Argon...

[Atlaua]

Another question for the dry suit divers:

I'll be ordering a drysuit very soon and am considering Argon. I have a spare reg (I know I'll need to add an OPV) and my shop does fills so it's really only the cost of buying a tank for me.

I'm curious as to how many dives people have been able to get off of various sized tanks. I'll need to be able to travel and do all my dives off of one fill.

James

[steve2281]

Not really answering your question but, I don't use it 1) the expense of the setup, 2) with my thick underwear, I don't get cold. Long as I'm not cold, I dont see any use.

Of course, anyone breathing tri-mix doesn't have any choice, they HAVE to use the Argon. my 2$/100 steve

[DeepDiverBob]

James,

Check with Mike Heffington. He just bought his Argon set up right before he did his ice diving class.

[Atlaua]

1) the expense of the setup

I'm looking at < $100 for the setup or I would not be considering it. Fills are going to run about $3-$4, so if I can get 5-6 dives off of a tank I'll take it :D...

James

[DeepDiverBob]

I thought Mike said Argon fills were about 20 bucks a pop.

[Atlaua]

I thought Mike said Argon fills were about 20 bucks a pop.

Well, the $3-$4 is what Chris said in class, if it's $20 then forget it...

[M&P+4]

Another question for the dry suit divers:

James

What are the benifits to argon over any other gas?

[Atlaua]

What are the benifits to argon over any other gas?

1. It doesn't transfer heat as readily as air so you stay warmer longer.
2. (minor point) It saves backgas for breating.

Disadvantages:

1. Expense
2. Extra equipment
3. (Silly but often mentioned) Risk of hypoxia if it is mistakenly breathed
4. Unknow affect on decompression

James

[DeepDiverBob]

I would go with what chris says then. If anyone would know, it would be him.

Argon is a better insulator. Keeps you warmer, and also saves your breathing gas instead of you using it on your suit.

[theskull]

You should probably be able to dive it for a whole weekend. Depends on how much gas you like to hold in your suit and even how many times you ascend/descend during each dive.

The added comfort is noticeable but not appreciable when not breathing a helium mix. Additional concerns or costs is how and where you are going to mount it. Also, if single-tank diving the affect on your balance depending on where you mount it.

Other than trimix diving, I only bother hooking up mine for dives with long bottom times when the air is colder than the water, and only when diving doubles. It is not expensive. The going rate is about 45 cents per cubic foot.

theskull

[ldkearney]

i use a 7mm neoprene dry suit and have never been cold even in 32 degree water. my lips go numb but argon wouldnt help that anyway. your head is where you heat loss is most. my dry hood fills with air causing cone head but it keeps my scull warm. my friends with shell suits get chilled even with maximum insulation. shell suits look cool but you cant beat the warmth of neoprene.

[theskull]

i use a 7mm neoprene dry suit and have never been cold even in 32 degree water. my lips go numb but argon wouldnt help that anyway. your head is where you heat loss is most. my dry hood fills with air causing cone head but it keeps my scull warm. my friends with shell suits get chilled even with maximum insulation. shell suits look cool but you cant beat the warmth of neoprene.

This is a bogus post. Dude, you must spell "skull" correctly. "Scull" is a swimming stroke you use when you don't want to go anywhere.

Otherwise, no argument with your story.

theskull

[DeepDiverBob]

if anyone would know, it would be "theskull"