[Kev]

Hello everybody

I have a question or two sparked by a remark from a skipper that DIR harness systems are a danger because they are made from a single piece of webbing.

The skipper in point does not like the approach of no clips in the harness as they would have to cut the webbing in the event of a rescue of an unconcious diver wearing the harness. Thus wasting time, that could be used calling for help, getting the victim out of the water etc. This got me thinking (a rare event you might say)...

Question 1: Is the DIR rationale for the single piece of webbing simply that it is a bad thing to become detached from your tanks that are negative when you as a diver are positive? (I think this is right).

I have seen people dive harness systems similar to the Halcyon type set up but with a single clip in one side. The tanks do not seem to move relative to the diver when the clip is undone. So perhaps having a single clip would be acceptable from this perspective (I appreciate its not in the DIR system to have any clips).

However, I am not sure that undoing a single clip in a harness would be much if any help in rescuing an unconcious diver wearing the harness. Getting the unconcious diver out of the harness is still going to be much quicker with a knife I would think, even with one clip undone.

So lets put two clips in the harness then. Now if you undo them as you dive you will lose your tanks for sure (OK you may lose them at least). Tanks go down, you go up. Not good. Presumably not worth the risk even though it would help in having two clips in the harness for a rescue scenario.

Question 2: Is the skippers concern a real problem? It would not take me long to cut a piece of webbing or two but probably a bit longer than it would take me in undoing a clip or two. That said, any time wasted in a rescue scenario is obviously extremely precious time.

I would be interested in any thoughts and comments.