mmm. I've probably read this a bit wrong but DIR/GUE say you must NEVER have a metal to metal connection. Then they say you must clip your stage to your D-ring, this to your D-ring, that to your D-ring etc.
So. Am i to make my D-rings out of a non metal substance or the dog clips from a non metal substance? What gives???

How am i going to attach my metal first stage to my metal cylinder valve? How the hell is my torch going to work? How do i attach my inflator hose to the metal male fitment?

My understanding of the 'no metal to metal' philosophy, is for anything that you may need to remove if things goes a bit pete-tong during a dive, then you should be able to cut it off. It's possible to get metal rings with clips that join directly for stage/deco bottles; not a good move. So yes, you can have a metal dogclip connecting to your metal d-ring, but there should also be a bit of rope between the clip and the stage which can be cut if the clips jam closed (say after a collision with a rock, or a shark bites it, or a small alien comes down and welds it shut,,, you get the drift...)

Its more about things you may need to ditch. If you need to ditch your stage and the snap bolt (dog clip) has seized then you can cut the line that holds the dog clip to the stage. leaving the clip stuck to the metal D ding. If your dog clip was connected to your stage by a stainless hose clamp you wouldnt be able to cut it free. Same applies to torches. Your clip should be tied onto your torch with line so if you need your torch but the clip siezes you can cut the torch free.
Some people may be happy using double ended snap bolts thinking that it would be very unlikely that both ends failed shut at the same time. Though I doubt this is DIR

I knew there was something i was missing. They may be great divers but they are terrible writers.
Not permantly attaching stuff is sensible-after all those pesky Aliens with their oxy acetylene are a pain sometimes

...cable zip ties - way better than line & just as easy to cut.

Stainless clips, zip ties & bungee cord; never leave home without 'em!

The above is a SS clip where the thumb slider has broken off.
Now Im not exactly sure how it happened. The clip is 2 +- years old and there is a little rust showing in the groves and around the spring (the spring is fine). All my other clips I got at the same time are fine.

Anyway had this been on my rig and had I needed to unclip it in a hurry I'd be ship out of luck.

Scary biscuits!!!

(BTW - I've been "re-educated" about zip ties. Cave line is the go!!! ...)

and it only took 1 cup of kool aid!

I still dig the cable tie...

Jeez, whats wrong with cable ties???

give 'em a twist and they break real easy, as was demonstrated to me on my own gear during the gue course, where liam snapped about 5 of mine off in a few seconds. Cave line is stronger, more flexible, and easer to cut if needed. It does make your gear look a little messy though.

I think it could be wise to use both.

EG cable ties for things like reg clip and SPG clip. IF the tie fails you will not lose the SPG or reg but if you need to break the connection just give it a good twist.
As for conections for back up torches and the like use caveline.

I use cable ties all day every day and I find they are supper reliable.

Here's a link showing cave line tie. http://www.wreckandcave.co.uk/2006/11/1 ... -boltsnap/

Pah! Cave line=money and specialist supplier. Cable ties = little money and available everywhere. I always use 2 or 3 cable ties anyway. And how are you gonna cut cave line if, for instance, you've previously used your knife and dropped it???

I'm perfectly happy with cable ties and as my diving is rather limited and none too demanding i have no real need to use cave line to tie everything on with. And if we are going down the stronger route-why not use monofilament line? Stronger for a given diameter and cheaper????

Horses for courses etc.

I've got a pile of line you could have for nowt (or pick some builders line from the warehouse for a couple of bucks - it works just as well). It's not expensive, probably cheaper than zip ties. But then cost isn't the issue.
I've lost gear due to cables ties snapping when they shouldn't have. Can't say it was the worst loss I've ever suffered, and it certainly didn't put my life in danger, but it did mean I couldn't catch any more crays! (had 3 zip ties on that one). Which is a good thing if you're a cray I suppose. But then I'm happy to be crap at catching crays, so they probably weren't in much danger anyway...

Back to the point - if you're using zip ties and lose something because they break, you may wish to consider something that's just as simple, but stronger

I dont think mono line will hold a knot as well in these aplications.