cgrady(Offline)

Been thinkng about arrying multiple stages in cave as I am concerned about the profile the 3rd stage presents on exit.

On the way instages are full and so do not present a problem but on the way out would it not be better to clip one of used stages to the crotchstrap D ring via the lower bolt-snap, with the one we are using on top of that (rigged the same). This leaves the other empty stage to be nose clipped to the D ring rather than on a leash and reduces the diver's profile which would be potentially less damaging to the cave.

Best

Chris

Joe Hesketh(Offline)

There was some good discussion on this (incl. comment from George, who apparently clips to the crotch strap itself rather than the crotch d-ring) on the Gavin list last October. Search their archives for emails headed "3 stages and cave conservation".

HTH
Joe

Meng_Tze(Offline)

Stages in caves.... drop them. You are coming back the way you came. If you need multiple stages, maybe do set up dives or have support divers.

For instance: 3 stages needed....

Suck down first to preset limit, drop, second same, third same... continue on backgas. On the way back pick up stages.

Or drop in different sequence (full stage for return) and come back later to pick up slack.

I personally would not carry 3 stages in a cave, maybe if on scooter. Bear in mind.....you have to come back the way you came, if for some reason you have an issue and need to fin back quickc with such an amount of drag, and you are carrying ALL your gas.... you can not drop anything (no time/too much effort), have to get back... run out of gas.

Better to have 'crumbs' on the way back you can 'exchange'. Keeps your profile to minimum drag and you can just drop.

There are different schools of thought, the only right one is to make sure you have enough gas to make it back.....

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Homo Bonae Voluntatis

slimer(Offline)

You just have to be aware of them as you are using them. I see so many that as they are done with it and it is now very bouayant, they clip it to the rear crotch strap, the waist Dring, or the scotter tow strap and do not think about them and how they are in the water in realtion to them bouncing the ceiling and damaging the cave.

Part of the skill of using stages is awarness and being able to move them with the relation of the shape of the passage and the room you have in the cave to move. So many forget and just let them float upard and do not care about them anymore until they get out.

slimer

Bob Cooper(Offline)

I don't really understand the problem here. If the stage is full (of nitrox) it will be negative and will muller the cave floor if you are close to the bottom. If the stage is empty and nose clipped, or on a leash it will muller the cave ceiling if you are close to the ceiling.

You need to decide the best way to carry the stages given the specific cave and the likely damage due to carrying them.

Or have I misunderstood the question.....?

WaterDawg(Offline)

I think thats the question.

Mozi(Offline)

Your best bet on this is the post directing you to the Gavin discussion. It was initiated by "Beto" (Alberto Nova).

Good luck.

Mozi