Hogarthian help

[Marie13]

Piranha confirmed I need a STA if I keep the wing, which is probably the route I will go. I did tell them up front that I was a clueless newbie with no idea what to purchase, that I wanted to completely replace a BCD and I bought exactly what they told me to buy. They have every right not to want to deal with me, but if they tell me they want my business and are willing to help me buy exactly what I need, I expect not to end up half way around the world with a rig missing key pieces. I did screw up with the dive knife - I told them I had one and didn't need one, but my sheath is not removable from my BCD, so having to hit $100 for free shipping with the STA and a dive knife is not too bad if I get a few bungies and bolt snaps, and even paying shipping is not so bad in the grand scheme of things. I just want to be sure I have everything I need this time before I place the order, so I am not reordering again or missing something on my trip.

Didn’t you say you’re leaving in a week? Pay for shipping to make sure you get it before trip.

 

[Julius SCHMIDT]

Not to derail the OP question. But, I dont move weights around to make up for bad posture. I keep most of my weight center mass (via, tanks, BP, V-weight depending on the kit). But I dont add ankle weights, trim weights, trail weights, etc., to "fix" my trim. I dont move tanks around, or shift weights, or put weights on my shoulders to fix a trim issue.

In the course of a year I'll go from a rash guard and a single alum 80 or single 100 (for beach dives) to a wet suit with single or double alum 80's to dry suit and, again, Alum 80s or 104's, but the location of my weight never changes (I may add a weight belt).

I normally use jets, but I've also used long fins with scuba. Just need to adjust how I hold my legs.

My exposure runs the gambit, from rash guard/board shorts, to 3 mil shorty, 5 mil full suit, 7 mil one piece with hood, to dry. Its not body type.

My dive buddy and I are completely different "body types" yet, we both dive the same way, weight is not used to adjust trim, just to get us underwater.

I agree to a certain extent. But I see way too many people that start clipping on tail weights, leg weights, shoulder weights, pocket weights, adjusting their tanks in ridiculous manners to fix a problem that proper training would fix.

Please jadairiii I have never read something so basically smart on here regarding the balancing act between weight and trim. I read about putting one pound here and one pound there, and heavy fins and weights on legs, this is just completely unnecessary. I am six feet 200 pounds and from bathing suit to dry suit I do not change my weight it stays centre mass. Would you write a brief paper on your smart and simple system and include it in your own thread for explanation for those wanting to learn what does work, not what might work and don't tell tursiops about it. I am your new semi official No 1 fan if that's ok

 

[bvbellomo]

You will want to assemble the wing/BP ensemble before arriving in Cozumel.

Knives are not allowed in the park.

The knife on your BC probably has some screws on the back that go through grommets. If so you can remove it, transfer it to the new harness. If it is the typical little BC knife you can burn two holes to accept the prongs and screws from the sheath, probably in the left shoulder web below the D-ring.

Or just buy a Trilobite type cutter and be done with it.

James

What is the rule and the concern? Are they worried about weapons? Or damaging marine life? If this is not enforced, I'd rather not be the only diver without a knife. If this is strict, what they call a knife might included what I call a line cutter. That Trilobite is probably okay for safety, and I doubt anyone rational would consider it a weapon, but I'd much prefer something like what MaxE linked, as it doubles as a screw driver and pry bar.

I'd rather not ruin an expensive BCD when I can buy a better knife for $10.

 

[bvbellomo]

Didn’t you say you’re leaving in a week? Pay for shipping to make sure you get it before trip.

If I hit $100, shipping is free and it shouldn't be faster or slower. Either way, I want to avoid a 3rd order, not only to avoid paying two shipping charges, but if I don't realize I need the 3rd order for a few days, it will be too late. I suppose I can always get something in Cozumel if it is missing.

 

[Marie13]

You’re making a major gear change right before a trip with no way to get it wet. I hope you can do a very easy shallow dive with your new BP/W before you do anything else.

 

[bvbellomo]

You’re making a major gear change right before a trip with no way to get it wet. I hope you can do a very easy shallow dive with your new BP/W before you do anything else.

Me too. I've never seen a dive op not offer a check dive, at least to get weights right. But that doesn't mean I don't want to do everything I can to prepare. Even if I had time to do a local dive, that's still a weekend trip, so it really isn't a much bigger risk.

Computer with gauges and reg will be the same thing I've used on 50+ dives, so this isn't as major a change as it could be.

