Why does the tank valve go up?

[FFPEREZ]

HELLO SB

Brief introduction...I am a career firefighter of 10 years, married, one kid, and getting ready to take my OW class. I have picked out my LDS and worked out the schedule for my class. I have done the PADI explore scuba?? on a couple trips and had a good time so the DW and I are going to get certified.

I have been lurking here for a few weeks and reading mass quantities of posts, trying to learn as much as I can before the class starts.

So here is my question: Why does the tank valve go up? In my world the tank valve goes down. I've done a couple of searches and haven't been able to find the answer. I know it probably a simple reason but just one of those curiosity things.

I can't remember the history exactly but I'm pretty sure our SCBAs came from SCUBA set ups. Wondered why the difference between the two.

Thank you

 

[Rhone Man]

Actually in Europe, people often wear tanks "upside down" (OK, maybe not often, but you do see it). But elsewhere in the world it is rare to see the valve pointing down (although I do remember seeing a picture of this in Gary Gentile's Technical Diving Handbook).

I think the main reason is that people usually sit down to don a tank, and so it helps to have the tank resting on a surface to do this.

Valves down is certainly a lot more sensible in tec diving, making it easier to shut off freeflowing regulators.

 

[theduckguru]

You guys also put on what looks like rain coats and run into fires. LOL.

 

[mania]

You guys also put on what looks like rain coats and run into fires. LOL.

In rebreathers tank valves are down - and your tanks are more of a rebreather types, if I understand well. But in open circuit up - because I think it's safer. And when I look at the old photos - it's always was up.

 

[drdaddy]

My main tank valve is up, but my 19cf pony is mounted upside down on the main, but the valve of the pony does not extend low enough to be below the main tank.

Scuba divers sit in boats (and on docks), sand, and rocks (jetties). If the main tank valve was down, the valve and attached regulator and hoses would be damaged.

 

[miketsp]

HELLO SB

Brief introduction...I am a career firefighter of 10 years, married, one kid, and getting ready to take my OW class. I have picked out my LDS and worked out the schedule for my class. I have done the PADI explore scuba?? on a couple trips and had a good time so the DW and I are going to get certified.

I have been lurking here for a few weeks and reading mass quantities of posts, trying to learn as much as I can before the class starts.

So here is my question: Why does the tank valve go up? In my world the tank valve goes down. I've done a couple of searches and haven't been able to find the answer. I know it probably a simple reason but just one of those curiosity things.

I can't remember the history exactly but I'm pretty sure our SCBAs came from SCUBA set ups. Wondered why the difference between the two.

Thank you

Basically safety and convenience. Try swapping your gear from one tank to another during SI on a boat heaving up and down in rough seas with a regulator at the bottom of the tank.
Even with a regulator protector, things would get hairy.
It might be feasible in calm water, but would still involve more work.

 

[Walter]

It's an historical accident. With double hose, there's not much of a choice. The hose isn't that long, the valve has to go up. In the 1950s, some valves were down (See some of the diving in 1955's Revenge of the Creature)

From a practical stand point, it's much easier to switch from one tank to another with the valve up. It's easier to rig tank holders with the valve up.

How do firefighters rig tank holders with the valve down?

 

[FFPEREZ]

You guys also put on what looks like rain coats and run into fires. LOL.

ROFL never said I was saine.....your right a really heavy over priced rain coat

 

[adm3745]

The hose routing is better with the valve on the top too. For divers who use H valves or doubes for redunancy, it would be easier to identify the failing valve and shut it down if they are on top. Plus if you sit down you don't want to sit on your valve and regulator.

 

[FFPEREZ]

In rebreathers tank valves are down - and your tanks are more of a rebreather types, if I understand well. But in open circuit up - because I think it's safer. And when I look at the old photos - it's always was up.

I might need a little clarification here....our tanks are a hoop wound composite(we hate heavy things on our backs :cool2...So rebreather tanks are made of lighter materials unlike the aluminum/ steel standard tanks?

Haven't done much reading on rebreathers.....yet. Figured I should get the basics down first lol.