Stage/Deco Bottle Positioning

[aerobrain]

Hi

I'm quite new to the whole stage/deco bottle configuration and just wanted to pick people's brains on ideas for best ways to carry one. I currently clip mine on my hip d-ring which makes it easy to get to but I get the feeling it hangs a bit to low away from my body.

I was going to play with the placement of the jubilee clip to move the bottom bolt snap to see how much difference that makes but I'm thinking I might have to go to a cylinder mounted d-ring. Only problem with that is ease of clipping/unclipping.

I want to add an image of how it currently sits but can't see how to do it. I can only see a button for adding via a URL?!

Any tips/pics etc would be gratefully received!!

Cheers

Lee

[Suggsy]

Hi Lee, for uploading images it's probably best you use and external host such as Photobucket, Flickr or even Facebook then copy and paste the URL into the insert image option.

With regards to your stage, what type is it as this will have an effect on how it hangs.

[Hot Totty]

As well as what's in it :)

[Paulo]

As well as what's in it :)

Does the amount of 02 really make that much difference? Would ali 80 with 200 bar of 50% really act tha much differently to an ali 80 with 200 bar of o2?

I have never noticed any difference but then my stages are different sizes

[Graham Smith]

You need to host a photo on Photobucket or similar and then insert the URL....

As to the stage position, if your hip and chest D-rings are in the right place, and the stage bottle rigged properly (correct lengths etc) you will find it sits where it should do without any thought on your part.

How to rig a bottle here - DIR-diver.com - Stagebottle rigging (http://dir-diver.com/en/equipment/stagebottle_rigging.html)

Your Hip D ring should be bang on the centre of your left hip (or.....if....I.....can....bring....myself....to.. ...say.....it......the other one) ;)

Stand up in your harness/ Back plate. Hold your arm out straight to the side, parallel with the ground. Now bring your arm right in, thumb first until your thumb touches your chest. Where it lands is the spot for the D ring. This is a good guide as to where to position the D rings, and if the stage is rigged in a "Standard" way, it should also hang nicely without any further bother.

If your bottle still feels to lose, you can slip the boltsnap through the handle above the Jubilee clip to shorten it, while still allowing a longer length when diving two bottles.

G

[Garf]

Does the amount of 02 really make that much difference? Would ali 80 with 200 bar of 50% really act tha much differently to an ali 80 with 200 bar of o2?

I have never noticed any difference but then my stages are different sizes

You're assuming only two gases, which is not the case for breather divers carrying bailout or deeper open circuit dives.

If you have a cylinder with trimix in it that makes a massive difference in how it hangs.

[Paulo]

No, but if you have a cylinder with trimix in it that makes a massive difference in how it hangs.

That was what I was thinking.

Do many people still use Tx in their deco gases?

[Graham Smith]

You're assuming only two gases, which is not the case for breather divers carrying bailout or deeper open circuit dives.

If you have a cylinder with trimix in it that makes a massive difference in how it hangs.

Thought you were packing?

have a good trip mate,

G

[Hot Totty]

Does the amount of 02 really make that much difference? Would ali 80 with 200 bar of 50% really act tha much differently to an ali 80 with 200 bar of o2?

I have never noticed any difference but then my stages are different sizes
I notice :) but then perhaps I'm more 'sensitive' ;)

[aerobrain]

It's a 7ltr Ali, likely to just have nitrox in so no Tx considerations (yet!)!!

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152381843830333&set=t.725850332&type=3&src=http%3A%2F%2Fsphotos-a.ak.fbcdn.net%2Fhphotos-ak-snc6%2F603347_10152381843830333_1067597343_n.jpg&size=720%2C960

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152381843685333&set=a.10152381843290333.947408.725850332&type=3&src=http%3A%2F%2Fsphotos-e.ak.fbcdn.net%2Fhphotos-ak-ash4%2F397675_10152381843685333_1342854405_n.jpg&size=720%2C960

Hopefully the above links work and help?!

