Doubles recommendations for a small framed women?

[kathydee]

for a small framed women I would say probabley AL 80's, or 72's are a good go, because any lower such as double 60's you would just be better off with a single LP 121, and an "H", or "Y" valve....

My fundies instructor recommended LP85's or HP100's for volume (as was the consensus in this thread/forum). I went with HP100's and now am just dialing them in and had another question.

 

[keithdiver]

Those are good tanks kathy!! The 100's will give you a great amount of gas for you and the team. They should trim out well for you ..

 

[kathydee]

Those are good tanks kathy!! The 100's will give you a great amount of gas for you and the team. They should trim out well for you ..

Yeah, I love them. Except the problem I've mentioned in the earlier posts and just copied and pasted here.

Please keep this on topic I really could use the advice .

Thanks!

Hi,

Can anyone suggest a way to get more clearance for the back of my head in the doubles? I’ve been in the pool with local DIR divers and have already moved the tanks to the lowest holes in the plate, angled my MK25’s as far down as I can without kinking hoses, rolled the isolator back (I can still reach it) and loosened the shoulder straps, tightened the crotch strap (will try to loosen the shoulder straps more in the pool today).

The scope of vision is better but still not great. The 1st stages are still obstructing the forward gaze when I’m in trim. I’ve heard it’s a short person’s dilemma but the restriction is annoying and not so functional on ascent.

I’m wondering if different plates vary in bolt hole placements (which I doubt but it's worth asking) and perhaps one would allow the tanks to drop just a little farther down? I’m using a Small DSS B/P now.

Any advice is much appreciated.

Thanks!

Is your top tank band adjusted all the way up to the top of the tanks? I mean right to where the tank top starts its taper/rounding to the valve. Short of that drill a new top hole in back plate and adjust bottom band to fit back plate holes that are already drilled.

Warning before drilling check to see if wing holes are going to line up.

The bands are pretty much to the top of the tanks, standard GUE placement as per my Fundies instructors directions & they were assembled by his tech who works on most of the local DIR gear.

Will wait till Fundies class before the drill comes out .

Any other suggestions?

 

[keithdiver]

Kathy, did you call your fundies instructor and ask them??? Maybe the tech is overlooking something!!! Would a different plate make a difference too?

 

[kathydee]

Kathy, did you call your fundies instructor and ask them??? Maybe the tech is overlooking something!!!

I've emailed extensively with my UTD Essentials instructor and also exchanged emails with my GUE Fundies instructor (and have worked with several local DIR divers), all have offered helpful suggestions which I have already tried in pool sessions. My scope of vision is better - but still my head is obstructed. Which is a bit of a problem on ascents.

I will likely see my Fundies instructor or his assistant next weekend. But he's already seen the rig topside and stamped his approval. I'm 5'4" and it appears the head restriction problem is not uncommon for shorter divers.

At this point the only thing I know to try is loosening the straps even more. I'm off to the pool now to try that. I was hoping someone here would have another suggestion?

I'm wondering about using a different plate, but I do not know if plates/bolt positions vary slightly with brand/size? Not sure if this could make a difference in tank position?

I'll be around lots of DIR doubles this weekend & can compare tank band positions - good idea .

 

[mikemill]

Have you tried using a rack to make yourself taller? I'm sure you'd find some people willing to help you out with it

 

[Scott L]

Hi,

Can anyone suggest a way to get more clearance for the back of my head in the doubles? I’ve been in the pool with local DIR divers and have already moved the tanks to the lowest holes in the plate, angled my MK25’s as far down as I can without kinking hoses, rolled the isolator back (I can still reach it) and loosened the shoulder straps, tightened the crotch strap (will try to loosen the shoulder straps more in the pool today).

The scope of vision is better but still not great. The 1st stages are still obstructing the forward gaze when I’m in trim. I’ve heard it’s a short person’s dilemma but the restriction is annoying and not so functional on ascent.

I’m wondering if different plates vary in bolt hole placements (which I doubt but it's worth asking) and perhaps one would allow the tanks to drop just a little farther down? I’m using a Small DSS B/P now.

Any advice is much appreciated.

Thanks!

What portion of your rig are you coming in contact with?

 

[kathydee]

What portion of your rig are you coming in contact with?

I have MK25's and have angled them as far down as I can without kinking the hoses, yet still my head is still touching them. I may be able to get a little bit more head room by moving the back-up hose behind the wing inflator hose but not sure if this will help, or is this hose routing is acceptable.

Will try to let out another inch in the shoulder straps today in the pool and reposition weight if necessary but my shoulders are not very broad and thus the rig may become sloppy. I've seen other women my size cross the shoulder straps behind their back for stability but I know that strap routing isn't DIR and will check with my fundies instructor before trying it.

I should mention I've been having conversation about this topic with Lynne.

 

[ScubaInChicago]

Without pictures it's hard to tell how your rig is set up.....but, one solution which has helped me out tremendously with range of motion is to put the wing under the MK25's and route the hoses over the wing.....

 

[kathydee]

.....but, one solution which has helped me out tremendously with range of motion is to put the wing under the MK25's and route the hoses over the wing.....

Humm, I don't think that would work (without serious kinks or crumpling the wing) given that the regs & hoses are angled down as far as they can be pointed towards the tanks, but I'll take a look.

Here's the set up:

40lb "H" Evolve Wing
HP 100 Worthington tanks
Highland bands
Thermo manifold
Mk25 regs