So diving using twin tanks is all about deep technical diving? No, that simply is not the case, it’s only one aspect of twin tank diving. The versatility of twin tanks is enormous. For those diving within recreational limits the benefits are huge. For example:
- Safety
- Redundancy within the equipment configuration
- Self reliance with equipment failures
- Gas benefits
- Improved positioning in the water
At any depth of diving, from shallow to deep, twin tanking diving is safer due to the inherent setup of the equipment. For example, just like single tank diving, the configuration has two regulators, a primary and an alternate, a low pressure inflator and a pressure gauge. Initially the ‘twin tanks’ are configured as essentially one tank, but at any point if a regulator, a pressure gauge or low pressure inflator fails, this piece of equipment can be easily switched off, but unlike a single tank setup which would switch off all the air, hence the diver would be out of air, with twin tanks all the gas is still available for the remaining equipment that is still functioning. Hence the diver has self reliance with failures without needing buddy assistance, which is of course always available too. More options are available to the diver in an emergency, with minimal training, hence a safer dive.
Further there are gas benefits from a twin tank system. A diver using twin tanks typically has more gas. Simple as that. A twin tank system doesn’t have to be big and heavy. It could be twin 8 litre tanks compared to a single 12 litre system giving an extra 4 litres of capacity. Filled to 200 bar this gives an extra 800 litres of breathing gas. Another benefit occurs on a two tank recreational dive from a boat. A single tank diver typically takes two 12 litre tanks where as a twin tank diver will take also two twelve litre tanks but linked together in the twin tank configuration. i.e. both divers take two tanks. However on surfacing from the first dive the single tank diver will replace his tank with the new one, leaving the remaining gas (say 50 bar) in the old tank on the boat during the second dive. However the twin tank diver, on the surface interval doesn’t have to do anything, and takes the remaining gas from the first dive along on the second dive, meaning more gas (in this example 600 litres extra). More gas means safer diving and perhaps a longer bottom time. i.e. More diving for your dollar!
Finally although a single tank system can be configured with a wing system for buoyancy control most people use a BCD. With a twin tank system a backplate and wing is used. This is new to most people but almost all who use a backplate and wing buoyancy device for the first time never return to a BCD. The backplate and wing configuration is more comfortable, i.e. no air squeezing the torso, and holds the diver in a natural horizontal position, the ideal position for diving.
So what are you waiting for, contact us and try the benefits of twin tank diving for yourself!
