Adjustable harness system from Oxycheq???

[JKSteger]

Has anyone used this? I was looking at it to replace my DiveRite Transplate harness but didn't know if it would be worth the switch.

http://www.oxycheq.com/Wing_Access.html

about half way down on the page.

Thanks,
Jeremy

 

[TN Traveler]

I've been diving with the OxyCheq Adjustable Harness since January - about 60 dives - and have found it very comfortable. I have used it to go from 7mm w/ hooded step-in to just a rash guard in tropical waters and it has beed easy to adjust. The shoulder pads make it great for wearing over a light rash guard.

 

[bdshort]

Just got one today along with an OxyCheq plate and the 30# Mach V wing. Set it up as best I could figure without any directions . I'll probably dive it on Monday to see how it works.

 

[partridge]

Just want to revive this thread.

Im deciding between the standard webbing and a harness. I use a 1.5 mm suit. You think the webbing will be too tough?

Also, I have never used BP yet so Im worried about having no quick release and chest strap. Comment?

 

[ShoalDiverSA]

Whether the webbing harness will wear your exposure suit will depend greatly upon the type of webbing used. There are many different types of webbing used from fairly rigid (useful as it has a "memory" - less fiddling when donning the rig) to soft (generally preferred for crotch straps). As I only have experience with my BP/Wing setup, I can't comment on the different webbing types offered by the various manufacturers.

I also had the same concern you have regarding ease of removing the rig. This is a non-issue. The only time it becomes an issue is if you have some condition that limits the mobility of your shoulder joint(s) (sport injury...). From the first time I used my rig, I have not had a problem donning and doffing the rig. It really is quick and easy. The easiest method for me is to "chicken wing" out of the rig, i.e. pop the harness off my shoulder using the D-ring for grip, then folding my lower arm up onto my upper arm, then slipping my arm under the harness (note that I have read better descriptions of this process than what I have just typed!).

As to the need for a chest strap, it is also not an issue (IMO). The way the harness runs through the BP tends to hold the straps in the correct position. As long as the harness is correctly sized (not too sloppy), the harness stays in position.

My advice is that you purchase your setup with a "Hog" harness (straight webbing). If, once you have dived with it a few times, you still have problems with donning and doffing the rig, then consider purchasing a "comfort" or "deluxe" harness. That way you should have not wasted money on a deluxe rig that you most likely do not really need. I have read more than enough posts here from people that have purchased deluxe rigs and wanted to return to the conventional system soon after trying out their systems for the first time.

I think that most issues with the conventional harness can be solved through correct sizing and practice.

Cheers,

Andrew

 

[JessH]

I would say that the standard continious webbing(hog) harness is the way to go for most people. For me it isn't even the failure point argument that does it for me. For most divers the added failure points of a deluxe harness are really going to be a non issue. I just don't see any need for anything more. Why spend more money and complicate things when you gain nothing from it?

Chest straps are simply not necessary with a properly adjusted harness. There is zero advantage to them so why bother? You could make a little bit more of an argument for quick releases but not much of one. Getting in and out of a hog harness is actually very easy once you figure out how to do it. I did my rescue class with some divers who had the full DIR setup going. Removing an unconcious diver from a hog harness does take slightly longer than from a harness with a quick release but it can still be done rather quickly. If you cut them out it takes all of 2 seconds, and they won't hate you for it later because all they will have to replace is the webbing. That is actually why I keep shears on my waistbelt, and tell my buddies that in an emergency don't hesitate to cut me out. Of course this is very rarely even an issue.

Then there is the comfort issue. I get people asking me about the backplate all the time. For some reason they seem to think that the metal must be uncomfortable, or that not having any padding must be uncomfortable. Again I have to say that this is a non-issue. I will admit that the webbing does rub a little bit when I wear my bp/w on land with no shirt or wetsuit on. The discomfort from this isn't even enough to keep me from doing it. Under water this is a non issue, and even above water I have found that a t-shirt provides plenty of padding. If I was going to do a 9 mile hike with it on I might splurge and buy the harness pads that oxycheq sells, short of that I don't see any need. If you get a hog harness and for some reason decide that you need padding, you can always add shoulder pad without having to buy a new harness. Underwater I have found a hog harness to be the most comfortable setup I have worn. It is way more comfortable than a jacket and IMHO even more comfortable than the transpack.

Initially I did find that it was a bit of a pain to adjust the harness. This is really only the case with new webbing when you are first figuring out how to size it right. Today in the pool I decided that I needed to tighten my shoulder straps (they were a bit loose from wearing it with a thicker wetsuit). So I took my rig off and took me about 20 seconds to tighten them up. This was while neutrally buoyant and hovering, which I will admit is actually easier than on land, but it is rather easy there as well Of course the great thing about this setup is that once you have it set you don't have to mess with it. The one place where I think adjustable harnesses have a use is rental departments.

~Jess

 

[JessH]

Just in case you are sick of reading my longwinded posts I decided to sum it up:

Im deciding between the standard webbing and a harness. I use a 1.5 mm suit. You think the webbing will be too tough?

No.

Also, I have never used BP yet so Im worried about having no quick release and chest strap. Comment?

Don't worry about it.

~Jess

 

[partridge]

Come on Jess. I love reading your posts.

Seriously, thanks for all the info. 2 threads now you are helping me with.

I just had some misgivings regarding the chest strap. I use it all the time on my Black Diamond. This pulls the straps together. Now that I think of it, I think I am compensating for an ill fitting BC. I would like my straps to be just a bit shorter but since my belly is quite big I had to get the larger size.

I guess the BP+W really helps people who are formed different from the models used to design BC's.

I have decided to get standard webbing. The only thing now is the size of wing. Check out the other thread I guess. haha

 

[JessH]

Come on Jess. I love reading your posts.

Seriously, thanks for all the info. 2 threads now you are helping me with.

I think we are at 3 now. Maybe you should just start pming me ;-) nah, don't do that, wouldn't be nearly as much fun.

I am glad I get the opportunity to convince others that my way is the right way The main thing to remember when getting gear advice on here is that everyone thinks what they have is the best. This is for two very good reasons 1) It is often the only thing or one of the only things that they have used and 2) Once you drop a lot of money on something it is really hard to admit that it sucks, even if it really sucks. Sometimes people will even go to extremes to convince you something is the greatest thing in the world when deep down they hate it because they are trying to convince themselves that they didn't waste money. I personally do a lot of research and thinking before buying any gear, but I still fall into both of these categories

~Jess

 

[partridge]

I do a lot of research too. Here in the bottom of the Philippines, getting "special" gear can use up a lot of favors from friends and family, not to mention this all costs money. More money than I admit to the wife that I spend on dive gear. Have to be sure the first buy is the right buy.

My mind is pretty much made up by now, probably exactly what you recommend. Just waiting for the prices to come in and then we will see how much I really want it.

Thanks again.