One Cam Band or Two

[Marek K]

I figured the valve strap was there to keep the tank from slipping out in case the strap was loose.

That's exactly what I use it for, and I believe what its purpose is -- otherwise no reason for it to be a loop.

It would be very, very bad if, for whatever reason, the tank came out of the cam band and dragged your first stage hose down with it. Fortunately never happened to me (wetting the band, making sure the cam buckle was fastened correctly), but I've certainly seen it nearly happen to someone else -- which resulted in me being in mid-water fastening their cam buckle for them.

For where to position a tank, I know where it goes in relation to the top of my BC's backpack.

 

[Guy Alcala]

I prefer the two band system as I've seen tanks slip out with single bands. With single band you need to wet the band and tighten it really securely. There is also an Apollo clamp that claims to be more secure than the usual plastic cams.

With the double bands I don't bother wetting them and just keep them snug and the tank sits in solid.

The one draw back of the double bands is the occasional boat tank racks, where the lower band interferes with the rack.

Adam

Exactly my experience. With a single band, you have to pre-wet it to make sure it's really tight, or you're likely to have the tank slip out (happened to me twice). Since I started diving my BP/wing with two straps, I've never bothered wetting the straps, and never had any problems (other than the tank rack one Adam mentions). It's possible that this is due to my being more experienced and just do a better job of tightening the straps, but I don't think so.

Guy

 

[Hatul]

Exactly my experience. With a single band, you have to pre-wet it to make sure it's really tight, or you're likely to have the tank slip out (happened to me twice). Since I started diving my BP/wing with two straps, I've never bothered wetting the straps, and never had any problems (other than the tank rack one Adam mentions). It's possible that this is due to my being more experienced and just do a better job of tightening the straps, but I don't think so.

Guy

What may be happening with one tank band is the tank twists a bit and once this happens it stretches the band, allows more twisting of the tank and a vicious circle ends with the tank coming lose.

With two tank bands the lower band keeps the tank from twisting.

Adam

 

[Dr Wu]

I would never recommend any BC that only had a single strap.

 

[Bubbletrubble]

With a single band, you have to pre-wet it to make sure it's really tight, or you're likely to have the tank slip out (happened to me twice).

Before getting my BP/W rig, I did 100+ dives using a BC that had only one tank camband. I never pre-wet the strap, but I did ensure that the buckle was threaded properly and the camband was tightened sufficiently. The tank never came loose.

What may be happening with one tank band is the tank twists a bit and once this happens it stretches the band, allows more twisting of the tank and a vicious circle ends with the tank coming lose.

With two tank bands the lower band keeps the tank from twisting.

Yeah, the two-camband design probably does prevent the tank from twisting and loosening the strap(s).

I would never recommend any BC that only had a single strap.

I think that's a rather harsh stance. IMO, there are a lot of decent BCs on the market that only have a single strap. Many travel BCs (like the Zuma) have this design to minimize dry carry weight.

 

[scubafanatic]

I prefer the two band system as I've seen tanks slip out with single bands. With single band you need to wet the band and tighten it really securely. There is also an Apollo clamp that claims to be more secure than the usual plastic cams.

With the double bands I don't bother wetting them and just keep them snug and the tank sits in solid.

The one draw back of the double bands is the occasional boat tank racks, where the lower band interferes with the rack.

Adam

The Apollo clamps gripping power isn't just a 'claim'......I've been diving them for years now (and actually have 8 of them installed across 4 different BC's) and they have VASTLY more gripping power than any other product on the market...plus I've gone further and custom modified/enhanced mime such that I doubt Godzilla himself could exert enough force to loosen my tanks once I've locked 'em down!

 

[sytech]

My own opinion is that having a second cam band is a very prudent safety feature and when I buy a new BCD it must have 2 bands or I look for something else.

How much "quicker" (5 seconds?) and how much "lighter" (1 oz.?) could it be can it be and at what potential cost?

I was in the Turks & Caicos last November and a group of us were at about 70 ft.. I was about 20 ft. away from a woman and I noticed that her single band had loosened and she didn't realize what was going on. It was close to sliding off and taking the reg. with it out of her mouth.

Fortunately, the DM who was close by , I signalled for him and he and I came approached her and I held the tank while he secured the strap.

There are numerous good travel BCD's that have double straps. Cressi, Zeagle et. al..I would not ever get a single strap. BCD.

Sy

I am a rec diver exclusively and I have been diving my BPW which I setup with two cam bands not really putting much thought into it. I recently picked up a travel Zuma BCD for a trip and it has one band a strap that goes around the valve to cut the weight down. I really like the quicker setup, lighter weight and less fabric overall with the Zuma setup.

This is a very minor thing I know but just curious about others thoughts on the subject.

 

[tomboyy]

I would never recommend any BC that only had a single strap.

following the proper procedure, one cam band is more tham enough

 

[Tortuga68]

Two heads are better than one; I've never seen double cam bands come loose, but I've fixed lots of singles underwater when they've slipped

Having said that, if you apply them properly (wet/tight), one is enough

 

[Tortuga68]

The Apollo clamps gripping power isn't just a 'claim'......I've been diving them for years now (and actually have 8 of them installed across 4 different BC's) and they have VASTLY more gripping power than any other product on the market...plus I've gone further and custom modified/enhanced mime such that I doubt Godzilla himself could exert enough force to loosen my tanks once I've locked 'em down!

They're better than anything else and you modified them to work even better? Why?