would say mostly for better, especially concerning dive computers. My first one was the SOS Decompression Meter, which we affectionately called the "benz-o-matic". It could only do one thing, and not very well. Obviously, we had a working knowledge of the Navy Dive Tables.
BCs using dry suits at depth and octopus rigs; No thanks, way to much unnecessary junk. Of course, we only had compressed air (mixed gas was mostly a theory in until the late 70s and wasn't available to sport divers until much later), so we needed life underwater to be as simple as possible.
We had 2 sayings that we lived by. 1. Plan your dive, and dive your plan. 2. There are old divers, and there are bold divers, but there are no old, bold divers.
Adding lights to your "studio/dive locker" will definitely help, but using dive lights can cause problems. They are meant to be more directional and can make for harsh lighting. In this video you have some pretty harsh lighting and shadows on your face. A light diffuser in front of the dive light you use as studio lighting will do wonders! In fact, adding more overhead lights that have built in diffusers spread around will help add more light and reduce shadows.
In your last video you mentioned the desire to step up your production quality. May I suggest 3 things? One is the better camera, which you now have (2 of them), better lighting, and better microphones. I'm not saying yours is bad, but as you want to improve quality, think about those. Having some more lighting around the whole room and a few on your face will do wonders. The trick is that light needs to be diffused and preferably from multiple angles (left front, straight on, right front). A good ring light, or 2 or 3, will help with this. For microphones - until you feel confident having multiple microphones (editing multiple for one person is tough) just stick with one really good one. You seem to have done well with microphones and I don't remember what you do, but sometimes things are off a little. A good shotgun microphone mounted on the camera can be good if you aren't moving around too much. I prefer them over lavalier microphones since people always seem to bump or rub them making really bad noises. Or they turn their head and we hear nothing.
Anyway, good luck! My wife and I are doing AOW in the next month or 2 and are getting excited for our trip this summer with dives in the Florida springs and off coastal Carolina!
I recently got certified open water and I think you are my new favourite TH-camr. Your videos are passionate and entertaining and I am as a result I am even more into scuba and looking to book my Nitrox and Advanced 30 course.
I remember seeing a FFM on the shelf in one of your videos and was wondering if you did a video on them? I must have missed it.
In any case, keep doing what you are doing!
The Fourth Element Tech Shorts are the bomb!!! A little pricey, but you get what you pay for. Highly recommend!!!!
I my self like Apeks and the XT-50 is a bullet proof reg. I am thinking about getting into tech diving and I am looking at much of the same gear. So, thank you for going over your setup. I am in the same boat with the shop I work is a AL and Apeks as well as Dive Rite so I am still shopping. Thank you for your hats work and all the stuff you do.
I LOVE my Mares XR tech shorts! Stout zippers, good wide pockets with plenty of attachment points, and the stretchy Velcro waist looks gimmicky but after a little adjusting is actually solid and comfortable. There’s also a Kevlar butt area that doesn’t wear at all. I’ve had mine for a year and they still look brand new even with many tech dives/dming
This was a great video for those starting tech. I appreciate it.
04:30 Thank you for the grate insight and perspective. I became dry suit certified (CMAS) last yare in November and was thought to use the dry suit as the primary buoyancy control underwater and the BCD on the surface and as a backup if the suit valves malfunction. But again thanks for the different angle, appreciated!
in my diving experience, I noticed that the drysuit is much slower in dumping gas, it works fine as buoyancy device in normal case but if for water reason you need to dump quickly gas to avoid ascend then it is not efficient. Also, if you move to trimix you will need to use a spare little tank for to inflate the suit, you will use too much gas for adjust your buoyancy
@@Marco-bq4hj Thank you for the perspective. Well trimix that’s some ways away for me (Not even NITROX certified) but yeah maybe in the future. Oh, and yes I can see the aspect of “gas-in-gas-out” in a drysuit setup. Again it is cool to get different perspectives on the subject!
