Back plate and wings

[Crush]

I see a difference with regards to harnesses, as someone has pointed out. There is one where its just a long piece of webbing which you thread... and then there is another one which is "ready-made", kind f like a regular BCD without the back and airpockets. Which is the way to go?

There is a thread on harnesses here: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/basic-scuba-discussions/353040-continuous-web-harness-other.html In truth, SB is full of such threads. My comment on that thread is re-posted below.

From the perspective of someone who has just tried out a BP/w: I was initially concerned about the lack of a sternum strap - backpacks without sternum straps tend to slide off my shoulders. In the water this was a non-issue though because I swim horizontally and with my hands in front of me - gravity does not try to pull off the BP, it pushes it onto your back and my raised arms would prevent the BP from slipping at any rate. Now, I did notice the BP moving around a small amount, but I am confident that most or all of the sway can be eliminated as I continue to cinch things up and get used to the setup.

I'll give the BP several more dives before I decide whether or not to go back to my BC. Thus far I don't hate the BP, but given what I read on SB I had been expecting on my first BP dive that the heavens would open up and fat little children with wings and golden harps would descend singing...

The sway noted above was helped by loosening off the shoulder straps (which let me get in and out more easily) and instead tightening the crotch strap so that it pulled my belt down a bit. The crotch strap pulls the BP down on my shoulders, keeping it more secure.

 

[dkktsunami]

Where can I find that harness for 10 bucks? :shocked2:

Webbing is maybe $.50/foot, 15 feet, reuse hardware.

 

[Crush]

Webbing is maybe $.50/foot, 15 feet, reuse hardware.

Plus there is no need to restrict yourself to black webbing: 2 Inch Webbing reviews and discounts, Innovative Scuba Concepts

 

[diver 85]

look around on the internet, I gave less than 250(new)for this DR alum. plate, wing, & oxych. harness about 16? months ago..
EDIT---& forgot to say: I love it....

 

[Jbell8289]

Where can I find that harness for 10 bucks? :shocked2:

Well i was actually referring to just the webbing, the rest of the rig would have to be salvaged of course

 

[Amphiprion]

I suggested the oxycheq single harness from scubatoys because it actually seems pretty inexpensive. You may be able to find around 12-15 feet of webbing for 10 bucks, but you need to include the stainless buckle, d rings and sliders. These need to be made of marine grade stainless steel.

When I first made a harness several years ago, I cheaped out and went with home depot d rings. Never again.

Also, if you start using bolt snaps for your regs and spg, go with marine grade stainless steel, not brass. Brass causes cut fingers underwater.

 

[randytay]

Plus there is no need to restrict yourself to black webbing: 2 Inch Webbing reviews and discounts, Innovative Scuba Concepts

This is awesome! I have been complaining that scuba gears lack colors LOL

p.s. I am a pro-photographer so I tend to see things in a little different...

 

[diver 85]

This is awesome! I have been complaining that scuba gears lack colors LOL

p.s. I am a pro-photographer so I tend to see things in a little different...

but you'll scare the criiters away---into their holes.......

 

[Mitchell Teeters]

This is great information! One question on this, is padding needed on the shoulder and lumbar? TIA

Mitchell

 

[TSandM]

If you use any kind of exposure protection at all, I don't think padding is needed. I have none on mine.

Be careful about the colored webbing -- the polypropylene stuff is too slippery and too flexible to make a good harness. 2" nylon webbing doesn't come in all those great patterns, unfortunately.