Why do I dive a Twinset?

I first tried a twinset in my first year at Scuba Tech when I was a Divemaster Trainee. 

I did a discover twinset dive with my instructor, Peter Crane. I went on to complete my PADI Tec 40 and 45 in the last couple of years, both courses were conducted with a twinset. Since then I haven’t looked back!

A twinset is two scuba tanks manifolded together, with an isolator in the middle of the two valves.

The misconception with twinsets is that they are only reserved for technical diving and exploration. This is wrong; anybody can use a twinset with the right training, whether you are recreationally or technically minded in diving.

The two main reasons for using a twinset are...

One, redundancy – having that extra peace of mind and security underwater as you have two tanks instead of one.

Two, to extend your bottom time. Having two tanks is a great way of increasing your gas supply.

My twinset, without a doubt, is my favourite way to dive. 

I love the balance underwater and the stability of two tanks on your back instead of one. When weighted correctly, this is a very comfortable way of diving as well as a simple, streamlined set-up. 

However, they are very heavy, and do take some getting used to at first.

Furthermore, I want to be self sufficient underwater, I know I will never dive solo and that I will always have a buddy there to help me. However, if it ever comes down to a situation when my gas supply is compromised, I want to be able to have control and to be able to rectify the issue.

Diving a twinset can help me do this, as I can manipulate the valves and breathe off independent regulators.

This is what is known as a shut down – a way to close the valves in order to save your back gas in the event of an emergency.

If you do not know how to work the twinset properly and be able to perform these skills and drills, the twinset will only give you false security. It is so important to learn how to dive a twinset properly in order to receive the benefits!

Once you make the decision to dive a twinset, you know you are committed to diving as it is an expensive investment; you now need two of everything! 

I feel it is an excellent transition in my diving career as I grow as a diver as well as a professional. It may be expensive in the short term but it is worth it in the long run! 

A twinset brings comfort, control and flexibility in your diving whether you are in the shallows one day, or conducting a tech dive another. 

Can I Tech it?... Yes you can!

merseydivers.com

There has long been a stigma attached to the realms of Technical Diving that has seen images of big guys lugging around bulky twinsets and copious stages, to go really deep underwater, so that, unless you can benchpress a small car, there is no way you can cope with Technical Diving.

In this day and age, this is simply not true and Technical Diving is opening up to so many new demographics, as those who just want to add a new dimension to their diving abilities jump on board.

The Kit!

Now, although it is true that Technical Diving Kit is generally heavier than single tank, recreational Diving kit, the extent of this really depends on the Diver themselves.


Of course, we are looking at using 2 cylinders and 2 sets of regulators instead of just one. That's for the Open Circuit Technical Diving. If you are looking at Rebreathers, you have also the scrubber unit and electronics to add to the mix.

There are options to make it more manageable though. We use lightweight 200bar cylinders on our twinsets, for those who want a lighter option and you can always swap out the commonly seen steel back plate for an aluminium one to save a couple kilos. Alternatively, some may find a 10litre twinset more appealing or, if you aren't going too deep and the RMV allows, twin 7s.


Sidemount Configuration has enabled those who can't take the weight of the equipment on their backs, to move it to the side and take some of the strain off. The beauty of technical Diving with Sidemount is that you can carry the cylinders to the waters edge and clip them off in the water, so only really have the weight on you in a weightless environment.


Even rebreathers are now bringing out smaller versions such as the Pathfinder and the Hollis that are suited to recreational depths but who said technical diving was about depth... certainly not my point of view.

Since we are on the matter, you can most certainly 'tech' it if you have no interest in going deep. Technical kit is fantastic for allowing you extended time in the 25-40m range too. Using a mixed gas; either nitrox for extended bottom time or a trimix for a clear head and improved work of breathing with the additional safety measures that come into play from using the Technical Equipment, means technical diving techniques can also be applied to recreational dives very successfully.

Add to that, your stage cylinders that can be filled with a rich nitrox mix of 50%-100% Oxygen and you can "pad out" your safety stop, adding in extra conservatism or accelerate any decompression you may have incurred on the dives.

 

For more information about the technical Diving Courses available here in Cyprus, Check out the Scuba Tech Diving Website


So, regardless of what size or sex you might be, if you have a responsible attitude towards diving, are over 18 years of age and want to increase your  knowledge and experience in the water, while improving your Diving safety and ability to help yourself on dives... you can most definitely TECH IT!!!

Zenobia- the second cargo deck

Scuba Diva... That's me!!

How exciting, one minute I'm just a Scuba Diver and now, I am a Scuba Diva who has been asked to guest-blog about my favourite past time...Scuba Diving!!

So, my name is Shelley and I am a Diving Instructor. I first learned to Dive in Cyprus back in 2004. That's nearly 10 years ago, so I guess I am starting to get old because I don't know where the time has gone!

My first Dive was a PADI Discover Scuba Dive with Peter Crane, instructor and owner of Scuba Tech Diving Centre. I worked as a Thomson entertainer for the Gold holidays and he was doing pool shows in my hotel.

Needless to say, I was hooked from the first breath. I signed up straight away for the Open Water Course and by the time I left the Island 6 months later, I was a Rescue Diver with my sights set on Divemaster.

Since then, I have become a PADI instructor, a Trimix Diver, Sidemount Diver and have even had a try dive on a rebreather.

Teaching Diving in Cyprus I see many divers come and go in a year and one thing I have noticed is that girlies are often still quite reticent when it comes to Scuba. Lots of them only learn to dive when co-erced into it by their boyfriends/husbands because they need a buddy.

There still seems to be an attitude that...

DIVING IS NOT FOR GIRLS!!!

RUBBISH!!!

Girls can make exceptional Divers and with our teeny weeny lungs, we are often much better on air than our male counterparts (which makes them a little bit jealous!!).

We also tend to be a bit more cautious as Divers rather than steaming in and pushing the boundaries but there is nothing wrong with a bit of conservatism and I am speaking in general terms. This is by no means the rule, as there are plenty of women out there exploring this new frontier with the best of them.

What I will say, is that Diving is not for ladies.

By that, I mean that if you are a girl who always likes to look immaculate, with properly groomed hair, nice nails, full make-up and flattering dress, this sport probably isn't for you!!


If, by contrast, you don't mind wearing an unflattering rubber suit that shows off every bump and curve, having hair like a troll doll under water and looking like a rastafarian when you surface with dreadlocks that haven't seen a comb in months and (this is the biggy) you are ok with having copious amounts of snot that dries across your face that even your buddy doesn't tell you about, you have probably found your place in the world as a Scuba Diver.



The most important point to remember is that Scuba Diving is great fun and it shouldn't be something we miss out on because we are girls.

So come on, get out the rubber and be a Scuba Diva like me...

 

Diving the Zenobia in Cyprus with Scuba Tech Diving Centre and Nicky HIller