I didn't think anyone still taught use of the drysuit for primary buoyancy control. A drysuit is not designed for that purpose and can be quite awkward to get the gas out of, especially if you have a problem. Keep just enough air in the suit to relieve the squeeze and stay warm; that's it! BCDs and wings are designed so you can always dump whatever position you have in the water, and are far easier to fine tune.
@@timgosling6189 Thanks for the info, I even brought out my CMAS/ SSDF (Swedish Sports Divers Association) course literature to re-read the parts about dry suit buoyance just to double-check myself and I clearly says “During drysuit diving the BCD function as a life preserver, used on the surface to secure bouncy or in an emergency” and “if combining drysuit and BCD you have four valves to manage instead of two” (this is me translating from Swedish to English btw. And I am not a trained translator) and that's how I was taught during the course, in 2020…a real year of hindsight.
But it also says: “When you gain more experience you may experiment with combining small amounts of air in your BCD”. Honestly I have noticed that the general consensus of using minimum amount of air to prevent squeeze and then primary use the BCD for bouncy control is quite prevalent, but that’s also what is interesting with the sport, to get different people’s perspective on technique and method of use. So certified, but still learning.
It is very interesting. I am a CMAS ** Instructor, and I teach also dry suit course, but I have never heared anything about that in our organization.
Finally someone that doesn’t puke at the sight of a dual bladder wing. I have your exact setup from Apeks. (Backplate/harness, Tek 3 Regs and of course the WTX-D60R wing) I’ve been told by multiple training agencies that I can’t train with it. Looks like I might be coming to you for tech training.
Ready when you are buddy!
Regarding the dual bladders, it's really a personal thing, i genuinely don';t think there is a wrong answer, so long as you are practiced in using your partifular setup. Realistically a bladder failure for well looked after and inspected gear is pretty rare, i don't think i've ever actually seen one, but it's possible, so redundancy (esp when bottomless as mentioned) is key, but how that redundancy is allocated is un-important imo. For me, i feel the second LPi and hose just gets in the way too much for the 99.9999% of dives where i'm not using it, and all my tech dives are in a drysuit, so that's the option for me at the moment, and realistically, any failure of primary buoyancy means dive over at that point. if i were doing extended Deco in cold water, or deep pentrations, then yes, i'd almost certainly swap to a dual bladder allowing a seamless transition in the event of a primary bladder failure :-)
Agree with you on the redundancy in your wing, you could still use a dry suit for triple redundancy if both inflators fail
As a last resort. When all else fails...
Great video. Always nice to hear and see how you do things.
Hi James! Great advice as always - Really enjoying your channel! Just wanted to let you know, that I've been using the Fourth Element Tec Shorts for about 50 dives in warm water now, and I couldn't be happier. Since I use a wing configuration, that doesn't provide any pockets, they have become my main place to store about anything I bring on a regular dive (torches, boltsnaps, spare mask, SMBs, line, white balance sheet, etc.). I really like the pocket layout and size, especially the super large lids, which are even suitable for use with gloves. If you have the chance, I'd really recommend having a look at them. Have a great season, stay safe and best regards from Switzerland!
Awesome! Thanks for sharing your gear list. Enjoy and dive safe.
Good video James! I'd say though that drysuits don't just have three holes in them. They have four! The dump valve :-)
That said, I dive a drysuit all the time and love it. We generally use our drysuits as our primary buoyancy control device too, not really for warmth per-se. It's very convenient to roll to dump and press on the chest inflator valve to inflate.
I think the Standardized gear configuration works best in a team environment. E.g., I know where your gear is and how it operates, and you know where my gear is and how it operates in case of an emergency where SCR's and critical thinking skills are increased. This "way" of diving also helps mitigate risk to the team as a whole. While your configuration looks excellent, and I am sure it works just fine-we would both have to have a gear configuration chat before tech diving together on the surface. That might require recreational familiarization dives until one feels comfortable responding to an emergency to a buddy's gear selection. Food for thought.
Great video. 👍 I also agree with not using a drysuit and a backup buoyancy device. In the Caribbean you may only need a 3mm wetsuit anyway.