 

[Marie13]

Me too. I've never seen a dive op not offer a check dive, at least to get weights right. But that doesn't mean I don't want to do everything I can to prepare. Even if I had time to do a local dive, that's still a weekend trip, so it really isn't a much bigger risk.

Make sure to tell them you’ve got a brand new BC that’s never been wet. Even a dip in a pool would be better than nothing.

 

[Nemrod]

What is the rule and the concern? Are they worried about weapons? Or damaging marine life? If this is not enforced, I'd rather not be the only diver without a knife. If this is strict, what they call a knife might included what I call a line cutter. That Trilobite is probably okay for safety, and I doubt anyone rational would consider it a weapon, but I'd much prefer something like what MaxE linked, as it doubles as a screw driver and pry bar.

I'd rather not ruin an expensive BCD when I can buy a better knife for $10.

As far as I know a knife is not allowed in the park. Yes, the concern is people poking at things with a knife. Will your DM insist on removing it, I cannot answer. You do not need a knife in the areas dived in Cozumel. If you are not okay with a trilobite then scissors would be an additional tool for line cutting. Up north, outside the park, Barracuda Reef, does have some monofilament about but inside the park and the reefs commonly dived by the operators I have never seen any entanglement hazard or any reason to carry a knife. I have been going to Cozumel since 1984 and I have yet to be hooked, caught in a net or needed to whittle my way out of a situation. We are guests in another country, I try to make the DMs life easy, if they like you they do better dives for you. If boarded by a marine patrol the officers mostly look for the park bracelets. I have seen this happen only once to us and a few years ago I saw a patrol look another boat over. Again, you are a guest in another country.

No do not ruin the other BC. I was saying that sometimes those BC knives are attached on the backside with button screws and actually do come off. They are an optional accessory often. But yours could be permanently affixed, I do not know much about poodle jackets.

This is a pretty good link describing how to set up a plate. Leave the tag ends a little long at first to allow for adjustment, nothing like cutting a one piece webbing too short, arrrggghh, that is painful. I like my shoulder straps a little looser than many folks do.

How to Assemble a Backplate and Continuous Weave Harness

The assembly of a backplate and a continuous weave harness is a skill that many experienced divers have perfected throughout years of diving, helping them to understand the details and layout of the dive gear they are depending on.

www.tdisdi.com

Have a good trip, have fun.

James

 

[Ulfhedinn]

As far as I know a knife is not allowed in the park. Yes, the concern is people poking at things with a knife. Will your DM insist on removing it, I cannot answer. You do not need a knife in the areas dived in Cozumel. If you are not okay with a trilobite then scissors would be an additional tool for line cutting. Up north, outside the park, Barracuda Reef, does have some monofilament about but inside the park and the reefs commonly dived by the operators I have never seen any entanglement hazard or any reason to carry a knife. I have been going to Cozumel since 1984 and I have yet to be hooked, caught in a net or needed to whittle my way out of a situation. We are guests in another country, I try to make the DMs life easy, if they like you they do better dives for you. If boarded by a marine patrol the officers mostly look for the park bracelets. I have seen this happen only once to us and a few years ago I saw a patrol look another boat over. Again, you are a guest in another country.

No do not ruin the other BC. I was saying that sometimes those BC knives are attached on the backside with button screws and actually do come off. They are an optional accessory often. But yours could be permanently affixed, I do not know much about poodle jackets.

This is a pretty good link describing how to set up a plate. Leave the tag ends a little long at first to allow for adjustment, nothing like cutting a one piece webbing too short, arrrggghh, that is painful. I like my shoulder straps a little looser than many folks do.

How to Assemble a Backplate and Continuous Weave Harness

The assembly of a backplate and a continuous weave harness is a skill that many experienced divers have perfected throughout years of diving, helping them to understand the details and layout of the dive gear they are depending on.

www.tdisdi.com

Have a good trip, have fun.

James

That is a good link..

 

[jadairiii]

...Would you write a brief paper on your smart and simple system and include it in your own thread for explanation for those wanting to learn what does work, not what might work and don't tell tursiops about it. I am your new semi official No 1 fan if that's ok

Thanks, but my knowledge came from great instructors (and yes, there are some not so great GUE instructors) that taught me GUE Fundamentals and my GUE cave class.

And to follow up, diving with like minded people that push you to keep yourself in order.