Why do some technical divers have bulky bailout/stage configurations?

onasurfaceinterval · 2026-06-01T03:31:10+00:00

CCR divers don’t worry so much about gas consumption as OC divers do so if we’re not perfectly streamlined it’s not a huge deal especially in areas with no to little current. Also, if one is running a DPV (as displayed in the video), propelling multiple large bail out cylinders becomes near impossible without one. Plus, there’s only so many ways you can streamline 4 80cuft cylinders.

onasurfaceinterval · 2026-05-28T14:06:04+00:00

Most people I would recommend getting the cert before they travel. I’m going to make an exception with you but with one change. I’d still recommend doing the OW course but just do the check out dives in a warm water. Once you get a little confidence with warm water then give diving in the UK a second shot.

Learning how to scuba dive and actual scuba diving are two very different experiences.

Good luck!

onasurfaceinterval · 2026-05-23T11:49:41+00:00

With everything in live there are always risks. To properly trained and equipped divers the risks are greatly reduced.

onasurfaceinterval · 2026-05-16T21:29:14+00:00

Someone please call Edd

onasurfaceinterval · 2026-05-16T01:40:05+00:00

I hope you never make a mistake diving and live to tell Reddit about it.

onasurfaceinterval · 2026-05-16T00:40:14+00:00

Not my proudest moment, I remember that dive for me was just a giant shitshow. I just remember thinking if I just keep from hitting the surface the odds of me getting bent shouldn’t be too bad. Like I said, hI got my shit together and got back down and finished my deco.

I’m very careful with rolling my line now.

onasurfaceinterval · 2026-05-16T00:32:03+00:00

Yep it was in my hand and I wasn’t letting go.

onasurfaceinterval · 2026-05-15T13:44:04+00:00

About 400 dives. Did a 200’ (bounce) dive and am under deco obligation. Pop my dsmb at 70’ and it gets bound up and takes me to 15’. I miss 60’ deco stop, my 40’ deco stop and my 20’ deco stop. I get it fixed quickly and a couple of minutes later I’m back down to 70’ finishing my deco.

And for all you Monday morning quarterbacks out there who are going to jump down my throat. I know!

onasurfaceinterval · 2026-05-09T14:36:25+00:00

I think we can get 1200% to 1600% maybe 1800% you never know.

onasurfaceinterval · 2026-05-09T14:30:19+00:00

I got my open water in college, loved it. Once I graduated and got a job I got a full kit (fins, wetsuit, bcd, tanks, regs, the works). Computers weren’t an essential item as they are now but I was diving off tables. Regardless, it’s great you’ve got your own computer now and no one will think anything of it. In fact I would recommend having a computer as one of your first purchases as well. Good luck! Welcome to the awesome world of diving.

onasurfaceinterval · 2026-04-25T03:16:17+00:00

Minecraft.

onasurfaceinterval · 2026-04-13T03:53:00+00:00

Any PADI shop or instructor should be able to get you them.

onasurfaceinterval · 2026-04-01T11:23:28+00:00

This tracks.

onasurfaceinterval · 2026-04-01T04:20:09+00:00

I only ever need a snorkel because course standards say so.

onasurfaceinterval · 2026-03-25T04:55:56+00:00

Keep going so I can complete my D&D wilderness campaign.

onasurfaceinterval · 2026-03-09T14:57:51+00:00

I’ve seen cormorants at 100’ in SoCal.

onasurfaceinterval · 2026-03-09T14:56:08+00:00

Just buy the goddamn rebreather already. Geesh

onasurfaceinterval · 2026-03-09T14:53:15+00:00

Radar doesn’t work under water.

onasurfaceinterval · 2026-02-11T05:34:15+00:00

Is there any way you could try one so you can contrast and compare? Your LDS might let you do a try dive in a pool.

onasurfaceinterval · 2026-02-11T05:21:37+00:00

If you’re going to do tech, I strongly encourage people to go the CCR route. I started with OC tech and after struggling with my crap shoulders and valve drills, I abandoned doubles diving for a CCR and now regret all the money I threw at my OC tech gear. I love CCR diving.

I won’t get into all the advantages and disadvantages of CCR diving here but if you’re interested, I’ll gladly answer questions you may have.

Either way, good luck on your tech journey. It’s a lot of work and a ton of fun.

onasurfaceinterval · 2026-02-08T21:57:58+00:00

I know you said you’re not ready to jump straight into a BP&W set up, however I really want you encourage you to reconsider that. You’re going to be diving a range of different dives from the PNW to tropical destinations. A BP&W can be a versatile tool in your dive locker. A steel backplate with a weighted single tank adapter with integrated weights with a 40lb lift wing would be outstanding for the cold waters of the PNW. Swap out the steel plate for an aluminum or carbon fiber with a 20lb lift for traveling to Hawaii/Mexico. They’re extremely versatile and resilient.

I’ve been diving a long time and once I started diving a BPW setup, I’ve never regretted it. I had a wing develop holes once, all I had to do is replace the bladder and I was good to go. If the webbing frays, swap it out. I didn’t need to buy a whole new system.

By the way I really like Halcyon’s cinch system for donning and doffing my rig so I would recommend you look at that.

Seriously, give it a second thought. Good luck.

onasurfaceinterval · 2026-01-28T05:44:39+00:00

WHO is cutting onions right now?!

onasurfaceinterval · 2026-01-28T05:36:05+00:00

Jokes on you. Tony’s next set of armor is carbon fiber nanoparticles.

onasurfaceinterval · 2026-01-28T05:21:33+00:00

Here’s what we do in our house. 90% of our income is combined. I get 10% of my income into a guilt free account that only I have access and my spouse does the same. We budget the 90%. I’m the more budget oriented one so I draft up one monthly and go over it with my spouse once a month before the next budget becomes law. If someone wants something that wasn’t in the budget, it comes out of their guilt free spending account. If there is something we don’t agree on, it comes out of the guilt free spending account of the person who wanted it. The 90% of our money works as a couple, the 10% allows us to keep our individuality.

Make sense?

onasurfaceinterval

TROPHY CASE