I love the apex tec shorts
I like that you're practical with your advice where I don't have to buy branded equipment, etc. I am researching what to buy for my rec scuba gear, and the prices can be financially overwhelming when you search online for the "best" equipment. X_X
I'd be interested to see how you mount your deco tanks, I carry mine sidemounted using Diverite style ring bungies and a butt plate. My regular dive buddy used to swear by the GUE all on one side setup but has now switched to sidemounted too. I find Diverite XT fins trim well for most diving configurations except for backmounted steel twins with a drysuit. For that I use ScubaPro Jets.
I am a recreational diver in Norway, so I pretty much only dive a drysuit here, and on most dives I only use the suit for buoyancy. If you're properly weighted, then there shouldn't be too much air in the suit anyways, and the air you put in the suit is also used to insulate, so why would you put that air in an air sack where it only compensates for buoyancy.
Because it's more difficult to control buoyancy with a drysuit full of air? I was taught to just put enough air in the suit to prevent squeeze.
@@schmohawke No one said that dry suit is gonna be full of air. With proper weight you just don't have to use bcd. Air I use to avoid squeeze is just enough for bouyancy.
@@schmohawke the obvious answer is because otherwise you have to simultaneously manage two sources of buoyancy.
For example, if you're at 30m and you've got just enough air in your suit to prevent squeeze and some in your bcd. What do you do if something causes you to start to ascend (e.g, poor dsmb deployment, bcd inflator stuck open etc etc) - with two sources of buoyancy, you need to be dumping from both drysuit and bcd simultaneously as the expanding air will increase your speed to the surface. At 30m, the gas in your drysuit will Have expanded 3x it's volume if you've not dumped any,
Always dive with only one source of buoyancy, makes diving so much safer.
@@C3110player You do realize that dumping gas from your BCD will automatically dump gas from your suit as you raise your arm to dump air? Honestly controlling your buoyancy with the BCD and using the suit for preventing squeeze will be much safer because there will be much less air in the suit that can shift around and in the worst case scenario turn you upside down or stick you onto a ceiling (if you're diving an overhead) which you're then unable to dump if you have it in your suit, unlike gas in a BCD which you should still be able to dump even then by reaching back to the OPV.
Love my 4th element shorts, nice tight is beneficial cause the belt only does so much. Only drawback is on of the pocket loops broke a year into diving mine. Easy fix though
Funny I pretty much have the same set up. Exep my fins are OMS ones and I have the non redundant donut 😁. And I also chew threw the apeks shorts. It's sad because they are good shorts but the pockets just aren't up to scratch.
apex tec shorts, perfect balance between comfort and utility
I would love some opinions on the environmental cap position, James stated there is no one way and I agree, Just looking for feed back. Why position the environmental cap in side? If you position bottom LP port inside, you an have less bend in the hoses. Does this matter, probably not. I been trained to setup both ways, one instructor swore your can rip the cap off (and he's seen it) in a over head environment, the other said, so what if you do its a cover and sealed underneath.
The Fourth Element look awesome, but another $100 more then the Apex. With as much as you dive, I do not think you are going to get more then a year of life from the Velcro pockets. Also... Long Live HP100 Doubles.
Not sure what you mean there. The Tek3s are designed to have the environmental caps facing inward and all the hoses come out the bottom at slight angles. You just pick which port gives the best angle. So on the left post the front inner port can go to the necklace and the back inner to the R/H inflator. I use the outer LP port to go to my drysuit. On the right post the long hose goes to the front outer port and the front inner to the L/H inflator. I can't see this would be better if all the hoses started further toward the centre. And even in an overhead environment you would really have to be trying to get something to poke down between the 1st stages.
Scubapro makes some good robust tech shorts, in a good price as well. Chekc them out, maybe they'll cover your needs.
Keep up the great work btw, Love your vids mate. Might b interesting to actually review all the equipment you use in your tech setup.
Greetings and Salutations from Greece!
Haven't used them, Mares looks interesting. When I replace my current one (Divers Direct)was looking for cheap. I'm going to try the Mares.
Very nice set up.
Awesome video. Great info.