[aerobrain]

Looks like they didn't :-/ I'll try again later

[timmyg]

How to rig a bottle here - DIR-diver.com - Stagebottle rigging (http://dir-diver.com/en/equipment/stagebottle_rigging.html)


If your bottle still feels to lose, you can slip the boltsnap through the handle above the Jubilee clip to shorten it, while still allowing a longer length when diving two bottles.

Here's a rough & ready guide which I wrote up; fairly similar & also shows the p-clip looped through the handle.

HOW TO: SET UP A STAGE CYLINDER - PART 1: RIGGING KIT (http://www.rectotec.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/how-to-set-up-stage-cylinder-part-1.html)

HOW TO: SET UP A STAGE CYLINDER - PART 2: CYLINDER MARKINGS (http://www.rectotec.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/how-to-set-up-stage-cylinder-part-2.html)

HOW TO: SET UP A STAGE CYLINDER - PART 3: REGULATORS (http://www.rectotec.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/how-to-set-up-stage-cylinder-part-3.html)

HTH

TG

[Bomber]

This may be a bit controversial but......

You could always sort out a bungee to support the neck of the cylinder and pull it into your body A La sidemount mode!!

[Janos]

It's a day in a quarry job - and winter's the perfect time to do it. We're all different shapes and sizes, so you need to have a bit of a play to get it perfect. That said, an inch or two here or there doesn't make much difference.

Janos

[matt]

It's a 7ltr Ali, likely to just have nitrox in so no Tx considerations (yet!)!!

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152381843830333&set=t.725850332&type=3&src=http%3A%2F%2Fsphotos-a.ak.fbcdn.net%2Fhphotos-ak-snc6%2F603347_10152381843830333_1067597343_n.jpg&size=720%2C960

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152381843685333&set=a.10152381843290333.947408.725850332&type=3&src=http%3A%2F%2Fsphotos-e.ak.fbcdn.net%2Fhphotos-ak-ash4%2F397675_10152381843685333_1342854405_n.jpg&size=720%2C960

Hopefully the above links work and help?!


https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/603347_10152381843830333_1067597343_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/397675_10152381843685333_1342854405_n.jpg

[matt]

I like this video which may be helpful:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=SiuOhUOs7HI

[Paulo]

How do you deploy your long hose if it is trapped behind your stage?

[SoggyBottoms]

I can't figure out why you'd hang a bottle on the RHS

[timmyg]

How do you deploy your long hose if it is trapped behind your stage?

I was thinking the same, however it's not trapped, it goes underneath the bottom stage clip so it's still deployable but IMO a pain in the ass as it's a lot more than a light canister to unhook. @ Matt have you thought about switching your stage to the other side? I know you've other stuff clipped off on your left shoulder d-ring but a set of pockets may help.

Not a criticism; if it works for you but it's a suggestion.

TG

[Hot Totty]

Beaten to it , long hose deploy is going to be pita :)

[aerobrain]

TBH the long hose deployment was a concern, bottle ended up RHS because of the length of hose and right hand feed second stage. But I've got a longer hose now so thinking about going back onto LHS.

I think its just going to be a fiddling job until it feels right. Just wanted to try and get some ideas/critique :-)

[matt]

Sorry - that's not me. I've no interest in OC, lol.

Those pictures are aerobrain - just helping him out with the pictures as per the quote!

Personally I'd carry one on the left and one on the right rigged similar to the video. I also think these are worth a look (this is not me either - it is Tino!):

Armadillo Sidemount Butt Plate:

http://www.therebreathersite.nl/13_Inspiration/images/Armadillo/Armadillo03.jpg

http://www.therebreathersite.nl/13_Inspiration/images/Armadillo/Armadillo04.jpg

Matt.

[aerobrain]

Is that clipped on a butt plate or something? Will watch the video!

Cheers for sorting the pics!

[Janos]

I wouldn't hogloop and dive a stage like that. Sorry.

Janos

[aerobrain]

Sorry, first pic didn't show at first, can see the butt plate now!

[timmyg]

I wouldn't hogloop and dive a stage like that. Sorry.

Janos

+1. I have & it's not pretty.

