Backplate Systems

[FSUDive]

I was recommending putting weight into the backplate through use of a channel weight or similar so that you could get it off your waist.

I'm looking at puttingmost of my weight on the plate or tank trim pockets. That way I can center it in the system for good balance underwater and at the surface. But I would still like some way of dumping a pound or two just so that I'm barely positive for emergencies.

Does anybody have any comments on my thought of having at least a little weight able to be dumped? I think it's just one of those things that is a comfort to know you have.

I keep my backup regulator on a necklace under my chin, and my primary regulator is on a 7' hose that wraps around my body.

I think I may do this too. I've actually heard of many doing this. I'll probably hang my backup around my neck and use a long hose for my primary too, but i was thinking of using a tank bungee strap to keep the rest of the 5-7' hose out fo the way, but leave enough for me to comfortably breathe out of it. That way if my buddy needs air he doesn't grab my regulator our fo the my mouth and choke me because the hose is around my neck. It should just pull out clean when he yanks on the reg.

 

[kidspot]

I'm looking at puttingmost of my weight on the plate or tank trim pockets. That way I can center it in the system for good balance underwater and at the surface. But I would still like some way of dumping a pound or two just so that I'm barely positive for emergencies.

Does anybody have any comments on my thought of having at least a little weight able to be dumped? I think it's just one of those things that is a comfort to know you have.

Sounds like a good idea - I personally believe in having as much ditchable weight as I do the weight of my air...unless my trim requires more on the belt (which my doubles do)

It should just pull out clean when he yanks on the reg.

"Should" is the key word. If you accidentally stow it wrong, then it won't work as smoothly as you expected. FWIW if someone grabs my primary out of my mouth all I have to do is duck my head down and it slips right over with no greater (perhaps less) chance of a problem as the "bungeed to tank" idea (which many good divers also use, just not one I'm comfortable with) Plus if there is a hangup somewhere it is where I can reach it and deal with it, unlike my tank on my back. The other benefit is that routing it around your neck makes it very comfortable with no pulling on the end of your reg all the time.

Aloha, Tim

 

[Whitelightnin]

You REALLY (as in; REALLY REALLY REALLY) should take another look at Deep Sea Supply's gear. His SS plate has inserts where the harness goes through it so that the webbing doesn't get cut or frayed. The weight plates bolt on & can be added or taken off without removing the harness. His wings are made "in house" by Tobin himself (and, they are available in CAMO). He makes wings from 20 pound lift up to 70 pound lift. His plates DO NOT NEED a single tank adapter to use a single tank. He has a NIFTY rubber cam strap tension pad that keeps the straps TIGHT on the single tanks (MAN, they WORK!!!). His rigs are priced RIGHT. Be sure to look at his complete rigs. You save quite a bit by going that way.

Besides, Tobin is a really nice guy and a joy to deal with (a little bit ugly but I try not to hold that against him). LOL.

James

http://www.deepseasupply.com/page12.html
http://www.deepseasupply.com/page11.html

 

[Mandy3206]

I agree that if you need more than 8# of ballast weight, you should go with the SS Plate and shave the 6+ #s from the weight system.
Brand selection is a matter of preference, since I can't imagine how a big chunk of steel can fail, just the bends are diferent.
I liked the OMS, since it's drilled all around the perimeter and gives me more options for attachement points.

Tha Hammerhead handles would make sense if you wan't to shave some weight from the plate, but I don't see any real use. I once experimented with something similar to 1" webbing described before, allways ended up using the tank valve so I discarded it after a couple of dives.

In the bladder dept., for me the main concern is that it consist of a inner bladder and rugged outershell so the chance of puncturing it is decreased to the max, most manufacturers use heavy Denier Cordura backed with urethane on the outershell, and a urethane inner bladder. Avoid the stretchy outershell, they don't last. Brand is matter of preference again, bladders from top manufacturers, will perform well, the choice of bungied or not narrows the brands, since to my knowledge, only OMS and Dive Rite produce them.

Check this manufacturers and decide what you want, them go shoping.

http://www.omsdive.com/

http://www.diverite.com/

http://www.diveriteexpress.com/

http://www.deepseasupply.com/

http://www.oxycheq.com/

http://www.deepoutdoors.com/

http://www.zeagle.com/

www.hammerheadscuba.com

http://www.halcyon.net

 

[cool_hardware52]

Besides, Tobin is a really nice guy and a joy to deal with (a little bit ugly but I try not to hold that against him). LOL.

James

Well, nobody's perfect :05:

Thanks for the kind words James


Tobin