I use the DGX tech shorts. Not super great fit on land/boat cause they sag but it’s the water no complaints
2 clip of points in each pocket. Cheap and solid enough for me
I think they’ve been discontinued. They aren’t online any longer.
Hi James good episode👍 Any plans to move over to a rebreather. With they type if diving described would a rebreather be more efficient not to mention helium cost saving. Would appreciate your comments cheers Brian
Interesting...my set-up is very similar. Wounder who influenced me...
😆
You mentioned using contacts during your dives, doesn’t it become an issue when your clearing your mask or changing your mask underwater ?
Great video.
James it was great diving the Spiegle Grove with you this month. I use the Fourth element tech shorts. They are pricey but very comfortable. Hope to get down to Key Largo and dive with you again.
Where do you get your Fourth Element tech shorts? I’ve been hunting the internet and can’t find them in stock anywhere (unless you’re XS or 4XL…). 35” waste, 195 pounds, I think I need a L or XL, but those sizes don’t seem to be in stock. Any recommendations? Thanks!
@@kurttidd8922 I ordered mine from Paragon dive adventures in Tucson Arizona they have an online store.
@@gsddad120 Thanks; I took a look at their site (lots of great stuff!), and they too are out of stock for my size. I put in a back order with Dive Right In Scuba; we’ll see how long it takes.
90-degree connector between the hose and regulator second stage: having watched a variety of videos on DIR/Hogarthian/Tech rig set-ups, I’ve seen a 90-degree connector on the long hose, on the back up, on both, and on neither. I see you have a 90-degree only on your primary. What are the pros and cons of the different configurations? Many thanks James!
Great content
I use the mares tech shorts. Same material as their drysuit (kevlar and all that) and so far they serve me well. But, i don't dive as much as i'd like to. Maybe have a look
Hey James, interesting video! You didn't cover weights/ballasting? Do you carry suitable ballast on your scubaunit (ie P weight etc) or simply use a weight belt? I guess if you are predominantly diving in wetsuits then just the negative buoyancy of the SU will be perhaps enough?
Also, can you cover where you store and clip off all that stuff? I have be experimenting with "left pocket emergency" "right pocket normal" type stowage arrangement, so spare mask, spare reels, spare cutting device, spare torch all go in the left pocket (stuff i mostly won't have to use), and the right pocket is dSMB/ primary real, wetnotes & diveplan etc ie stuff i'll use every dive
Good video. Thank you.
Damn that was pretty thorough. I appreciate this info, thank you. I am curious though what kind of fins you prefer for each configuration.
Hi James can you make a video comparing divecomputer suunto D5 , aqualung i470TC, aqualung i200C
Sure. Send me those computers and I'd be happy to.
Hi James thanks for the video, great as always. Quick question, where do you store your big boy reel if it does not fit in the dry suit pocket? Kind rgds Andrea
As a GUE diver they don't believe in personal choose. You can choose brand, but not type. They also don't believe in dual bladder BCD. GUE also doesn't believe in asking questions like why.
They also don't allow me to use a backup computer, and the 1 computer I do have has to be in gauge mode.
The more I think about GUE the more I wonder why I'm doing it.
Without naming names, that was kind of my point... !
Great point and v important, a problem across technical diving. One size does not fit all, body size, flexibility, age, injury etc effect how a person wants to set up a comfortable balanced rig, if instructors don't allow for this, they are hindering their students in my humble opinion. I see self important instructors preaching 'their way' is the only way all the time. The idea is to practice basic skills to a standard, not to make it more difficult for the diver.
GUE are pretty clear that their level of standardization reflects their specific needs: a beginning with the end in mind philosophy, and the need for team consistency in the projects that they are training divers towards participating in.
That standardization doesn't imply there is only one way to solve a problem, but rather they identify a greater functional benefit in consistency.
Configurations and protocols can be objectively better or worse in general. Some can be objectively better or worse based on local needs. Some can be better or worse when diver compatibility is a priority. Knowing the difference between those different cases is important for divers to understand.
