Nitrox - Trimix

[matt t.]

You've got to be kidding....

It is indeed necessary to use a gas than the Trimix for inflation, but are you saying that we should be using air on deep dives because the 6cuft Argon bottle most of us use causes too much drag to be worth it?

I don't ever consider my Argon rig a "concern" unless it's empty and I want to dive.

Even if I'm using the 13cuft Argon bottle I'll take the extra drag and a clear head any day of the week.
[/quote]

Matt.  You read way too much into that short post.  The extra drag is not ridiculous, but does exist for the tank mounted AL-14.  My point was that people should realize they most likely will need the extra equipement when they go trimix. It is just part of the price of entry up in the northern states.

And as far as the "need" for separate inflation gas, even that is not always the case. I know FLA divers, both cave and ocean, that have used backgas (trimix) for suit inflation.  If the water temps are warm enough and the dives short enough it can be done.  It just seems wrong though...

-Michael

[/quote]
Agreed, (though Chris had the mean reply to your post ;D). There are always a few different ways to do things, but we all know that some ways are better than others depending on conditions. So far I haven't done a deco dive where I left my  bottles at the line. I don't feel comfortable with it even on a wreck I've been on before (cuts down on options if something happens during the dive) cave is obviously different. I will be dragging my 2 bottles around with me for a while. You are right in that every tri-mix dive doesn't "require" 2 bottles, but I like to have the extra bailout option in coldwater (freeflows). I did use my 14 cu ft argon rig for the first time last weekend and didn't really even notice it. As far as getting charged for the 6cu ft air fills...... Some shops are more generous than others. I haven't been offered a free fill. Here, if you connect the whip to a tank valve it's $6.50. Doubles are $13.