Handles on Main Tanks?

[sontek]

The most inconvenient part of sidemount for me right now is lugging the tanks to the water, so I was thinking about dropping on some handles like what cave adventurers sells here: http://caveadventurers.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=42&products_id=546

Does anyone do this on their main tanks or only on their stage bottles?

[Dsix36]

The begin with; those are not meant to be carrying handles. They are merely riggings to allow attachment of the tanks to the divers harness. Carrying by them can cause them to stretch and become loose.

You can always make a simple strap to carry them with. Loop on both ends. One loop over the valve and the other loop gets clipped to the tank. Sling it over your shoulder and walk with it. I have seen at least one diver do this with his tanks and I am thinking about it myself.

[FW]

I just carry mine on my shoulder, one at time to the water.

[Greenwood_60]

...one at time to the water.

^ biggest reason I have not gone to sidemount. At times I am very close though.

[FW]

^ biggest reason I have not gone to sidemount. At times I am very close though.
With the right harness, you can "wear" them both to the water together, but then you may as well be backmount :-D

[hhn_caver]

I carry all my stage/deco bottles by similar rigging (DiveRite or homemade)...hence the purpose for the vinyl sleeve/handle included with those kits. I don't dive SM so cant tell you if that type of setup will work for SM use.

"The Dive Rite Stage/Deco straps can also provide a carrying handle, and the extra large base loop of the clips provide an attachment point for stowing regulator second stages. The strap then runs through a piece of vinyl tubing that acts as a carrying handle."

http://www.divegearexpress.com/gas/straps.shtml

[MichaelAngelo]

again there not meant to be handles. I carry them and I also welded up a cart to roll the bigger tanks straight into the water.

[Squirrel Girl]

With the right harness, you can "wear" them both to the water together, but then you may as well be backmount :-D

Except, of course, when you're in low passage.

[Kelly Jessop]

The benefit of using carrabiners as an attachment point,then double as handleshttp://www.cavediver.net/forum/gallery/showimage.php?i=8891&catid=member&imageuser=74

[adam0321]

For the price of one rigging set you could sink that money into a hand cart from lowes.

m.lowes.com/mt/www.lowes.com/pd_44225-14282-HOL55HA22_0__?productId=3243124&Ntt=hand+cart&pl=1&currentURL=%2Fpl__0__s%3FNtt%3Dhand%2Bcart&facetInfo=

Sent from my Eris

[FW]

Except, of course, when you're in low passage.
I dunno, I have worn both tanks while belly crawling in some pretty low passage.

[Puttzer]

I used to always carry my deco bottles on my shoulder. Slipped once and injured my forearm/wrist. Only took 6 months to rehab my wrist.

Now it's a dolly and tank carrying straps. On the shoulder only if the tank is dry.

[scuba127]

I've got one of these on a 13 CF Pony tank and on a 40 CF Aluminum tank. I intend to buy 2 or them for sidemounting aluminum 80's. I carry the tanks by the handles and I've never expirienced them stretching and moving. I plan to use them on the 80's for carrying and mounting tanks to my sidemount rig because I learned in my sidemount class that I rather not walk to shore entries with the tanks attached if at all possible. The vast majority of my diving is shore diving in the carib.

[stairman]

I have a dolly but only use it at Peacock, Manatee and Jughole. Most of the others have too many steps to go down so its not really worth the trouble. I do carry one tank down, observe the site and jump in to cool off, then carry the 2nd tank down on the way to the water suited up. And I carry them on my shoulder but hope I never stumble. The Divrite handles do loosen up but can be tightened back in about 15 seconds so no biggie. Currently Only my stage and 02 have those stage straps. It would be safer with handles vs. shouldering and Ive thought of if the blood supply at the caratoid artery isnt compromised carrying tanks there. The old Mr Spock syndrome, but I havent fainted yet.

[Slüdge]

My stage rigging is DIY. You can actually use the handles for handles.

[RN]

Truck cart. A necessary part of any sidemount diver's kit.

What size cylinders do you use?

[diveconjeff]

SMing my 108's I'm generally happy to put wheels under them when reasonable....


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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=45.361331,-122.864211
- Jeff
Diveconjeff@yahoo.com

[diveconjeff]

The benefit of using carrabiners as an attachment point,then double as handleshttp://www.cavediver.net/forum/gallery/showimage.php?i=8891&catid=member&imageuser=74

I like that idea Kelly & may try it next week


---
I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=45.361291,-122.864251
- Jeff
Diveconjeff@yahoo.com

[Kelly Jessop]

I like that idea Kelly & may try it next week


---
I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=45.361291,-122.864251
- Jeff
Diveconjeff@yahoo.com

I use this as my attachment point on my harness since I don't use a butt plate,and the piece that holds the carrabiner in place with the hose clamps is something I designed and had manufactuered. Since you are thinking of using is for a handle,try a cam band with the carrabiner held in place with a weight retainer for a weight belt-the advantage of the cam band is it would be easy to take off.