However, one thing I've noticed about GUE over the years is that they can always give a reasoned and compelling explanation for their approaches. There is a high level of attention to detail and logic evident.
That's what matters for me; the level of attention to detail applied to judgements, and whether a decision can be logically substantiated with all factors considered. That is often lacking amongst technical divers when they're making and defending their choices.
I am not a GUE diver/instructor btw.
No, "every technical diver" doesn't agree that redundant buoyancy is necessary. The 'DIR' school has always prioritized the Balanced Rig Principle - which should be discussed in any feature about technical diving gear configuration.
Large capacity redundant wings are a bit anachronistic; a throwback to when high capacity steels were dived with thick wetsuits; something that any well-trained tech diver should know is ill-advisable and very difficult to make a reasonable argument for.
It's worth mentioning that commonly accepted best practice suggests the redundant LPI should not be connected during dives. It was shown connected in your video. It's a mistake that has caused too many injuries and fatalities to be overlooked. Read the reports of Annelie Wada's fatal accident in South Africa...
I'm interested in your rationale and calculations involved with choosing the 60lb wing. My guess is that you planned the requirement based on HP100s, as 40lbs is a far more typical requirement for AL80s or AL100s.
Wing lift calculation is often neglected in tech training; it'd be a good topic for a future video.
Whilst lift bags are a solution for redundant buoyancy, it requires extensive practice. Far too many tech divers content themselves with hypothetical solutions that dismiss risks, rather than functionally addressing them. I've seen divers who have only done a 'lift bag ascent' in confined or shallow water... and then opt to be reliant on that for real dives. They aren't practiced with the technique for real-world tech ascents; and all the complexity and task loading that comes with it. The reality is that it's a very hard skill, and takes a lot of routine, deliberate practice to become reliable. Most are incapable of doing it for real, i.e. it's not actually a risk mitigation... it is a convenient means of risk dismissal.
Hi James, I am just starting to look at the long hose set up, with a back plate and wing. I am only diving recreationally at the moment in the UK. THis video suggets that i may not need t drop loads of cash on a branded back plate. Will non branded hamper set up of the wing or is there a base standard they meet ? Generally speaking of course
Really enjoyed listening 👍
Had the same issue. Had to exit the video and restart it (on mobile).
James, your videos are thoroughly enjoyable. I too have a DST/XTX50 setup. Is the Apeks bungee kit necessarily better than the traditional zip-tie/bungee arrangement?
Very very thanks for your video 🤗👌🐬🐬🐬
thanks
great video
keep them coming pls
cheers mate
Redundancy does add another failure point, but a high school probability calculation shows that overall reliability is much greater, because although the bad probabilites add, the good side of the equation goes up by a power of 2. Otherwise, why would anyone ever have redundancy in a safety critical system?
Why didn’t you choose the Apeks XTX 5th port conversion first stages ? Instead of the Tek 3s The hose routing would have been neater.
I had Tek3 s on my doubles for a year and then switched to DSTs with a 5th port.
Much better routing and no bent hoses.
Great teaching James. The advice will help me in the future when I am proficient enough to start TEC. By the way how is the ear doing? Able to start diving again?.
Great video as always!
few question/comments :
- the rubber hoses for the regulators look a bit bent at the first stage, would it be better to use miflex hoses?
- the hose protector for the SPG, any reason for having it (the protector)? I have always been told/suggested not to use hose protectors as accumulate salt and not noticing early sign of leakage
- I use the drysuit as buoyancy backup but I do agree with your points even if I would consider the risk of improper usage of the drysuit as emergency buoyancy device quite low (considering that I would call the dive and be in a semi emergency situation)
- I also prefer not to use AI for computers but I don't have strong argumentations against (I was teach like that), do you have some views?
- I think you are missing some wetnotes for your deco plans
Having a miflex hose on your long hose will irritate the back of your neck if you are not wearing a hood...
@@troymiller1524 good point, I always use a hood, normally diving in cold but also in warmer water I found a thin hood to protect my hears
I have the same rig and the reg hoses are fine. I've stayed with rubber for the long hose because miflex can be a bit floaty and I want it to stay round my neck. I have changed to miflex for the alternate because the run is much shorter and it stays put. I also use miflex for the inflator and dry suit hoses as they are as you say easier to route.
