watsac.org.uk

[Jeff]

After diving last week and finding I drink air like water (at 100kg I think i will always use a lot of air)
I am starting to feel that a twin set rather th an a 15 with a pony is the way to go.
What are the advantages disadvantages to both?
Secondly if I change from my 15, using a primary and secondary regulator one main and octopus. What equipment would I need?

[Womble]

I add my (not insignifficant) weight to this question too.

James.

[ChrisB]

Start with a pony, you have all the benefits of a bail out gas, without significantly changing what you are used to. (You still breathe from the same reg, throughout the whole dive)

If you move to a twinset, assuming you don't manifold, then you have to do some reg swapping, which at the early stages of diving is a complication you don't need.

If you manifold, then you need to find some way of managing your consumption, (or a system of refilling) otherwise, you might find that you don't have enough air for a second dive, especially if you are a heavy breather......

Speaking personally, following advice from all over the place, I went from a single 12, to a single 15 to a single 15 + pony, to twin non manifolded 12's. The main thing preventiong me from manifolding is the weight and size of the 12s when carried as a single lump. Once my air consumption improves further, I might go to twin 10s and manifold, but I do have to consider the length of StuFs dives.....

I like the security that having full redundancy brings, but could have stayed with a 15 + pony quite happily if I didn't happen to have 2 12's and spare BC in the cupboard.
_________________
Chris B