My Crotch....

[Woz]

Originally Posted by String

I've tried without a crotch strap and found it near unusable. The entire setup just will not stay stable and on the surface borderline dangerous with the wing floating above my head losing buoyancy.
With the strap though its very comfortable.

What you need is a Big Tummy which holds the waist strap down. If, however, you are built like Dobbo then you may indeed need a crotch strap. The answer? Eat more pies. Then again skinny Bottle Monkey doesn't use a crotch strap either and gets on perfectly fine. Frankly if you were a better fcuking diver...

[Mal Bridgeman]

Originally Posted by Woz

What you need is a Big Tummy which holds the waist strap down.

A crotch strap is probably cheaper than a Big Tummy unless you already have one

The link I posted earlier shows the waist band parallel to the ground (which is how I choose to have mine) so it's quite high up (think Simon Cowell here), meaning a crotch strap is essential.

Frankly Woz, if you weren't such a fa........

HTH
Mal

[Woz]

Originally Posted by Mal Bridgeman

Frankly Woz, if you weren't such a fa........

....bulous shag...

[wilbo]

I find the crotch strap stabilises the kit too - and I have a gut. Its also useful for hanging the camera off the scooter ring when not needed or putting the wreck reel on the butt D ring.

keep it. Woz is just weird..

[Kirstie]

Originally Posted by wilbo

I find the crotch strap stabilises the kit too - and I have a gut. Its also useful for hanging the camera off the scooter ring when not needed or putting the wreck reel on the butt D ring.

Don't you find it annoying, things hanging around your legs while you're diving, or do they dangle out of the way, so to speak?

And doesn't it make getting out of the water and onto the boat a pain, or do you unclip the stuff before you attempt to clamber aboard?

I only ask because I currently clip my camera on my right hand chest D ring and my reel & dsmb (assembled) on my left hand hip D ring, behind my contents gauge, but am always open to suggestions

[Steve S]

I've not had a crotch strap for a year now and haven't missed it at all. I am anorexically challenged but can't say I've notice my stomach being lifted at the surface by the waist strap

Safe diving,
Steve

[wilbo]

Originally Posted by Kirstie

Don't you find it annoying, things hanging around your legs while you're diving, or do they dangle out of the way, so to speak?

And doesn't it make getting out of the water and onto the boat a pain, or do you unclip the stuff before you attempt to clamber aboard?

I only ask because I currently clip my camera on my right hand chest D ring and my reel & dsmb (assembled) on my left hand hip D ring, behind my contents gauge, but am always open to suggestions

during the dive - no. the camera hangs below me on the scooter ring - and the wreck reel on the butt ring - if I am wearing it doesn't really get in the way - and you soon forget its there. I frog kick anyway - rather than the more traditional finning.

Before the dive - the wreck reel can be a pain - as when you sit down the cylinders can rest unevenly on it - not a problem - just reach back and push to the side.. The camera is clipped off to a chest d-ring until I am ready to jump in - then I unclip it and hold it up during entry.

After the dive the camera gets moved up to a chest dring - as the housing bangs on my p-valve nut as I walk - and I'm worried it will scratch the lense or damage the housing in some way..

So - not really - things just get moved around as I need to.

[wilbo]

Originally Posted by Steve S

I am anorexically challenged but can't say I've notice my stomach being lifted at the surface by the waist strap

[nigelH]

Originally Posted by Woz

1. unthread crotch strap
2. remove crotch strap from backplate
3. throw crotch strap into bottom of dive bag

You don't need it. I took mine off and it's made sod all difference. The only time I use it is when I had a play with a scooter then you do need one. So I just reattached it for then. Otherwise they are a PITA.

Hummm...

I was of the opinion that a crotch strap is there so the whole rig isn't tight. The harness surrounds you and holds the rig in place without ever preventing air moving round your suit or blood moving round your body. Well that's what Bill Main said. (who he? )

[Mal Bridgeman]

Originally Posted by nigelH

Well that's what Bill Main said. (who he? )

He obviously didn't put as much thought into his rig as Woz though

Mal