[Bobby]

I have a couple of fold up hand carts for longer distances such as Jug or Manatee. Other places like Peacock I have just thrown them on my shoulder. Dr. X has smaller shoulders and it hurt her to carry the cylinders that way. I made up a padded double shoulder strap that the cylinders hook to in the back. This lets her carry one cylinder at a time to the water with the weight centered and spread between both shoulders. She seems to like this much better than carrying them on her shoulder.

Our stages have home made rigging and I don't like to carry them by the handles due to stretching. We use the same equipment or way of carrying those as we do our side mount cylinders.

Bobby

[diveconjeff]

Since you are thinking of using is for a handle,try a cam band with the carrabiner held in place with a weight retainer for a weight belt-the advantage of the cam band is it would be easy to take off.

Exactly what I had in mind!

FWIW I use cam bands because I dive a wetsuit sometimes and I trim differently than in my dry suit.


---
- Jeff
Diveconjeff@yahoo.com

[sontek]

For the price of one rigging set you could sink that money into a hand cart from lowes.

m.lowes.com/mt/www.lowes.com/pd_44225-14282-HOL55HA22_0__?productId=3243124&Ntt=hand+cart&pl=1&currentURL=%2Fpl__0__s%3FNtt%3Dhand%2Bcart&facetInfo=

Sent from my Eris

I'm not always diving a place where a cart can make it to the water, which is why the handles seem like a better idea. The handles can go anywhere

[sontek]

Truck cart. A necessary part of any sidemount diver's kit.

What size cylinders do you use?

I only own AL80's and LP95's

[DA Aquamaster]

I use a lower tech approach - I just sewed a loop of tubular webbing long enough to go over my wrist and around the tank valve. If you put a 180 degree twist in it, it lays flat against your wrist. It takes all the strain off your hands and fingers, works almost anywhere, does not change your configuration and both of them stow easily in a pocket during the dive.

[Puttzer]

I use a lower tech approach - I just sewed a loop of tubular webbing long enough to go over my wrist and around the tank valve. If you put a 180 degree twist in it, it lays flat against your wrist. It takes all the strain off your hands and fingers, works almost anywhere, does not change your configuration and both of them stow easily in a pocket during the dive.
Can we see a picture of that?

[Greenwood_60]

I use a lower tech approach - I just sewed a loop of tubular webbing long enough to go over my wrist and around the tank valve. If you put a 180 degree twist in it, it lays flat against your wrist. It takes all the strain off your hands and fingers, works almost anywhere, does not change your configuration and both of them stow easily in a pocket during the dive.

Awesome! We do something similar for power lifting stupid amounts. Works great. Same idea as these (http://www.amazon.com/Altus-Athletic-Padded-Lifting-Straps/dp/B001FB5UK8/ref=pd_rhf_shvl_2), but not open ended.

[FW]

I am not sure I see what the issue is here. A tank over the shoulder is by far the easiest way to get them to/from the water.

All sidemount tanks I have ever seen have some sort of band on them. Either a camband, or a steel band. There has to be something on it to connect it to your harness. Either hold it by that (like Kelly does with his carabiner), or add something bigger, if it is only a snap link, or D-ring, just long enough to get to the water. I sometimes use a carabiner in the D-rings on my tanks, to load/unload them into my van.

[Greenwood_60]

A tank over the shoulder is by far the easiest way to get them to/from the water.

I agree, but I have AC joint instability and impingement that make it anywhere from uncomfortable to very painful depending on the length of the walk.

[sskasser]

I much prefer the "this tank is SOOOO heavy...you look SOOOOO big and strong...do you think you could carry it up that itsy bitsy little hill to the truck for me?" LOL, it never works, of course, but can't blame a girl for trying!

[CaveMD]

I'm confused why you all would want to make handles when they have a perfectly serviceable handle built into the top of them...it's called the valve. Like forrest said, put them on your shoulder. This is a lot of work to solve a problem that doesn't really exist.

[Greenwood_60]

There are many reasons why this is or is not an issue. Try diving Buford in SM.

[MichaelAngelo]

I much prefer the "this tank is SOOOO heavy...you look SOOOOO big and strong...do you think you could carry it up that itsy bitsy little hill to the truck for me?" LOL, it never works, of course, but can't blame a girl for trying!

Shirl it doesn't work with women who pee standing up, don't deny it I've seen Ya.

[Puttzer]

I'm confused why you all would want to make handles when they have a perfectly serviceable handle built into the top of them...it's called the valve. Like forrest said, put them on your shoulder. This is a lot of work to solve a problem that doesn't really exist.

Remember when real men didn't use a cart.
Lot of bad knees, shoulders and hips out there.
And a few wimps like me. I'm always looking for an easier way to do things.

[sskasser]

Shirl it doesn't work with women who pee standing up, don't deny it I've seen Ya.

ROFL, I guess I'm busted!

[LakeCountyDiver]

I'm confused why you all would want to make handles when they have a perfectly serviceable handle built into the top of them...it's called the valve. Like forrest said, put them on your shoulder. This is a lot of work to solve a problem that doesn't really exist.

I really have to agree.

