To tether or not to tether

[Mo2vation]

Here's what happened to my "super duty steel ring" on a local dive when my camera got snagged on the anchor line in heavy current on the descent. Lost the rig completely, fortunately it was retrieved by another diver heading down to the wreck behind me! Since then, I use a solid steel ring.

Two bolt snaps, lets you easily clip it off when you need both hands in a hurry, as in the video.

View attachment 549230

Very cool - can't stow on Crotch D-Ring tho.... scootering. I fold strobe arms, and clip to left chest D-Ring - then sling back down left side and kind of place it onto my butt... It sits in the stream and stays put as I scoot. That neoprene port cover slides over flat ports or dome ports so if I'm with a slung 40, the glass ports don't get scratched.

Yeah - I need to replace that split ring ... I've only seen brass solid rings (like the tank neck lock rings...) If they make SS solid, I'd be all over that.

Thanks!

- K

 

[doctormike]

Yeah - I need to replace that split ring ... I've onl1'' Stainless Steel Ringy seen brass solid rings (like the tank neck lock rings...) If they make SS solid, I'd be all over that.

99 cents plus shipping and it's yours!

 

[Mo2vation]

99 cents plus shipping and it's yours!

 

[JohnnyC]

Just like retractors, the coil connection to the snap breaks too(falls apart). I like to use 1/4 bungee cord with my own snaps with a decent knot to hold it. The knot should not be able to come loose.

Mine doesn't suffer from this so I can't visualize what you mean. Everything of mine is knotted to the hardware except the plastic side lock buckle that just shortens it. If that breaks it's not gonna go anywhere, it just doesn't have a "stowed" position anymore.

 

[CuzzA]

400 lb. mono and a couple crimps will not break without some serious force.

 

[Bob DBF]

@doctormike beat me to it, but that's what I use, similar to 36

I can clip it short when moving around and doing other things and unclip to work the camera. It is usefull for other gear as well, I only use a retracror for my slate compass combo.


Bob

 

[outofofficebrb]

I’ve been using this for 260 dives with a full rig - camera in an underwater housing, wide angle lens with dome, strobes, arms, tray, clamps, lights, the whole disaster. It’s a very heavy and sturdy/beefy coil lanyard, not like the usual ones you see and feel. If it can handle mine, it can for sure handle your gopro rig.

Cetacea Housing Coiled Lanyard with Brass Snap

When you’re not holding onto it such as when I send up a DSMB, I clip the male and female clips together. It keeps it out of the way and I throw it behind my left elbow/arm and let it dangle below me. That clip plus the coil lanyard connection itself would both have to fail in order for you to lose the whole thing. Both happening at the same time is very unlikely. Note in the photo where the connection points are for the coil lanyard itself as well as the nylon fabric to the male and female clip and look at the failure points that would need to happen for you to lose your rig. The nylon portions themselves are sewn to the bolt snap and the tether point to your rig directly. It’s a pretty good design.

whatever you do, don’t do anything that goes around your wrist. I find lots of treasure regularly that has the wrist tethers.

 

[doctormike]

When you’re not holding onto it such as when I send up a DSMB, I clip the male and female clips together. It keeps it out of the way and I throw it behind my left elbow/arm and let it dangle below me.

Check out my modification of that system. It lets you do that with one hand. Always an advantage in a sudden emergency, to be able to just clip it off.

That clip plus the coil lanyard connection itself would both have to fail in order for you to lose the whole thing. Both happening at the same time is very unlikely. Note in the photo where the connection points are for the coil lanyard itself as well as the nylon fabric to the male and female clip and look at the failure points that would need to happen for you to lose your rig.

What am I missing? Isn't the weakest link that nylon line loop on the right side of the photo? Is that attached to the camera?

 

[outofofficebrb]

Check out my modification of that system. It lets you do that with one hand. Always an advantage in a sudden emergency, to be able to just clip it off.



What am I missing? Isn't the weakest link that nylon line loop on the right side of the photo? Is that attached to the camera?

yes, but nylon lines like that don’t just fail all of a sudden without notice unless it’s near a cutting device or something similar. If it is looking like it’s damaged or withering away, I would replace it. It isn’t put under a lot of weight stress as I usually hold the rig and I have floats but it is important to inspect the stitching and nylon.

 

[outofofficebrb]

@doctormike i do like your improvisations on the coil lanyard. Thanks for sharing.