TG

[aerobrain]

As mentioned I recently moved the stage and was thinking about the long hose, but plan is to move the stage back so not really an issue.

[Paulo]

If i may be so bold, up until recently I used to also used bungee to keep my reg hose neat, mine was a bit heavier than yours and even at that didnt do the job well enough.
I got a used inner tube from local tyre monkey and added 2 strips to each stage for keeping hose routing neat. Can I suggest that you do something similar?

Thanks for posting pics by the way. I made similar mistakes in the not too distant past and the great things about communities like this is that people can offer loads of advice. Uou then get the privelage of picking and choosing which advice if any you listen to

[aerobrain]

If i may be so bold, up until recently I used to also used bungee to keep my reg hose neat, mine was a bit heavier than yours and even at that didnt do the job well enough.
I got a used inner tube from local tyre monkey and added 2 strips to each stage for keeping hose routing neat. Can I suggest that you do something similar?

Thanks for posting pics by the way. I made similar mistakes in the not too distant past and the great things about communities like this is that people can offer loads of advice. Uou then get the privelage of picking and choosing which advice if any you listen to

TBH the whole rigging/bungee etc is just what came with it. Planning on changing all that anyway as the bolt snaps are to small for thick gloves and like you say the bungees don't work brilliantly. Only benefit is easy to restow with the banger to pull the chord away. Do you have any kind of loops on the inner tubes or is it easy enough to grab them with gloves on?

[timmyg]

Take a look at my links earlier. You don't need loops on the inner tube. The loops go over the handle leaving a natural gap for your finger to go through to stow the hose.

Easy


TG

Sent from my iPhone using Timmytalk (hopefully)

[aerobrain]

Cool, yeah sorry not got on the links yet but plan to take a goosey later. Cheers :-)

[Baz]

Take a look at my links earlier. You don't need loops on the inner tube. The loops go over the handle leaving a natural gap for your finger to go through to stow the hose.

Easy


TG

Sent from my iPhone using Timmytalk (hopefully)

Personally I prefer heavy duty bungee with a bobble as it is much easier to stow the stage reg back in with thick gloves. Just personal preference I suppose.

[steve6690]

I did my oc trimix course with Jack Ingle. He suggested putting big d rings on my twinset and clipping stages there instead of onto the waist belt. It works quite well..


Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

[timmyg]

Personally I prefer heavy duty bungee with a bobble as it is much easier to stow the stage reg back in with thick gloves. Just personal preference I suppose.

I used to do that. No more.


TG

Sent from my iPhone using Timmytalk (hopefully)

[Baz]

Thats because you have gone all GUE, I'm just reading your fundamentals blog.

[ziggi]

I did my oc trimix course with Jack Ingle. He suggested putting big d rings on my twinset and clipping stages there instead of onto the waist belt. It works quite well..


Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2
I found that quite balanced with a steel 7 L (and easy to reach clips) but it seemed to get in the way of the kidney dump if I wanted to use that option.
Went back to hip ring

[timmyg]

Thats because you have gone all GUE, I'm just reading your fundamentals blog.

I did that way before GUE. I've done courses with Jack & think he's a great guy. Also dived with him since. I just prefer the method I use now


TG

Sent from my iPhone using Timmytalk (hopefully)

[aerobrain]

Yeah I did jack's course and he suggested the tank ring which was where I got the idea. I just doing think I can comfortably reach there when I'm fully kitted.

I've just rearranged my hip rings to try back on the left next dive. Also moved the rings back a touch and realised my chest rings were no longer quite right so re-placed them. I'll also try it with the bottom clip looped round to shorten it. Looked in the mirror and tried to see how it hangs and I think some of it was just my impression rather than reality. So hopefully the tweaks will make it just right!

Diving at gildenbog Friday night so a good chance to check it out!

[Major Clanger]

Lee, there's nothing wrong with that stage or the positioning of the rigging, unless you altered it. Clipping to the D's as you were makes sense than buggering around with D's elsewhere. Not sure why it's on the right. You can rotate cylinder thru 180 degrees if the hose routing is a problem. It's slightly more negative than some ali's with different buoyancy characteristics and so the butt hangs lower with deco mixes, must be the yellow paint. If you want to sell I'll take it back.