[Slüdge]

when they have a perfectly serviceable handle built into the top of them...it's called the valve.

I'm guessing you're tall?

It's a pain for someone 5'9" to carry AL80s over uneven terrain by the valves. I use my stage straps and carry two cylinders over short distances, or when I carry one a long way, use both hands, carrying it behind me and resting the cylinder on my upper butt.

[DA Aquamaster]

Awesome! We do something similar for power lifting stupid amounts. Works great. Same idea as these (http://www.amazon.com/Altus-Athletic-Padded-Lifting-Straps/dp/B001FB5UK8/ref=pd_rhf_shvl_2), but not open ended.Yes, same idea - just sewn in a continuous loop so it wraps around your wrist, then loops over the tank valve. It's thinner, but then the tanks are 50 pounds or less. It does take all the strain off the fingers and lets you do the work with the larger muscles of the arms and lets the tanks just hang off your arms - nice for longer walks in the woods with two tanks.

For me the issue is one of tendonitis in my arms and fingers that is aggravated by carrying tanks with the strain on the fingers. The loop eliminates that. The difference is that I have over the years developed some issues with tendonitis and pre-loop, my tendonitis would flare up and leave me with mildly sore, less flexible fingers for a month or so after a full week of cave diving.

Post loop, I get to keep functioning with normal fingers. It was not so much of a big deal in my day job doing program evaluation, but it did have an impact in terms of reg repair where manual dexterity and the ability to work all day with hands that don't hurt is an asset. So for me, it makes a HUGE difference over carrying it via fingers holding the tank valve. Your mileage may vary. I'm 45 but am already paying for beating up my body when I was young and dumb, so it's all part of the plan of working smarter rather than harder and generally easing the wear and tear so that I can keep cave diving another 25+ years into my 70's.

I do agree "over the shoulder" works, but that then requires two trips for your primary gas, plus trips for stage and deco bottles. If the walk is long, the mileage starts adding up, especially when it's god awful hot and humid.

When possible (walkways or flat ground) I'll strap everything to a two wheel cart, and it will accomodate primary tanks, a stage and a deco bottle in one trip.

[DA Aquamaster]

I'm guessing you're tall?

It's a pain for someone 5'9" to carry AL80s over uneven terrain by the valves. I use my stage straps and carry two cylinders over short distances, or when I carry one a long way, use both hands, carrying it behind me and resting the cylinder on my upper butt.The same wrist loop idea works carrying a tank sideways one at a time as well - you can clip the loop to the lower bolt snap and support the valve with the other hand - with the majority of the weight on the loop rather than the valve. As a fellow 5'9er, I have the same issue with AL 80s.

And over very rough ground it is much more stable than carrying it on your shoulder. If carrying over rocks, etc, where there may be risk of a fall, you can run your wrist through the loop so that your wrist will slide out if you slip/fall etc so that you can land the tank base first rather than on the valve.

[CaveMD]

I'm guessing you're tall?

It's a pain for someone 5'9" to carry AL80s over uneven terrain by the valves. I use my stage straps and carry two cylinders over short distances, or when I carry one a long way, use both hands, carrying it behind me and resting the cylinder on my upper butt.

you are actually taller than me, I'm 5'7. Al80's go on the shoulders because of length.

[DA Aquamaster]

you are actually taller than me, I'm 5'7. Al80's go on the shoulders because of length.That makes all the difference - at 5'7" you can just tip the AL80s over onto your shoulders. :D

[JerseyJersey]

there are these carry handle (http://www.amazon.com/diveX-Scuba-Tank-Carry-Handle/dp/B0030GZBTQ)

and there are these .carry strap (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000KBNODE/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B0030GZBTQ&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0CG4FW2YAPHB8KHVRNTW)

I have one of the latter. Not the easiest carry for short distances and you still have to have some hand strength to carry a large tank in each hand a long distance. I for one still do not pee standing up. All help is accepted :smt100, and BTW when diving with Larry, he did not carry my tanks ..... and he is taller than me :smt086

[sskasser]

..... and he is taller than me :smt086

Well, yeah, but isn't everyone? :smt081 ----------------------------->Shirley runs away fast before Cheryl beats her with an AL80!

[Greenwood_60]

That makes all the difference - at 5'7" you can just tip the AL80s over onto your shoulders. :D

Bwahahahahahahaha!

[CaveMD]

That makes all the difference - at 5'7" you can just tip the AL80s over onto your shoulders. :D

lol

[Puttzer]

there are these carry handle (http://www.amazon.com/diveX-Scuba-Tank-Carry-Handle/dp/B0030GZBTQ)

and there are these .carry strap (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000KBNODE/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B0030GZBTQ&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0CG4FW2YAPHB8KHVRNTW)

I have one of the latter. Not the easiest carry for short distances and you still have to have some hand strength to carry a large tank in each hand a long distance. I for one still do not pee standing up. All help is accepted :smt100, and BTW when diving with Larry, he did not carry my tanks ..... and he is taller than me :smt086

I have one of the latter but it has a shoulder strap too. Easier than carrying by hand.
I'll bring this weekend to show you.