Looking for an intro tank

[DA Aquamaster]

Personally, I was never comfortable going to thirds on a single tank at intro. The intent of the 1/3rds in a single, 1/6ths in doubles approach is to limit penetration distance to limit the time and distance needed to exit in the event of a problem. But 1/3rd of a single tank is just not a lot of gas and in addition a single tank with H valve is not fully redundant.

I think diving doubles to 1/6ths is much more prudent at the intro level.

Side mount offers a lot of advantages in terms of both comfort and utility, although there is a but more involved in getting the configuration dialed in. But if you can access an instructor who will teach you in that configuration it will shorten the learning curve and get you to a point of diving a fully redundant system that is very comfortable in the water and will work be much easier to manage physically than back mounted doubles.

And looking at it from the "throwing money away" perspective, you can get a nomad for around $400 - about the price of a new steel tank and a lot cheaper than the two steel tanks you'd probably want to own anyway.

In the big picture, side mount makes more sense than a single back mounted tank if your intent is to not proceed beyond intro.

[RN]

Personally, I was never comfortable going to thirds on a single tank at intro. The intent of the 1/3rds in a single, 1/6ths in doubles approach is to limit penetration distance to limit the time and distance needed to exit in the event of a problem. But 1/3rd of a single tank is just not a lot of gas and in addition a single tank with H valve is not fully redundant.

I agree completely. I've only had one intro student in a single cylinder and only because her fiance was moving on to full cave (and already has) and she only wanted it to dive the Mexican cenotes. I doubt she'll do much diving in Florida caves and even if she does we discussed in class how 1/3s is not conservative enough, in doubles and especially in a single cylinder. Under most circumstances, I turn away anyone wanting to do intro in a single cylinder.

[kwinter]

Under most circumstances, I turn away anyone wanting to do intro in a single cylinder.

My experience was very different way back when. You were not permitted to do intro in doubles unless you already had a lot of experience with doubles in open water and your instructor signed off on it. It was up to the instructor to allow you to use doubles, but I got the impression it was frowned upon.

[ScubaSteveL]

I say buy a set of manifolded doubles, say LP 85's, to take your class with. When that's done, split them, put plugs in the valves where the manifold attaches, and use them for sidemount.

[Jax]

I say buy a set of manifolded doubles, say LP 85's, to take your class with. When that's done, split them, put plugs in the valves where the manifold attaches, and use them for sidemount.

For whatever reason, Pink Tank does not wish to go backmount. Why would you even say this?

Pink Tank -- what Rob said! The single cylinder just doesn't carry enough gas. Perhaps you could put off your cave class, and take a sidemount class. Then choose an instructor that trains you in the way of diving best for YOU.

I wish the agencies would figure out that more and more people are choosing not to carry the weight of Back Mount, and stop this stupid restriction. Some people dive sidemount for their health.

[ScubaSteveL]

For whatever reason, Pink Tank does not wish to go backmount. Why would you even say this?

Pink Tank -- what Rob said! The single cylinder just doesn't carry enough gas. Perhaps you could put off your cave class, and take a sidemount class. Then choose an instructor that trains you in the way of diving best for YOU.

I wish the agencies would figure out that more and more people are choosing not to carry the weight of Back Mount, and stop this stupid restriction. Some people dive sidemount for their health.

If the NACD instructor she chooses won't let her dive sidemount, just get through the course in backmount and dive sidemount later. Why spent money on a larger tank you're only going to use once??? Spend a little more, and now you have your two tanks for sidemount already in your possession. I do like your idea of taking a sidemount class then the cave class. I was just throwing out quick a suggestion.

[CaveMD]

I have no back or health problems and I would still never dive backmount again.

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[graepaep]

If I was closer I would just let you borrow one of my tanks.

[DA Aquamaster]

If I was closer I would just let you borrow one of my tanks.

That's not a bad idea.

I have a pair of 95's with modular valves we don't use that I'd loan with the option to buy later if she chooses. All she'd need to get is the "H" portion)(s) to add to the modular valve(s). We're probably headed fro N FL in April and I could leave them there.

[CaveMD]

I'm at the dive outpost in Luraville. I've got a pair of lp95's for sale with left and right valves.