Check out the tech shorts from Dive Gear Express. Well made and half the price of Apex.
Maybe I'm just missing something but I can't find a video showing your Recreational SCUBA setup. What's the title of the video or do you have a link. Many thanks in advance.
What are your preferred cylinders for deco gas. Do you just complete deco on your back gas without gas switches? I have found slinging 80s of deco gas very challenging where 40s are very easy and you barely notice them.
Nice video, but do you realy use primary dive computer on the left wirst?
You should tell those GUE divers it’s ok to customize your gear to suit your personal needs.
Very similar to mine jus OMS harness and wing I totally agree with brandsreligion if it’s safe and works good enough
Thanks very much as always James for your informational videos! I realise on both your recreational and tech setups that you don't link your inflator and corrugated hoses to your chest d ring via a loop as I have seen some people do. I have always wondered whether that is a good idea as there seems to be a trade-off between safety/easiness to deflate and streamlining. Would love to have your view on this. Thanks in advance and keep up the great content! #askdiversready
What Stage Regulator do you use? Because it is undeniable, that the Tek 3 while being a great Twin-Set Regulator is not the ideal Stage Regulator.
Which drysuit/undergarments do you use?
Are you a fan of dry gloves?
Love it! Could you talk on your weight set up for twins? Not so much how much weight but where you place it.
Would love to see how you weight. Getting into drysuit driving and not loving integrated weight BC that I started with
You can see them in the video, he threads them onto the waist belt.
@@Teampegleg I saw that. So no quick release for the weights in case of emergency? What is the thinking behind that? Newbie here.
@@JeremyUSA In technical diving you typically dive a rig you can swim up even completely deflated. Also you carry a second source of buoyancy.
@@Teampegleg Ah, gotcha. Thank you very much!
Trying to figure out to get a donut wing system either from Apeks or from OMS. Have two shops in my town, one sells Apeks and the other OMS, each sells the best 😂. What would you prefer and why?
Hi James! Thx for another great video. How does having 2 different computer work for you? I used to have Petrel and Xdeep/Ganz and switched to 2 Petrels as having slightly different run-times even when using same GFs and having different key sequences for gas switches was driving me mad.
Hi James - how do you attach weight to your rig, looks like some kind of strap? Cheers
Do you require your tech student to have a double bladder?
If you don’t plan on diving for a while do you still store the DSMB folded up? I really was intrigued by the idea of using a dry suit as backup lift (never having dived one) until you educated me up in that. Thanks!!! I’ve thought about getting the GOPRO 9 to upgrade from my fake pro. Have you had any stability issues or problems with the touchscreen?
Yes, rolled up once rinsed and dried.
so, what happened to that perdix video? :)
How long are those inflator hoses?
It was a little difficult to tell where all the houses were run. A little description there would’ve been cool.
Right post (left from our POV in the video):
Long hose (and primary regulator). Runs down the right side, under the mentioned cutting tool to hold the hose at the right hip, up to the left shoulder, around the back of the head and clips to the right chest D-ring.
Primary Inflator. Runs from the right post to the left inflator hose. Crosses between the reg hose and the other inflator.
Left post ( right from our POV in the video):
Short hose (and secondary regulator). Runs from the post, around the head, and onto a necklace.
Secondary inflator. Runs from the left post to the right inflator. Is the lowest of the 3 hoses crossing directly from the 1st stages. (ordered by importance: secondary inflator, primary inflator, secondary regulator)
SPG. On a couple foot hose to clip of at the hip. Just a standard brass and glass SPG.
That's not what the video is about. Just showing what he likes to dive twin set tech with.
Check out frogkick. They show hose routing.
Hey - what is that plastic piece on the second stage holding your necklace bungee?
