BP/W - where to put the "stuff"

[Splitlip]

The folks are talking for the most part about thigh pockets on exposure suits. Don't bother with those gimmicky pockets that can be attached to your bpw. The just plain don't work. If you don't want to go through the simple exercise of gluing pockets to your suits as I did, there are a number of manufacturers who offer shorts with pockets that can be worn over your suit.
For me, my lights are attached to my shoulder d-rings and held down with bike tube. My DSMB is stored in a pocket between my plate and back. (always fun to make it mysteriously appear.). My primary reel is clipped to a d-ring I affixed to the lower right corner of my plates. Everything else can go in my thigh pockets as required. Spare cutting tools, spare light, slate, mask, snorkel, spare DSMB or whatever might be required for the dive.
I seldom put much of the above in my pockets. More often I'll put my wrist mount gauges and primary mask in there so I can don them after I gear up on the boats.

 

[rhwestfall]

My DSMB is stored in a pocket between my plate and back. (always fun to make it mysteriously appear.).

"pocket" - enlighten me...... where, from who?

 

[Splitlip]

Mine is a Halcyon MC storage PAC. I think Oxy makes something similar for their plates.

---------- Post added April 28th, 2012 at 10:08 PM ----------

Who's plate are you using?

 

[rhwestfall]

DSS, the only one I was able to find who apparently considers us folks who are 6'-7" (and I thank them with much gratitude)....

 

[Splitlip]

The dss plates will be too low in profile to store a DSMB. Better off doing the bungee loops at the base of the plate or as I preferred a DiveRite sleeve. You could even attach a Zeagle sleeve I suspect. Im on my tablet so really hard to post links.

---------- Post added April 28th, 2012 at 10:28 PM ----------

On a side note, lol. I have two friends who are 6-7. I always cringe when we walk through doorways. Yeah, code says all doors are to be 6-8 , but I'm in the business. Lots of people do shoddy work.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

I carry a spool, smb and whistle in my drysuit pocket, each bolt-snapped to a looped bungee attached to the pocket. The only item on my backplate are shears on the right side of my harness. I used to carry a spare mask, backup lights, etc. but never used them in many years so I leave them at home now.

 

[rhwestfall]

recently, I was looking at a horizontal pouch that goes on the bottom of the plate..... the DR seems problematic once you "stretch" the dimensions of my plate......somehow I don't think it will line up...

 

[DevonDiver]

Light (Tec Back-Up/Rec Primary) - Attached via bolt-snap to right chest D-Ring and secured with rubber loops to the harness.



Slates - I don't carry wetnotes for rec dives. I use a set of OMS mini-slates, which is plenty enough for a recreational dive. These live in my right-side thigh pocket (x-shorts or sewn onto wetsuit). As with everything else, they're attached to a bolt-snap and get clipped off onto a bungee loop in the pocket. These slates have 4 'pages'. The top page is left blank, for notes to be written on. The second page gets covered in white duct tape - and I put contingency info (emergency deco) on that with a sharpie pen. Can tear off the duct tape between dives, replace and re-write when necessary. The bottom two pages contain lesson notes for OW, Wreck, Deep and Sidemount courses, written with Sharpie perm pen.



DSMB - This is rolled up into a narrow tube and stowed at the bottom of the backplate, using two loops of elastic bungee. It's easy to access, but out of the way. A comfortable location for storage. (the photo below isn't mine, but gives the idea... I roll it into a narrower tube shape)



Safety Spool - I carry a 50m finger-spool on rec dives, primarily for DSMB deployment. I store this on the rear crotch-strap D-ring (the one by your ass). It doesn't dangle there, but is instantly accessible.

Knife - For recreational open-water dives, I just carry a Ti knife on the left waistband harness in nylon sheath.

 

[Splitlip]

recently, I was looking at a horizontal pouch that goes on the bottom of the plate..... the DR seems problematic once you "stretch" the dimensions of my plate......somehow I don't think it will line up...

Don't use the sex bolts, use quick links. Lots of wiggle room and even the guys at DiveRite express thought them superior. And I had a DiveRite plate.

 

[BluewaterSail]

I highly recommend the pocket shorts. I would look at them before buying though, in order to choose the best one for you. The XS Scuba "highlander" have much bigger pockets than the Scubapro. But with either of them you get 2 pockets (one on each side), with an attachment point inside for your bolt snaps.

Each accessory in the pocket should be attached by a bolt snap or double ender. Bolt snaps attached to the item by cave line.