Optimum Cylinder size

divingtoors · January 16th, 2006, 08:26 AM

HI there

Being quite new at this, I want to avoid the purchasing of a lot of unnecessary gear that wont do the job, that includes cylinders.

In process of acquiring a set of double / twin cylinders, with isolating manifold, I want to make the best purchase possible.

What would the optimum cylinder size be for O/W diving, trimix and a bit of cave diving be. It is almost like asking the optimum shoe for dancing, running and a bit of work, but I believe there must be a common size?

All our cylinder must conform to the "CE provisions" which means the obvious make will propably be Faber.

Any help..?

Best regards

Roel · January 16th, 2006, 09:09 AM

I don't know if UK is different from 'the Continent' for bottles sizes,
but over here standard for wreck and cave diving is D12 (D10 is too short: less stable and harder to put on when you sit in your car :D ).

Once you get used to them you'll use them on OW also, any smaller bottle packages is less stable.

PS I still have my old D7 set at home which I use accosionally for fun diving in combination with long walks, but diving is different.

Other options is buying an additional Alu80 for OW dives which you later can use as a stage!

Have fun,

Roel

Anton · January 16th, 2006, 10:33 AM

I agree with Roel,

A D12 is a great set to start with.

Seeing your location: Do you dive a drysuit? Are steel bottles, nitrox and trimix easy to get in South Africa? It might be easier for you to get a hold of two alu 80's for making doubles.

While we're on the subject: how is DIR developed in South Africa anyway?

Anton

Divingniknaks · January 16th, 2006, 10:34 AM

Quote: (Originally Posted by divingtoors)

All our cylinder must conform to the "CE provisions" which means the obvious make will propably be Faber.

Hi,

12's I would say.

It doesn't have to be Fabers for the CE requirement. Eurocylinders are a better cylinder than Fabers, for length and balance characteristics IMHO. Also Heisers (unavailable at the moment tho) are a great cylinder.

Forgive my ignorance but where is Sodwana bay ?

Cheers

***Bob Cooper*** · January 16th, 2006, 11:06 AM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Divingniknaks)

Forgive my ignorance but where is Sodwana bay ?

South Africa

And yes, go with the 12's for now.

divingtoors · January 16th, 2006, 12:00 PM

[While we're on the subject: how is DIR developed in South Africa anyway?

Anton[/quote]

HI

DIR has got a small following in South Africa, but growing the whole time. The problem we have is the availability of instructors for DIR-F courses, and off course our "trading bead :D" plays havoc with our budgets. Very few courses have been run but we have some avid followers who are really trying hard to get more DIR-F courses off the ground.

divingtoors · January 16th, 2006, 12:05 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Divingniknaks)

Hi,

12's I would say.

Forgive my ignorance but where is Sodwana bay ?

Cheers

HI

Sodwana Bay is in the far north east of S.A. about 75km South from the Mozambique border. It is the furthest south that Coral is found in Africa, and a very popular training ground for new divers.

Great launches from unspoilt beaches with RIB's
water +/- 25 C, and Viz can be as good as 30m

I did my first O/W dives there, very beautifull and a truly magnificent area to visit for diving.

Cheers

Anton · January 16th, 2006, 01:03 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by divingtoors)

(..) very beautifull and a truly magnificent area to visit (..)

You forget to mention that this goes for (almost) all of South(ern) Africa

***Bob Cooper*** · January 16th, 2006, 01:39 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by divingtoors)

DIR has got a small following in South Africa, but growing the whole time. The problem we have is the availability of instructors for DIR-F courses, and off course our "trading bead :D" plays havoc with our budgets. Very few courses have been run but we have some avid followers who are really trying hard to get more DIR-F courses off the ground.

About 3 years ago, I spent Xmas and New Year diving Aliwal Shoal, based at Umkomass, KZN. Me and my buddy took our steel plates, single piece harness, halcyon wings, long hose, cannister lights etc.
Most of the divers had never seen gear like it and one of the dive guides wanted to buy all my gear from me there and then!

January 16th, 2006, 08:26 AM	#1 (permalink)
divingtoors(Offline) New Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Sodwana Bay Posts: 3	Optimum Cylinder size HI there Being quite new at this, I want to avoid the purchasing of a lot of unnecessary gear that wont do the job, that includes cylinders. In process of acquiring a set of double / twin cylinders, with isolating manifold, I want to make the best purchase possible. What would the optimum cylinder size be for O/W diving, trimix and a bit of cave diving be. It is almost like asking the optimum shoe for dancing, running and a bit of work, but I believe there must be a common size? All our cylinder must conform to the "CE provisions" which means the obvious make will propably be Faber. Any help..? Best regards Last edited by divingtoors; January 16th, 2006 at 08:28 AM.

