Stage Bottle: Thirds or something else?

[Sabado]

What are some thoughts/rationale on diving a stage bottle to thirds or half plus 200 psi?

I know this could open up a lot of discussion based on the scenario...so I'm basically looking at a scenario like this:

- 2 or 3 person team
- No flow
- No scooters
- same volume gas per team member
- 1 or 2 Al 80 stage(s)

I was taught to dive my stage the same as backgas...rule of thirds, but know others dive the "half plus 200 psi" with the stages.

I can't come up with a CREDIBLE (not more than 1 failure) scenario where the stages should be dived using the rule of 3rds. I understand margin, and if that is the reason, so be it. But i'd be interested to read some of your views on diving stages whilst swimming (no scooters)...recognizing that if there was flow, diving solo, scootering (with or without backup scooters), etc. the rule may justify some tweaking (i.e. 5ths or even 6ths).

Thanks in advance.

[JamesK]

I dive my stages like I was taught. Rule of thirds. Personal preference.

[MORGAN]

Me too. Running stages to thirds (or less than thirds if the situation requires it) is conservative and simple. Simple is important to me.

It's a habit I have from work - when possible, set things up so that under stress, everything is as simple, straightforward, and self-evident as possible.

I'm not averse to doing a lot of figuring when planning a dive, but I don't like to have to do a lot of figuring during the dive.

[the dude]

i dive stages to thirds. i'm a bit more conservative if the dive warrants it, like having to pass through tight restrictions, poor vis and such. i also agree with morgan; "simple is important to me" as well.

[gschaut]

I'm not a stage diver (yet), so you should probably ignore this post.

I've always liked the expression that your breathing rate goes up from the increased drag caused by a load of bricks in your shorts.

But seriously for what ever it's worth. I have experienced several "above water" stress events, only a few seconds long, that have left my breathing rate uncontrollably increased for up to 30 minutes. When I experience an "oops" event (let alone an O-#$% event) I would like to have the extra gas of thirds, all the way out.

[phillip1]

Thirds then I switch to my side gas and I swim the stage in about ten minutes or so before I drop it, I dive to thirds on my side gas (thirds starting from were I switched to the stage) then on the way out when I get to my stage I breathe it all the way out.

Thirds is IMO is not conservative enough all it means is that you will have exactly the same amount of gas to share on the way out as you used on the way in, IMO not enough, so I always dive to a bit less than thirds on all my tanks.

[Webmaster]

Thirds, and I always try to be a little on the conservative side when calculating that. Doesn't always work out that way....

[JamesK]

Thirds then I switch to my side gas and I swim the stage in about ten minutes or so before I drop it

I do that as well. I don't drop the stage where I hit thirds. I swim it in further before I drop it just in case of an emergency where I wished my stage bottle was closer to me.

[flyguy199]

Thirds at a bare minimum or more conservative.

[LiteHedded]

half plus 200. I like my reserve gas to be with me at all times