How to properly attach gear for streamlining?

[SelkieDVM]

FWIW, here is my current favorite gear configuration from another fairly new diver:

I dive a BP/W, so not pockets. I have a Dive Rite thigh pocket in which I keep a pair of shears with no sheath, a Dive Alert (I can't stand the thing actually attached to the inflator all the time), a whistle, a safety sausage, a Dan tag (i.e. mirror/ID), and my backup computer. Everything is clipped with a bungie loop and bolt snap to the interior D ring of the pocket except the shears, which are in the interior pocket. Actually the Dive Alert is just floating around in the bottom of the pocket, too.

A small dive light when needed is attached to the left shoulder D ring and secured with a piece of inner tubing. My octo is attached with a standard rubber keeper to the right shoulder D ring. A small serrated safety knife is in a sheath on the left belt.

My SPG/depth gauge is attached at the left hip D ring. A compass is bungied on my left wrist and my primary computer is bungied on the right.

I also have a wrist slate which (if I every actually use it) will be bungied on the left arm and a primary light which I just held with a wrist strap the last time I used it.

Cheers,
L.

 

[RJP]

These "keychains" from REI are useful, too....

Depends on what you mean by useful. I'd group those into the "suicide clips" category personally.

 

[Casarez]

This will sound like a broken record from me but........... if you really want to be streamlined you'll want to take a look at a HOG ( Hogarthian ) rig.

Actually my LDS did mention that but for Tech diving. However, after doing some reading I may start assembling the stuff needed to transition to one.

Don't take anything you don't need for the dive.
Keep things in pockets, bungee your second so it's always tucked under your chin.

I saw someone who had that setup. Is there a primer somewhere on how to do that?

Consider dumping the console and get wrist mount instrumentation.

I was wondering if there were analog SPG/depth gauges which could go on the wrist. Unless you are recommending an AI integrated computer.

Straps, buckles and all sorts of **** clipped off and dangling will all create drag.

Anything dangling is at risk of getting ripped off when diving from a boat or at risk of getting stuck on a wreck sometime, It's easy to get tangled in line, too.

Heh, yeah things dangling bother me as well. I would prefer not to have as much doing that.

 

[don Francisco]

Cezarez- lots of folks will tell you how an air integrated hoseless computer will help streamlining by getting rid of the extra hose. Three comments;
1- if you lead the console hose into the BC, the few inches of exposed hose running from the fisrt stage to your left shoulder aren't a killer. Having the data on your wrist does have some advantage, but after a few dives you'll develope a rhythm for checking the gauges & find that the slight added inconvenience of a traditional console is no big deal.
2- many users of hoseless computers still use a standard SPG on a hose, negating that feature.
3- you're a new diver, experiment with what you have & if necessary spend small dollars on clips,
or other hardware. Save the big dollars for diving. After you've developed a better idea of what you want, you can always change, & buy whatever you need. The thing about money is that it's far easier to spend than to replace. dF

 

[Randy43068]

Depends on what you mean by useful. I'd group those into the "suicide clips" category personally.

I agree. Those kinds of things should never be used for SCUBA systems of any kind.

 

[Randy43068]

Actually my LDS did mention that but for Tech diving. However, after doing some reading I may start assembling the stuff needed to transition to one.



I saw someone who had that setup. Is there a primer somewhere on how to do that?



I was wondering if there were analog SPG/depth gauges which could go on the wrist. Unless you are recommending an AI integrated computer.



Hey, yeah things dangling bother me as well. I would prefer not to have as much doing that.

There is all sorts of information on how to accomplish all you sorted out from my post. I'd be more than happy to talk with you about this and equipment choices.

I'd like to see people avoid the mistakes I made when I started diving. I bought all of the "typical" scuba stuff with all sorts of bells and whistles. Long story short I almost quit diving because the stuff I had made it too hard to push myself through the water.

Since the beginning I've replaced almost everything with a much simpler set up and now am very streamlined in the water. Diving is now fun, easy and I really enjoy it.

