JamesBon92007
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A couple of people asked to see pictures of this so it's not a detailed instruction post.
I like it because it is almost like diving with no BC and uses the old, plastic backpack which I find very easy to don and doff, is very durable, lightweight, fits very securely, and has low drag. The whole thing weighs about two pounds and fits in my carry-on. It has about 15 pounds of lift.
I used an old plastic Sherwood backpack and a Deep Blue (size L) snorkel vest that I got for $10 during a Shopping Cart Special on leisurepro.com. It popped up when I was looking at my shopping cart and I bought it. Right now Orange is $20 and Black is $27. Everything else I had on hand. I like this particular tank holder because it is easy to readjust for different tank diameters. Sooner or later the Black one will probably be $20 or less again. The vest appears to be good quality but a little thicker material would be ideal. I guessed on size L and it was a good guess. I suppose XL might add a little more lift but can't tell for sure. The neck opening with size L was just about perfect for my needs.
Blue Reef Snorkel Vests buy at LeisurePro
I used a dump valve from an old, worn out BC plus I used an oral/power inflator from another old BC. Someone on eBay is selling inflator assemblies for about $25 right now (if you don't have one on hand) but the hose is a bit long and you may need to find a different connector to attach it to and just attach the hose to that. Or, if you are very lucky, it might fit one you have laying around. If you are using an old inflator it may need some work. I took apart the power inflator valve, polished it, and replaced the two O-rings. These valves need to be disassembled regularly but probably the only ones who do that are the some ones who service their own regulators etc.
Low Pressure Inflator Assembly | eBay
I attached the vest to my backpack using five stainless steel screws. The top screw is attached to a strap that I cut off to the right length and wrapped around the top slot for the straps. The others are screwed into the backside of the backpack around the outer edges. I utilized the waist straps by attaching a rubber strap held on with two 3/4" side release buckles. It fits either my steel 72 or AL80 without changing the adjustment. I also attached a strap at the top so it automatically ends up at the correct height when attached to the tank. I used a soldering pencil (25-30 watt) to burn some holes and attached an old auxiliary pocket from yet another old BC. I also found a black pocket (tool pouch?) with a Velcro closure and burned a few drain holes in it (soldering pencil) and attached a short piece of weight belt webbing so it slides onto the waist strap. I also have a large, brass snap-hook on the left side to attach my gauge console and/or a goodie bag etc. Next to the pocket on the right I attached a hose keeper for an octopus second stage. I also attached a crotch strap with side-release buckles on both ends with an "easy-to-adjust" strap configuration in the front, but I've never needed a crotch strap with a backpack so we'll see.
I like it because it is almost like diving with no BC and uses the old, plastic backpack which I find very easy to don and doff, is very durable, lightweight, fits very securely, and has low drag. The whole thing weighs about two pounds and fits in my carry-on. It has about 15 pounds of lift.
I used an old plastic Sherwood backpack and a Deep Blue (size L) snorkel vest that I got for $10 during a Shopping Cart Special on leisurepro.com. It popped up when I was looking at my shopping cart and I bought it. Right now Orange is $20 and Black is $27. Everything else I had on hand. I like this particular tank holder because it is easy to readjust for different tank diameters. Sooner or later the Black one will probably be $20 or less again. The vest appears to be good quality but a little thicker material would be ideal. I guessed on size L and it was a good guess. I suppose XL might add a little more lift but can't tell for sure. The neck opening with size L was just about perfect for my needs.
Blue Reef Snorkel Vests buy at LeisurePro
I used a dump valve from an old, worn out BC plus I used an oral/power inflator from another old BC. Someone on eBay is selling inflator assemblies for about $25 right now (if you don't have one on hand) but the hose is a bit long and you may need to find a different connector to attach it to and just attach the hose to that. Or, if you are very lucky, it might fit one you have laying around. If you are using an old inflator it may need some work. I took apart the power inflator valve, polished it, and replaced the two O-rings. These valves need to be disassembled regularly but probably the only ones who do that are the some ones who service their own regulators etc.
Low Pressure Inflator Assembly | eBay
I attached the vest to my backpack using five stainless steel screws. The top screw is attached to a strap that I cut off to the right length and wrapped around the top slot for the straps. The others are screwed into the backside of the backpack around the outer edges. I utilized the waist straps by attaching a rubber strap held on with two 3/4" side release buckles. It fits either my steel 72 or AL80 without changing the adjustment. I also attached a strap at the top so it automatically ends up at the correct height when attached to the tank. I used a soldering pencil (25-30 watt) to burn some holes and attached an old auxiliary pocket from yet another old BC. I also found a black pocket (tool pouch?) with a Velcro closure and burned a few drain holes in it (soldering pencil) and attached a short piece of weight belt webbing so it slides onto the waist strap. I also have a large, brass snap-hook on the left side to attach my gauge console and/or a goodie bag etc. Next to the pocket on the right I attached a hose keeper for an octopus second stage. I also attached a crotch strap with side-release buckles on both ends with an "easy-to-adjust" strap configuration in the front, but I've never needed a crotch strap with a backpack so we'll see.