Tips on slinging a tank please

[AfterDark]

I had one of the most unpleasant dives of my life today and definitely the most unpleasant of 2010. Why? I slung a tank for the 1st time. A AL19. It was everything I thought it would be, cumbersome, restricting, and generally in the way.

I use IDs often so I don't use a octopus as my second reg is my octo. I had the idea that instead of putting my octo back on when I dive a single tank I'd sling my 19 and use that as my octo in the event my partner was OOA. In forty years of diving my SP MK V has never failed me and this year was the 1st year I used an octo so the octo is for my dive partner not for me. So I rigged my 19 with a couple of clips and my second MK V and clipped it to a D ring on my weight belt and one on my BC at chest level. The tank was valve down with the hoses velco strapped to the tank in 2 places. I left the SPG and the LP on the reg. That may have been a mistake but it was the tank that seemed to be getting in the way. Taking my octo on and off definitely seems easier than having a tank bouncing around while I'm trying to dive. I can't ever see me toting around anything bigger and can't understand why this seems so common of a practice. I'm thinking that it must be me doing something wrong or not doing something right, so I'm looking for tips on how to make this less of a PITA. If that's possible.

 

[tflaris]

Found this link:

http://www.scuba.com/video/180/Pony-Bottle-Mounting-Options-Instructional-Video.html

Hope this helps.


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[noreastDIVER84]

I sling an AL40 at times and I keep it mounted high and pulled in tight. I have never found it to be cumbersome or in the way, but it is just another thing that is there. I notice it going to the water and maybe the first 5 minutes of the dive, and then I am focusing on everything around me and I forget the bottle is there.

 

[AfterDark]

Found this link:

Scuba.com Video: Pony Bottle Mounting Options Instructional Video - TEK Gear

Hope this helps.


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I have mounted it on my tank and that was definitely better. The slinging idea was to be able to hand it off to a OOA diver rather than the diver being tethered to me.

I'm getting old and not as strong as I once was, I don't relish being in a position where I may have to wrestle some young buck in trouble. Also I think I could be more help if I had more freedom of movement such as being able to move around to the back of the diver for example. Thanks for the info.

 

[gcbryan]

Most people slinging tanks are using a BP with a hip D ring and shoulder D rings. The tank is usually mounted/carried valve up. As was mentioned, in that configuration if everything is kept tight it kind of fits in close to the body and under your left arm somewhat.

I forget about it once I'm under the water as well. I suspect the issues you are having are just related to it being different (takes a bit of time to get used to it) and perhaps due to the way you are mounting/carrying it.

 

[UCFKnightDiver]

Slinging a 40, it is like it's not even there, make sure you have your hip dring as close to the back of your bc as possible. I use a bp/w have you thought of switching to one?

 

[rongoodman]

I use an Al 72 as a stage from time to time and it just floats under my arm out of the way. I suspect that part of your problem was mounting the tank valve down. A picture of how your tank is hanging in the water would be helpful too.

 

[AfterDark]

Most people slinging tanks are using a BP with a hip D ring and shoulder D rings. The tank is usually mounted/carried valve up. As was mentioned, in that configuration if everything is kept tight it kind of fits in close to the body and under your left arm somewhat.

I forget about it once I'm under the water as well. I suspect the issues you are having are just related to it being different (takes a bit of time to get used to it) and perhaps due to the way you are mounting/carrying it.

First a new dry suit then the BP/wing. $$$$$ Brother can you spare a dime?

 

[TSandM]

I could imagine the tank being annoying if mounted valve down. Then you have the broad butt of the tank up near your D-ring, where your inflator is. If you mount valve up, you have the slender shoulder and neck of the tank there, and it's not crowded or uncomfortable.

When I sling a 40, the only thing that I notice at all is that there is a little more inertia to kicking forward (and the tank swings a little back and forth) and it's more of a pain to check my SPG. A 19 is so small, though, I wouldn't imagine the latter would be much of an issue.

 

[rjack321]

The concept of handing off a little al19 to an OOA diver and they will go away and ascend independently is wishful thinking.

I'm surprised you were troubled by a 19. I had one once (tank mounted). The hose routing is really annoying back there honestly. And you can't see if its leaking etc. But the tank itself wasn't noticable.

Rather than go to all the hassles of a seperate tank (which you are realizing). I would consider using a longer primary hose and reserving more gas in your main tank for a buddy.