LP85 or AL80 for deco

[Amphiprion]

Hello all.

I currently dive with OMS LP98 doubles, 7 lb backplate and dive wet. Other than the backplate I have no need for weights.

I have an AL40 for deco. I am considering a second deco bottle of larger capacity and am not sure whether to go with the AL80 or a LP85. I may start diving dry this winter.

Thoughts?

[dannobee]

AL80.

Steel deco bottles are generally used where they can be stashed, like the entrance of a cave, where their negative buoyancy isn't a problem.

They're too negative to swim around with.

[sardiverdan]

If you are looking into 80's for deco stick with AL. Do you use the 40 often and if so how much gas do you use on a typical deco dive. An 80 for deco is a large amount of gas unless you are playing down in the 200-300 foot range.

[rongoodman]

Hymark makes an Al72 that's a little slimmer than an Al80, but holds only 5 ft3 less gas. They ride nicely as stage bottles.

[knowone]

Aluminium.

[rjack321]

I would get a 2nd Al40. Or possibly an Al80. steel deco bottles are like boat anchors (I have a 72 setup as an emergency O2 stage - its heavy heavy)

[Superlyte27]

Haha, I actually tried this recently. I was diving a long deep dive and decided I wanted extra gas. I strapped up a LP85 for my 80' stop. I jumped in the hole and started inflating my b/c. I'm rocketing to the bottom at blazing speeds while my hand is blasting as much air in my wing as I could get. Deeper, deeper, blasting past my dive buddy, he looks at me like I'm either doing something really friggin cool or i'm a complete moron, he can't decide which. My descent to the bottom was a quick one to say the least. I literally bounce off the bottom as my wing finally starts to catch up. I made the entire dive a bit lopsided too.

Moral of the story... Use Aluminum.