Backplate harness question

[randy88k5]

I bought a BP/W setup second-hand. I've made several dives with the backplate harness in this configuration. I have seen many pictures of plates, DIR and others, and I do not see this weaving pattern. The shoulder straps need to cross each other before going around your body, meaning they cross behind the neck. It does seem slightly more difficult to get in and out of compared to backpack-style weaving.

I think the original owner might have weaved the plate incorrectly. Is anybody else familiar with this weaving pattern? I need to make adjustments anyway, as some strap locations interfere with my drysuit fittings.

 

[cool_hardware52]

I bought a BP/W setup second-hand. I've made several dives with the backplate harness in this configuration. I have seen many pictures of plates, DIR and others, and I do not see this weaving pattern. The shoulder straps need to cross each other before going around your body, meaning they cross behind the neck. It does seem slightly more difficult to get in and out of compared to backpack-style weaving.

I think the original owner might have weaved the plate incorrectly. Is anybody else familiar with this weaving pattern? I need to make adjustments anyway, as some strap locations interfere with my drysuit fittings.

Crossing the straps is one method, typically used for divers without broad shoulders.

Here's a set of instructions for conventional lacing:

https://www.deepseasupply.com/index.php?page=instructions

Tobin

 

[randy88k5]

Thanks for the info. I might try relacing it the conventional way to see if I like it better. If not, I can always change it back.

 

[Spazzy]

Hey Randy,

The crossed set up was popular a while back. Works fine but I don't like it.

It a good idea to try it with a hogarthian set up as an alternative and see if you like that better.

 

[BabyDuck]

ditto what tobin said - crossing behind the neck is a technique that less-broad-in-the-shoulders folks (often women) use to keep the straps from cutting our upper arms off in a painful manner.

 

[LakeCountyDiver]

+2 for what Tobin said. I have never even considered crossing the straps myself because I have very broad shoulders.

 

[TSandM]

That's the way I weave mine, for the reason Tobin mentioned.

 

[rickyd]

I do have broad shoulders, and I find crossing the straps is more comfortable for me; I have Hammerhead plates. Probably has to do with positioning of the harness slots.