Pros and Cons of the various BP Harness Styles

[John_B]

Standard BCD's.
They are the most common system by leaps and bounds. Most of the divers that use them [-]could care less what the other divers use[/-] have no idea there are any other options because that's all their OW instructor had for sale.

T,FTFY.

 

[Teamcasa]

T,FTFY.

You may be right, but so am I!

 

[Shunorlax]

If you feel the need for a shoulder release, use two stainless steel twist-locks.

If you feel the need for padding, make a tube out of 1/8" neoprene and slide it over the shoulder straps.

Where can you get the stainless steel twist-locks. Ive been looking for some but cant really find them... hmm...

 

[ianr33]

Experience, and then, some more experience.

Could you fill out your profile a little so we can see your some more experience?

 

[cmburch]

I have been noticing beanojones' posts lately. His posts demonstrate his experience. But his experience may differ from other forum members due to location and environment.

 

[Dtaine]

Plastic buckles and slides are not a failure point, or they would not be used in hiking gear where they are subjected to much greater weight loads for longer periods of time.

This I have to disagree with - I've been hiking and camping for years and have had many experiences where the plastic buckles and slides on backpacks fail. Each time I've had to repair a pack or buy a new one it was because one of the plastic connectors on the harness broke. Has the quality of these connections improved from 5 years ago - I'd say so, but I also take a good look at every harness system before I buy it.

Are there some benefits to the quick release harnesses for a bp/w rig, for some maybe, but I don't need them. Will they fail? Some will, and I'd personally just like to avoid the chance of it happening when I'm 100 feet or more beneath the surface.

Just curious, are harnesses interchangeable between brands of backplate? For example will the Transplate harness work with an Hollis backplate or vice versa?

If the webbing's the same width I don't see why they wouldn't be interchangeable.

 

[Dive Rite]

The TransPac was developed by Dive Rite in 1995 after a remote dive exploration in Japan where divers had to hike their heavy gear through dry portions of the cave to get to the underwater sumps. The trip inspired the development of the TransPac as there was a clear need for a harness BC that allowed for the versatility to switch gear configuration from backmount to sidemount to single tanks (flexibility that a traditional hard backplate does not offer). Further, humping gear through sumps and across to various cave systems was made that much easier with the TransPac, as it is designed like a mountaineerÃÔ backpack, and thus disperses weight across the hips and the back, minimizing shoulder strain.

The TransPac was used for further exploration in the Shigawatarido cave system and by 1998 4000 ft of passage was added through six sumps, pushing the cave out just over a mile.

The TransPac has a long history of performing in the most rigorous conditions. Our Cave Diving Timeline tracks has more information on the development of the TransPac.

Best,
Ag

 

[cmburch]

For hiking, I switched from steel adjustable slides to plastic hardware in the early 1980's. I use Marmot and Osprey packs with plastic hardware over 20 years for extended treks in the Sierras, Denali, etc. with no problems.

Plastic quick release failure? Preventive maintenance - check all gear that it is in working order; clean sand, dirt, or debris from mechanism; and replace any worn parts.

What would I do if I had a failure on my TransPac or TransPlate quick release and could not fix it right away? I would just loop the adjustment strap though the D-ring and dive.

Can I still exit the water with moderate surf over the rocks and boulders then hike back-up the steep cliff trail back to my truck? Yes, I can.

Can I loop and tie the adjustment strap at depth or while bobbing on the surface of the water? Yes, I can.

Do I think there is some risk of failure? Kind of remote. Most likely a rough exit slammed into the cliff or rocks by a wave or falling down while hiking against a rock. The old tank hit it scenario does not apply to my quick releases.

To each his own. I am into quality, comfort, performance, and reliability.
Dive Rite fits my needs.

 

[rstofer]

Where can you get the stainless steel twist-locks. Ive been looking for some but cant really find them... hmm...

West Marine - search for twist fastener They have more but I couldn't find them. I often have that problem with West Marine and their web search.

Marine Fabrics, Sailcloth, Sail Kits, Canvas and Sail Hardware for Do-It-Yourself -> Fasteners & Tools

Richard

 

[Thalassamania]

What you want is the "Common Sense Fastener Cloth-to-Cloth Complete Unit"