Introduction Which Attachments? Which Buoyancy Compensator? Which Computer/ Dive Timer? Which Compass? Which Contents Gauge? Which Dive Bag? Which Fins? Which Knife? Which Mask? Which Reel? Which Regulator? Which Snorkel? Which Surface Marker Buoy? Which Suit and Options? Which Tanks? Overview - Which Single Cylinders? - Which Pony Cylinders? - Which Twin Sets? - Which Deco/ Stage Tank? - Which Argon System? Which Torch? - Which Back-up Torch? - Which Main Torch? Which Watch? Which Weight System?	Marking Template for EAN50 Marking Template for O2 Modifying AP Valve SMB's Modifying Other Style SMB's What Do I Need to Make My Own B'C'?	Introduction Modified Valve Drill Valve Drill Modified S-Drill S-Drill Switching to Deco Bottle

 

Tanks are one of those things which you can buy second hand with a reduced risk, although it is worth making sure that the cylinder has either been recently tested or that the owner will give you your money back if it fails. If you are a regular, some dive shops will remove the pillar valve and take a quick look for you if you suspect that there is a problem. This is a good cheap way to check a prospective purchase. Cylinders have to be tested every two years (visual or hydraulic), so allow for this cost if the cylinder isn't new. Cylinders are stamped with the date of manufacture and subsequent passed test dates.

There are a number of alternative ways of setting up your tank(s) for diving; these fall into the following categories:

"Single" cylinder set-up

The diver uses a single 10, 12 or 15 litre tank. This has the merit of keeping it simple, but does not offer any form of redundancy (back up) in case of the loss of your gas supply. This set-up is unsuitable for decompression diving.

Single cylinder plus "Pony" cylinder set-up

This is where a second smaller 3 litre cylinder is carried as an emergency gas supply in case of a problem with your main cylinder. This offers an element of redundancy but the volume of gas contained is very limited. It is not recommended that you undertake decompression diving with this set-up.

"Twin" cylinder set-up

More commonly called twin-sets, this is where two tanks are worn on the back. This offers complete redundancy and when combined with an Isolation manifold, will give you access to the contents of both tanks in case of a failure to one side.

"Decompression" cylinders

These are only used for the more advanced aspects of diving with multiple gas mixes and are used in combination with a twin tank set-up.

This topic has been split into the above sections. Each subsequent section will to some degree draw on information given earlier.

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