Backplate Wing..

[HybridDiver]

Hello, I have been diving my backplate golem setup for almost a year and a half. One question now because i am getting more serious into diving is whats the easyest way to put the bloody thing on. My My sometimes its soo hard to do! Never dove anything eles but this backplate setup and some jackets but Im in love with my Golem Setup but any tips on making it little easyer?
Cheers

 

[karstdvr]

I've been diving BP/W with doubles for 12 years,and I still hate it,and it can be a pain to put on-ironically I look forward to my once a year salt water dive so I can put on a jacket BC. With that said,many people will donn it two ways-string one arm all the way through to the shoulder,and then get the other arm in; and some people will extend both arms backwards symmetrically,and put on simultaneously. The method I chose is dependent on drysuit type with dump valve profile. I have seen some people who can't get it on and off without a lot of difficulty or needing help. In those cases a quick release somewhere may be a good choice,and may be an important safety precaution if there ever was a need to doff gear because of entanglement. Quick releases don't have a history of failure,and aren't the evil they are protrayed to be. Good luck.

 

[wb416]

Sometimes squatting up into the harness helps to get into it, or squatting down makes it a bit easier to slide out of the harness.

 

[Colliam7]

With that said, many people will donn it two ways-string one arm all the way through to the shoulder, and then get the other arm in; and some people will extend both arms backwards symmetrically,and put on simultaneously. The method I chose is dependent on drysuit type with dump valve profile.

I agree. I have trouble doing both arms simultaneously in my DS. So, I put my left arm in first (to get the dump valve past the harness strap), then my right. I also put the right side on by putting my elbow through the strap first (not my hand first).

I definitely squat as low as possible, whether on a boat bench, shore bench, or working off the tailgate of my pick-up.

I have seen some people who can't get it on and off without a lot of difficulty or needing help.

I also prefer to have someone help me whenever possible, by holding the right strap out so I can reach it. I can get the rig on by myself if needed, but why not get some help? Also, I try to help my team buddies with theirs whenever possible to reciprocate the favor, and to get us in the water as quickly as possible.

In those cases a quick release somewhere may be a good choice, and may be an important safety precaution if there ever was a need to doff gear because of entanglement. Quick releases don't have a history of failure, and aren't the evil they are portrayed to be.

Also strongly agree. I use an OMS web harness, with quick releases on the shoulder straps, when diving dry. It is simply a battle to get the rig off at the end of a dive when I am tired, etc., and it sure is easy just to pop one of the releases and ease out of the rig. But, I actually prefer to donn the suit with the releases connected, but that is just my quirk.

I've been diving BP/W with doubles for 12 years, and I still hate it, and it can be a pain to put on-ironically I look forward to my once a year salt water dive so I can put on a jacket BC.

Now, I don’t happen to share this feeling, myself. It has become more efficient over time, and I can do it reasonably quickly on a rocking boat or stable shore. The only time I get a little annoyed is about the middle of August, sitting in the blazing noon sun, getting geared up to go into a cold quarry. Then, every second counts, between zipping up my DS and getting in the water, and the few extra minutes spent wrestling the straps on the rig make me sweat (and curse) too much.

Notably, when diving wet, doubles or single, I use a single piece web harness on a BP and have no trouble getting the rig on. I find it actually easier than using a jacket.

 

[divad]

any tips on making it little easyer?
Cheers

Loosen the straps?

 

[TSandM]

I don't know if you are diving with a long hose or a can light, but one of the things that helps me (I picked this up from NWGratefulDiver) is not to clip those things off to the harness before getting into it, but to clip them off to something in the car. Then the right strap is SO much easier to get my arm into. I do the "left arm to the shoulder first" method. Having all that stuff clipped off on the right strap makes it much harder to get my wrist through it.

 

[wb416]

I don't know if you are diving with a long hose or a can light, but one of the things that helps me (I picked this up from NWGratefulDiver) is not to clip those things off to the harness before getting into it, but to clip them off to something in the car. Then the right strap is SO much easier to get my arm into. I do the "left arm to the shoulder first" method. Having all that stuff clipped off on the right strap makes it much harder to get my wrist through it.

To expand on that.... I like to clip off my light and long hose to the bungee on my backkup reg while I'm crawling into my kit. As you say, it makes it easier, and it works from the back of a vehicle, picnic table, or bench on a boat.

 

[karstdvr]

Loosen the straps?

This is a good solution with a chest connector sewed in place

 

[divad]

Or loosen the straps and cross them behind your neck?

 

[karstdvr]

Or loosen the straps and cross them behind your neck?

That used to be affectionately called the "Playtex cross my heart bra teachique" if you ever look at old cavers list or tech list posts.