 

[D_B]

Safety sausage & Sensus Pro are clipped on a ring fairly far back under my left arm. They're out of the way, & hang close to my body regardless of trim, yet decently accessible when needed.

Hmm, I do not have any rings on my back. Maybe I need to look into adding some for things like this. Thanks though for the information.

I put bungee cord loops on my Knighthawk BC so I could carry my SMB in a more streamlined fasion as I've seen on some BP/W's
It tucks it in between the wing and backplate nicely, I have deployed it from there and have no trouble doing so, it stayed in place from quite high giant strides as well (this setup worked for me, and I havn't found any down side yet, plus I always have my SMB with me, YMMV)
Also put my computer in a wrist mount along with wrist mounting my compass, I use a small light retractor like the one shown, for my SPG

 

[DevonDiver]

One way that I spot inexperienced divers is if they look like walking Christmas Trees... i.e. a multitude of gear hanging off every available d-ring.

There are a number of issues with this..

1. You are less streamlined...finning is harder....you breathe your air quicker.

2. You are more likely to get snagged in any entanglements (fishing line, nets, kelp etc)


3. You will be more task loaded in an emergency.

4. Ditching your gear in an emergency will be hampered.

It is a common trend with modern bcds to provide an enormous amount of D-Rings in every conceivable location. These are unnecessary and encourage newbies to collect an enormous amount of superfluous crap and then hang it off themselves for every dive.

Firstly...ask yourself what you REALLY need for every dive. A torch? maybe, depending on depth and conditions. DSMB and reel...sure, but make them small. Slates? maybe. Knife? Sure ..a small,sharp one with line cutter.

It is funny how a fully equipped technical diver can manage to carry everything they need, yet still be slick and streamlined, wheras the average novice diver manages to clutter themselves awfully.

Some tips;

1. Attach all of your kit and consoles to decent marine grade stainless steel BOLT CLIPS (piston design). This allows them to be clipped securely where you need them and to be removed quickly. Attach the kit to the clips with a little bit of cave line (the same line you have on your reel), with a cave knot (do a google search for instructions). Simple and effective...but you can cut kit free in an emergency (i.e. if tangled up). STAY AWAY FROM SUICIDE CLIPS...especially if you ever intend to wreck dive. I, personally, wouldn't let a diver near a wreck with those silly open-sided things....

2. Put some loops of bungee cord into your BCD pockets. This means you can stow everything in your pockets by clipping it to the cord. To get at your stuff underwater, just pull out the whole loop, select the kit you need and then stuff the loop (and other kit) back into your pocket. You can store lots in your pockets (assuming the bcd manufacturer spent some time designing decent pockets and not just covering the bcd with silly d-rings) and won't lose anything valuable this way.

3. Choose smaller gear. i.e. use a finger reel of appropriate length, rather than a huge plastic reel. Use a small size DSMB (i.e. Halcyon 3 footer with oral inflate). Choose a small, sharp bladed knife...not some hairy chested Ex-Navy Seal demi-sword. Choose a small, LED torch that can run for hours from 2x AA batteries...not some plastic monster that needs 4x D cells to power a weak bulb for 30 mins.

4. Mount your gauges on your wrist, not in a console. i.e. get a dive computer when you can...and reduce your console to carrying only your SPG. Get a shorter SPG (high pressure) hose, and clip the SPG to a d-ring on your left chest or left hip.



There are a lot of websites that offer great advice on gear configuration...with some effort and a little bit of sensible investment, you will be able to transform your diving from a cluttered, difficult mess into a wonderful (safe) streamlined experience.




Me...fully equipped with DSMB, 30m Reel, Knife, Slates and light...

 

[diver 85]

Depends on what you mean by useful. I'd group those into the "suicide clips" category personally.

And when was the last time you died from one of these??................That's what I thought......

 

[RJP]

And when was the last time you died from one of these??................That's what I thought......

no gots, so not gonna happen