I haven’t done any Tec diving but why not wear BDU type shorts?
what size is your primary light
I realize that this is 9 months old, but I use kona brand shorts. They appear to be the same shorts as Apex, just half the price.
great! thanks for sharing. : )
For some odd reason I can't find your recreational diving gear setup video. :S
Could a student opt to take your Tec course in a side mount setup instead of having to use the back mounted doubles that you provide during your course if they already have the equipment. I deal with a back injury but would still love to get the opportunity to go through your Tec divers course
Hi Jeremy, you can, absolutely. But sidemount from a boat isn't much fun...
Can it you just by some regular cargo shorts? Or buy some nylon/polyester fabric and get a template and have someone make you a pair.
You could but by the time you did how much was spent and how long did it take? Poking around FB marketplace for used scuba stuff is where I find mine for about 1/2 price.
Have you tried the akuana solo shorts?
What do you think of the Apex XTX 100 I might possibly have a need for starting tec and looking at a set of these.
I think these were superseded by the XTX 200.
The XTX 100 secondary stage is pretty much the XTX 50 with a chrome accent.
The big difference is in the first stage, but with the XTX 50 now coming with the DST first stage, I think that's a better choice than the older XTX 100. You can even get a 5th port on the DST if you want.
What about dive computer consoles
Great video as always :) Where do you keep/ secure your backup mask?
I don’t know about him but I say right hand side of your tech shorts is the best place, just personal preference though
Yes, Erik, right side pocket.
And what about sidemount diving?
Man u would love to visit you some time you just seem like a nice person to hang out qith:)
Is you fin choice based on the fin's buoyancy or thrust or size?
A combination of all three.
I bought the Highland Tech shorts and couldn't get them to stay on. I wouldn't recommend them. I switched to dry suit last year so I never tried another brand.
Nice video as always. Possible subject for a video (tangentiallly related to the Perdix) - what’s your thoughts or opinion on orgs like GUE and UTD not liking or using dive computers on tech dives, except as a gauge and bottom timer? Seems odd the would offer software to plan the dive but not trust a computer on the dive.
GUE uses computers on tech dives. They just don't want to be reliant on them.
@@KB-gd6fc Well that seems like a relatively recent change. I’d be interested in understanding the reasoning given computing has increased safety in every other area it’s used. I’ve seen some heated debates and as someone who works in computing it seems like it’s based on out of date assumptions. I could be wrong. I figure James can give us an informed insight. I’ve also seen tec orgs that have no issues
I ask because I’ve recently seen a lecture on TH-cam from DAN South Africa by Professor Simon Mitchell about accidents where a dive instructor died during a class after taking a CO2 hit. The looked at his computer data and it turns out he was being nearly constantly warned about the issue and he turned off the warning. Because it seems he didn’t trust his computer.
@@mikesbigadventures194 Like I said, GUE does use computers. It took a while for GUE to get on-board with computers because GUE is generally cautious about introducing new gadgets to their kit. Computers proved their worth over time and made the cut.
BUT, computers are not a substitute for a deep understanding of decompression theory. Blindly following a computer with no understanding of how it arrives to it's numbers is what GUE is against. Not the computer itself.
@@KB-gd6fc Yeah, don't disagree. Perhaps its a perception thing then with GUE that they need to clarify. UTD are pretty adamant though and I still find that curious.
@@mikesbigadventures194 GUE is still trying to shake off the negative perception from decades ago. Dive with any GUE trained diver today. 9/10 chance they'll be sporting a Perdex.
Is there such a thing as one point harness disconnect and connect for diving I have one arm that's why I'm asking
I'm just starting to dive
Not that I am aware of, but it shouldn't be too hard to make custom.
Thank you
When it comes to using your drysuit as a buoyancy device in an emergency, like Gene Krantz said: I don't care what it's designed to do, I only care what it CAN do.
Get a Akuana tec shorts!
Steel 100s are the best..Steel 131s are heavy as shit, but pumped up, you got gas all day...Also steel denotes less weight around your waist and better buoyancy when your gas gets low..Always dove oms back plate and banded wings with one inflater hose with Poseidon's. You can never have enough gas. Lose a mask,a fin, no biggie..Outta air..your screwed. North Atlantic wreck diving was my primary location..Safe diving.
