back plate mod

[milldog]

i have a backplate that i am thinking of modifying by putting a quick release clip on the left harness strap now before i start cutting can i get a spare harness if i don't like it and what do you think would be the down side of doing this

[gunsentry]

NikNaks dose a nice one piece harness

[Woz]

That's what I have and it's great. Get an AP Valves PRESS clip they are miles stronger than side release fastex. Fit it so that the break is just below your armpit and it doesn't get in the way. If it all goes wrong then you can just buy some more webbing from somewhere or other

One piece harnesses are great but an utter PITA when RIB diving. Trying to struggle out of it in a swell with a RIB trying to brain you is no fun at all. Much safer to have a clip. Some people fit a "drop clip" where when you press the clip it simply extends the harness a bit. But I have a complete break and it works well.

You need 2 heavy duty tri-glides as the thick webbing won't fit through a standard one.

Photo here of a drop clip:


oh and if you pop a D ring on each side, if the clip breaks (unlikely but you never know) then you can use that handy double ender in your pocket to hold it together:

[MATTBIN]

If you drop a gooley just replace with standard webbing. I assume yours is standard (weightbelt) width? A clip isnt DIR, if you wantto go DIR dont do it.
It may break, risk against benefits time again. Never seen one break but my boys BCD does sometimes undo itself, but its easy enough even in watre to redo. Some people dont cut the harness but add in an extra loop behind the clip so when the clip is released it just extend that shoulder strap, as per Woz's shots above.

Matt

[Okeanos]

Its another potential failure point, other than that, harness's are all interchangeable, check out the NAS stuff on kitfondle.

[Janos]

Originally Posted by Woz

That's what I have and it's great. Get an AP Valves PRESS clip they are miles stronger than side release fastex. Fit it so that the break is just below your armpit and it doesn't get in the way. If it all goes wrong then you can just buy some more webbing from somewhere or other

One piece harnesses are great but an utter PITA when RIB diving. Trying to struggle out of it in a swell with a RIB trying to brain you is no fun at all. Much safer to have a clip. Some people fit a "drop clip" where when you press the clip it simply extends the harness a bit. But I have a complete break and it works well.

I have an AP valves PRESS clip on each side of my harness and they are as tough as Digger's arse. Unlike Woz I don't have a break in the harness, as that will kill you [1]. Instead I have a fold of webbing that is six inches long. If the clip breaks (or I undo it) then my harness will be six inches longer on that side. I have undone it (deliberately) for real and it makes no difference at all.

Oh, and my clips are on my shoulders. It gives me a nice 80s style shoulderpad look.

Janos

[1] - Not really they won't. I know of someone who had his undone by his instructor on his Adv. Nitrox / Deco procedures course and he didn't realise until the ascent!

[Mr. D]

I have the custom divers harness (the webbing one) with a break in it. The clip has broken but thats more than likely because myself or another bugger dropped a twinset on it. Even cracked it still holds the weight of the twinset on land and obviously in the water.

Woz's reccomendation of those clips seems to point you to sturdy kit. Also the extra loop of webbing it a good idea if you're not 100% sure and don't want to destroy a one piece harness.

Personally I wouldn't go back to a one piece. If you are de kitting in open ocean with a swell and you're trying to stay beside the rib, its just easier to unclip a shoulder and roll out.

[milldog]

Originally Posted by MATTBIN

A clip isnt DIR, if you wantto go DIR dont do it.

absolutely NOT

[MarkP]

[quote=Woz]One piece harnesses are great but an utter PITA when RIB diving. Trying to struggle out of it in a swell with a RIB trying to brain you is no fun at all. Much safer to have a clip.[quote]

I used to find that, but i worked out a better way of exiting the harness - remove necklace, suit inflate and move the long hose so it's not still round the back of your neck, then undo the waistband and crotch strap. Then reach back and grab the valves and flip the whole lot over your head. Keep the reg in your mouth though.

It's very easy, I'm usually out of mine while others are still getting a grip on their clip. Of course, the true solution is to use a decent boat, with a lift...

Regards,

Mark

[Woz]

[quote=MarkP]

Originally Posted by Woz

I used to find that, but i worked out a better way of exiting the harness - remove necklace, suit inflate and move the long hose so it's not still round the back of your neck, then undo the waistband and crotch strap. Then reach back and grab the valves and flip the whole lot over your head. Keep the reg in your mouth though.

Been there, tried that, got the headache. I did the drop clip thing for a bit then after a while when I was confident the clip would be ok cut the drop and neatened it up a bit. Even in a force 7 (!) in the Farnes it was straightforward and I didn't brain myself.