Backplate and harness questions...

[Noel Johnson]

Hi all,

Those of you who were shore diving on Saturday will no doubt have seen the plated wing that I've built up. Now I have a couple of Q's as I've only used it about 10 times.

1. Is it supposed to feel as if it's trying to pull you over backward whilst out of the water? In the water its fine. The ususal config is 15+pony and a shot weight lead harness (7Kg)

2. Are crotch and chest straps really that important? it seems fine without them done up.

3. On my old BC the shoulder straps kept their shape making it easy to don and remove with the help of a buddy. The shoulder straps on the harness are a little floppy and seem to go everywhere except over my shoulders whilst donning it. Is there any way I can stiffen them up?

4. How do you tether the low pressure inflator to the harness? There is no velcro strap (as per conventional BCD) and it falls behind my left shoulder whilst kitting up.

5. What the hell are you supposed to clip on to the ring at the back of the harness by my arse?

I'm sorry if these are daft questions but I've just moved from a techy BCD to a wing after 100+ dives with it as I want to do my IANTD advanced nitrox next year and get a twin set for greater redundancy (which will be better for the adv course) and I'm feeling a little disenchanted with the system. Although I'm sure it'll get better the more I use it.

Cheers all and dive safe,

Noel.

[Gavin Yates]

<font color='#000F22'>Noel,

1. Side sling the pony and you'll find it easier to deal with

2. The crotch strap is the most important strap - it concentrates the weight on your hips rather than the shoulder and stops the rig moving.

3. Use stiffer webbing - Beaver make good stuff.

4. Stick a small loop of bungy into the left chest D-ring as per Halcyon rig.

5. The arse ring is handy for spare spool and bag or I actually hang one of Fi's old ankle weights on mine to sort out trim when using twin 12s.

Persist with the wing - it's more stable - make weight easier to carry and will assist you trim. Honest.

[Dominic]

1. No, not really - try leaning forwards a bit more The harness can take a bit of playing around with, it sounds like you might have over-long shoulder straps.

2. Crotch strap is usually vital on a wing, as it'll ride up to your armpits without them. The shoulder strap is useless - it's a carry-over from people who think a rucksac is a good example of a well-designed harness. IMHO, anyway

3. As Gavin says, stiffer webbing is what you need. Mine is wonderfully rigid, but my dive shop doesn't sell it any more, and I've never found another supplier - I'll have to give Beaver a go...

4. I use the plastic c-shaped clip supplied by AP Valves, slid onto the webbing. Most people use bungee tho.

5. If you haven't got anything you want to clip onto it, take it off. I still find it hard to believe there are people who clip things onto their crotch straps

[daz]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (Dominic @ July 11 2003,20:29)]3. As Gavin says, stiffer webbing is what you need. Mine is wonderfully rigid, but my dive shop doesn't sell it any more, and I've never found another supplier - I'll have to give Beaver a go...

4. I use the plastic c-shaped clip supplied by AP Valves, slid onto the webbing. Most people use bungee tho.

<font color='#000080'>3. &nbsp;Stiff webbing - try Runnymede.
4. &nbsp;I use bungee with a bit of &nbsp;clear tubing across the front (It stops the bungee catching on the corrugated hose if I use it as a pull dump)

Daz

[Dr Stevil]

The &quot;Arse rings&quot; can be utilised with one of These
I find the ring on the crotch strap is ideal for clipping my spg to, got rid of the chest strap fairly soon after geting the rig. My inflator is tethered by some silicone tubing (from my local model shop), I prefer it to bungee for some applications as in an emergency you could easily snap it if required, whereas you'd have to cut the bungee with knife/shears
Chee-az
Steve

[Noel Johnson]

Cheers all, Most useful. That's given me somethings to work on.

Thanks again,

Noel

[Lawrence Debono]

1 &gt; You might need to shorten the shoulder straps. If it's fine in the water be careful what you alter.

2 &gt; Without a crotch strap it will ride up because there is nothing to hold it down and it will slide up.

3 &gt; It isn't a big deal to have the straps more flexible than a BC strap. Are you using neoprene over the straps so they wouldn't cut through your suit? Some people do.

4 &gt; if your inflator hose disappears behind you need a loop of bungee and pass it through like what the others said.

5 &gt; The D rings for behind your arse can be used for a lift bag pouch. That's what I have on mine.

Regarding the chest strap, some find it helpful others don't mind it. I had seen people strapping an extra mask or a compass. I have nothing on mine.

Take care

Lawrence

[Tibbs]

When it comes to backplate/webbing tightness, with just the bare plate on your back, you should be able to touch the top of your plate with your fingers with your exposure suit on, and be able to pull the webbing off your shoulder when you bend forward 90 degrees at the waist. If you can 'chicken wing' your way out of the harness (put your hand back through the harness to take it off) then it is too loose.

HTH,

Chris