Although I'm starting to sidemount more and more, I still dive back mount about 1/2 the time. I actually prefer sidemount, but that's a different thread. The reasons listed so far are 1) complexity of gas switching, 2)addition of ?failure points.
On the subject of gas switching, if you do it every day, it's like brushing your teeth and not swallowing toothpaste. It is more complicated at first, but with repetition, becomes second nature. The failure points I can concede.
The advantage of independents are not numerous, there is only one. One failure can not possibly exhaust your entire gas supply. All the people who I know that dive independents with 2 exceptions dive them for that reason.
Plain and simple, independents give the diver the ability to self rescue without ever(almost never)needing to breathe their buddies gas, which lends itself to solo diving as well. I see the DIR people sneering, but that what friendly debate is all about.
Some more reasons why independents are so bad would be helpful, as I sincerely want to know what you guys dislike so much about independents.
Rick, out of curiosity, what situation prompts diving double (al) 80's?