But why use double AL 80cu and lead on the belt when you can use double 12L 232bar, drop the lead, get more gas and get a lighter complete set?
Because when you dive in a rashguard in shorts you will be terribly negative at the start of the dive. I've done wetsuit dives with that setup in sidemount and my OPV was screaming and I was barely neutral.
@@Teampegleg Sure but why the lead blocks on the waits belt then. If I had a dive shop somewhere warm I would get a D12 steel set for the "cold" and a Al 80cu double set for the warm rashguard diving. I would hate to put lead on AL doubles and handle the extra weight. Doubles are heavy enough as they are without the extra lead.
@@aha200971 he lives in a warm water destination. Also he normally just gets the blocks on the boat so he isn't carrying them anywhere.
REEE Backmount me like sidemount why no sidemount cause of boat?
Bro I use my drysuit for buoyancy constantly I don’t need to “put more air than necessary” 🤦🏻♂️ I just loft my suit and bam perfect buoyancy no big bubble of air and neck seal has never once burped on me or my wrist seals when I dive them (mostly dive dry glove) seems like you have a lot of issues with your drysuit maybe get a DUI
Mares tech shorts are nice, also pricy.
Very big fitting ... but worth the money ... I bought my in a sell off of left over seasonal gear ... brilliant for travelling
In Europe Technical GUE means paying loads off money for Santi,Halcyon and GUE courses. Rec Divers are dying because off the high prices the lds's are asking these days, cuzz everything is Tech diving and means paying more money.
You sound a little Australian , great vid 👍🏼
I'm curious about the preferences of AL80s over steel. I dove a few springs in Florida this weekend and noticed all the cave folks were in steel doubles. At first I assumed it was due to being more negative buoyant because they were all in dry suits, but then this video mentions dry suit diving.
there are a few reasons.
1. steel tanks typically hold me air so you can extend your dives longer and/or have a wider safety margin if things go south .
2. steel tanks tend to trim out better as you get lower on gas. AL tanks tend to get "floaty" on the fat end of the tank as they empty which makes it great for a decompression bottle but harder to manage a consistent body position throughout your dive when strapped onto your back
3. they tend to be heavier which means you need to carry less weight if you need weight. this is especially true if you wear a drysuit which typically require thick undergarments.
@@michaellambert2976 thanks! Is there a reason James in the video would not want those same advantages by using steel over aluminum?
@@D.H.CE_FL i do not know. they are lighter so they are easier to lug around but i think the advantages of steel make it a better choice in most cases. i dont know a lot of technical divers who dive AL tanks.
Speaking purely as my perspective as a cave diver, I have minimal experience as an open water tech diver (in fact my only OW tech divers were in class with James). The other advantages are nice but the primary reason you see steels in cave country is gas volume to size ratio. My LP85s are the same size AL80s, yet they contain more gas than both of them when properly filled (as in overfilled). Which means between the two tanks you get the same amount of drag but you get more gas. More gas is important as many of the cave systems are quite deep, Devil's is about 80-100 feet once you get past Keyhole. Little River quickly goes to 100 feet. We also have longer times at that depth as it isn't uncommon to swim a thousand feet or more. My most recent cave dive was 1,400 feet swim in, with a total swim distance probably close to a half a mile (we detoured a little on the exit). All while reserving at least a third of our gas for emergencies.
OTOH in Mexico because it is so shallow everything is done with AL80s, even for the backmount mafia that is the GUE. Take Nohoch, which is a absolutely wonderful cave Blueworld did a great video on it recently, max depth less than 30 feet you get a 2 hour dive on reduced thirds (hard thirds is too aggressive for Mexico). When you want to go deeper in Mexico, you just grab a stage bottle or two. The Regina dive, video on my channel BTW, had a max depth of 100 feet, and was just short of 2 hours. Was done on 3 AL80s.
R for rebreather
Sorry James, I'm sure this was a great video but I could not focus on what you were saying as I was too busy admiring your awesome Grogu LEGO set in the background 😂