[aerobrain]

Lee, there's nothing wrong with that stage or the positioning of it. It's slightly negative and so hangs lower, must be the yellow paint. If you want to sell I'll take it back.

Nooo not selling it :-) love the actual stage, just thinking about the size of the rings on the clips, you've obviously never noticed my gargantuan thumbs :-)

As mentioned I think some of the problem was just my perception of where it sits. Looking in the mirror I reckon its pretty much right now with the tweaks.

[Major Clanger]

Nooo not selling it :-) love the actual stage, just thinking about the size of the rings on the clips, you've obviously never noticed my gargantuan thumbs :-)

As mentioned I think some of the problem was just my perception of where it sits. Looking in the mirror I reckon its pretty much right now with the tweaks.

When I get my dry suit sorted I'll take a dunk with you and see if can be tweaked.

[aerobrain]

Tweaks seem to have sort red it, tighter to the body now and back on the left!!! Tested hose routing whilst breathing and that was all good as well!

[ootini]

Mounting the stage to the lhs waist ring, doesn't this obscure the spg? As thats the ring I clip mine too, or do you move the spg ?

[Graham Smith]

Mounting the stage to the lhs waist ring, doesn't this obscure the spg? As thats the ring I clip mine too, or do you move the spg ?

Nope, Don't move the SPG and clip everything off on the same D-Ring, there is plenty of room.

I attach my stage clips below the SPG and it is very easy to find as you just follow the hose to the (SPG) clip. Even with two bottles there is plenty of room....

G

[timmyg]

The spg is clipped above the stage clip. Additionally when you want you view it you unclip & bring it up to eye level aposed to you looking down to see it (& breaking trim).


TG

Sent from my iPhone using Timmytalk (hopefully)

[timmyg]

Nope, Don't move the SPG and clip everything off on the same D-Ring, there is plenty of room.

I attach my stage clips below the SPG and it is very easy to find as you just follow the hose to the (SPG) clip. Even with two bottles there is plenty of room....

G

Beaten by about half a second


TG

Sent from my iPhone using Timmytalk (hopefully)

[Regthing]

When diving with a stage I move my spg to the chest d ring as it is a lot less hassle, especially with dry gloves on.

[timmyg]

When diving with a stage I move my spg to the chest d ring as it is a lot less hassle, especially with dry gloves on.

Unfortunately, when diving with a lot if stages this puts your spg in a similar position to your stages which 'could' cause confusion.

Additionally why don't you use that configuration normally; why chop & change?


TG

Sent from my iPhone using Timmytalk (hopefully)

[Capt Morgan]

I connect my SPG to my suit inflate hose with some wrap
so the SPG is always easy to find and read.

[Regthing]

Unfortunately, when diving with a lot if stages this puts your spg in a similar position to your stages which 'could' cause confusion.

Additionally why don't you use that configuration normally; why chop & change?


TG

Fair comment but currently only diving with one at the moment so never had any issue with confusion between the two. The stage spg is also tried back onto the neck of the stage so it is quite clear which is which. But I'll bear that in mind when I end up with multiple stages.

I used to dive it clipped to the chest all the time but without a stage I found it more liable to catch on things so moved it to the 'DIR' position on the waist

[Johnr]

I used to dive with the SPG clipped on left shoulder d ring, then did GUE F and changed to left hip.
It's one of those things I still debate in my mind as to what is better.
On shoulder I never need to clip it off which can be a pain with dry gloves, so I've added a slower more stressful step into checking my gas.
I don't think reading the wrong SPG is very likely with multiple stages but I've never used more than 1 stage so don't know.

[Regthing]

I've actually got my p clip tried on with a small length of bungee too. It let's me pull it out enough to read it without the faff of clipping. More so with dry gloves. But maybe if I wasn't so lazy I might actually get good at it....

I do look at it more often when it's on my chest too which can't be a bad thing. Although a big whoosh or not opening my isolator aside it's very rarely far from where I expect it to be these days. Twins made me complacent.