January 16th, 2006, 09:09 AM	#2 (permalink)
Roel(Offline) New Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Netherlands Posts: 374	Optimum Cylinder size I don't know if UK is different from 'the Continent' for bottles sizes, but over here standard for wreck and cave diving is D12 (D10 is too short: less stable and harder to put on when you sit in your car :D ). Once you get used to them you'll use them on OW also, any smaller bottle packages is less stable. PS I still have my old D7 set at home which I use accosionally for fun diving in combination with long walks, but diving is different. Other options is buying an additional Alu80 for OW dives which you later can use as a stage! Have fun, Roel

January 16th, 2006, 10:34 AM	#4 (permalink)
Divingniknaks(Offline) Resident purveyor of shiney kit.... Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Midlands UK Posts: 1,038	Quote: (Originally Posted by divingtoors) All our cylinder must conform to the "CE provisions" which means the obvious make will propably be Faber. Hi, 12's I would say. It doesn't have to be Fabers for the CE requirement. Eurocylinders are a better cylinder than Fabers, for length and balance characteristics IMHO. Also Heisers (unavailable at the moment tho) are a great cylinder. Forgive my ignorance but where is Sodwana bay ? Cheers __________________ Phill ----------------------------- Salvo Lights, DirZone Gear , Frog Wings Dive ? http://www.divingniknaks.com

January 16th, 2006, 10:33 AM	#3 (permalink)
Anton(Offline) New Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands Posts: 4	I agree with Roel, A D12 is a great set to start with. Seeing your location: Do you dive a drysuit? Are steel bottles, nitrox and trimix easy to get in South Africa? It might be easier for you to get a hold of two alu 80's for making doubles. While we're on the subject: how is DIR developed in South Africa anyway? Anton

January 16th, 2006, 11:06 AM	#5 (permalink)
*Bob Cooper*(Offline) Moderator - "Don't stop me now!" Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: South East London, UK Posts: 680	Quote: (Originally Posted by Divingniknaks) Forgive my ignorance but where is Sodwana bay ? South Africa And yes, go with the 12's for now.

January 16th, 2006, 12:00 PM	#6 (permalink)
divingtoors(Offline) New Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Sodwana Bay Posts: 3	[While we're on the subject: how is DIR developed in South Africa anyway? Anton[/quote] HI DIR has got a small following in South Africa, but growing the whole time. The problem we have is the availability of instructors for DIR-F courses, and off course our "trading bead :D" plays havoc with our budgets. Very few courses have been run but we have some avid followers who are really trying hard to get more DIR-F courses off the ground.

January 16th, 2006, 12:05 PM	#7 (permalink)
divingtoors(Offline) New Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Sodwana Bay Posts: 3	Quote: (Originally Posted by Divingniknaks) Hi, 12's I would say. Forgive my ignorance but where is Sodwana bay ? Cheers HI Sodwana Bay is in the far north east of S.A. about 75km South from the Mozambique border. It is the furthest south that Coral is found in Africa, and a very popular training ground for new divers. Great launches from unspoilt beaches with RIB's water +/- 25 C, and Viz can be as good as 30m I did my first O/W dives there, very beautifull and a truly magnificent area to visit for diving. Cheers

January 16th, 2006, 01:03 PM	#8 (permalink)
Anton(Offline) New Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands Posts: 4	Quote: (Originally Posted by divingtoors) (..) very beautifull and a truly magnificent area to visit (..) You forget to mention that this goes for (almost) all of South(ern) Africa

January 16th, 2006, 01:39 PM	#9 (permalink)
*Bob Cooper*(Offline) Moderator - "Don't stop me now!" Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: South East London, UK Posts: 680	Quote: (Originally Posted by divingtoors) DIR has got a small following in South Africa, but growing the whole time. The problem we have is the availability of instructors for DIR-F courses, and off course our "trading bead :D" plays havoc with our budgets. Very few courses have been run but we have some avid followers who are really trying hard to get more DIR-F courses off the ground. About 3 years ago, I spent Xmas and New Year diving Aliwal Shoal, based at Umkomass, KZN. Me and my buddy took our steel plates, single piece harness, halcyon wings, long hose, cannister lights etc. Most of the divers had never seen gear like it and one of the dive guides wanted to buy all my gear from me there and then!