BP/Harness with wetsuit?

[CRDiver]

I use a 6.5 mil 2 piece wetsuit for all my dives, and a single PST E8-130 cylinder. I love my Zeagle Ranger, but decided to give a backplate/DIR harness a try. A problem came up: I followed all the instructions available on the net as far as fitting (and spoke to an instructor at Halcyon as well), and I just can't get the fit right for moderately deep dives (60-120 feet). When my wetsuit compresses, the whole rig becomes loose on my back. The webbing is snug at the surface (any more snug and I couldn't put it on easily or travel with it comfortably; I'm a shore diver). My Zeagle has a depth-compensating cumberbund that keeps everything secure no matter what the depth. Overall, I gotta pick my Zeagle for comfort and stability. Maybe it would be different if I owned a drysuit, but that's not in the picture right now. Am I doing something wrong?

 

[TTSkipper]

I just bought a BP/Wing myself, but what about switching the buckle to a depth compensating one? I know it will not fix any issues in the shoulder straps, but it could help. I doubt that this method is going to be DIR, but if you are using the BP/Wing in a recreational only way and do not plan on going the DIR route or do any overhead diving, I do not see why it would be an issue. I am sure that someone out there will correct me if I am wrong. I have only done a few dives to about 50 feet for short periods of time with my 5mil full suit and the BP/Wing and I have not really experienced this yet.

Good Luck,

TTSkipper

 

[FredT]

If you have the room left in it you can put a bungee section in the webbing.

I did a DIY description of how to make a compensating weight belt for Diverlink a while back. It should still be over there. If not PM me and I'll see if I can find my original copy.

Time is about a half hour, cost is a couple bucks or less.

FT

 

[MechDiver]

CRDiver once bubbled...

The webbing is snug at the surface (any more snug and I couldn't put it on easily or travel with it comfortably; I'm a shore diver).Am I doing something wrong?

If the shoulder straps are snug on the surface, then they should be just about right at depth. The waist belt and crotch strap are what holds the system in place. Once at depth, tighten the waist strap and you should be in business. You should also have the waist strap as tight as you can get it on shore, The crotch strap should be snug, but not to the point of pulling the waist strap down.

I go between a drysuit and 3mm wetsuit without any adjustment on my single rig.

MD

 

[Robinhood]

I have pretty much the same setup as you, CRDiver. I use a two pc 5 mil with my E8-130 and Halcyon BP/Wings.

I'm Intro Cave so I use this setup for the caves in North Fl...all around 90 - 105 ft and I agree with MechDiver that if everything is snug on the surface you should only have to tighten the belt. All the stability comes from the crotch strap and belt...if that's adjusted at depth(meaning the belt) you should be good to go.

 

[CRDiver]

Thanks for all your replies. I might try a depth-compensating buckle sometime. It just seems to me that using a backplate/harness isn't nearly as practical as a good BC for single tank divers such as myself. Comparing it to a Zeagle, it lacks surface comfort, has fewer attacment points (at least in the case of a DIR harness), and needs underwater adjustment at depth and consequent re-adjustment while ascending. The obvious positives are bullet-proof construction and greater streamlining, but I'm not convinced that these two factors outway the pluses of a well-built BC. My Ranger with a crotch strap fits great, and even when carrying my 130 with a 19 cu. ft. pony, it has always felt secure and comfortable, whether I'm at 30 or 130 feet.

 

[FFMDiver]

Ohh boy, I'm looking forward to this....

:deadfish:

 

[MechDiver]

CRDiver once bubbled...
it lacks surface comfort, has fewer attacment points (at least in the case of a DIR harness), and needs underwater adjustment at depth and consequent re-adjustment while ascending.

Although your comments don't jive with my experience, if you feel more comfortable in the Zeagle, then use it.
As far as attachment points, if you need any more than you probably have too much stuff. My doubles rig holds twin 95s, 13ft argon, two alum 40 deco tanks, canister light, backup light, EMT shears, and knife. I still have attachment points left.

I would also see no reason to readjust anything when you're ascending. That pretty well says you don't have the bp adjusted correctly.

I also don't understand your comment about surface comfort. I can wear my doubles with just a shirt on to transport them. And, IMO, dive gear is not optimized for surface use, or comfort.

MD

 

[CRDiver]

Apparently you haven't read the previous posts; if you have to tighten your belt once at depth, you would also have to loosen it while ascending, otherwise you're going to experience a nice mid-section squeeze! Actually, the instructor at Halcyon I spoke with said there really isn't anything I can do about it. If you dive with a thick wetsuit, and dive relatively deep, it simply won't fit as well as with a drysuit.

I dove a Halcyon 55lb. Explorer about a year ago with double AL80's; I can definitely see the value in using a backplate with doubles. I would never try it with my Zeagle. But for singles, that's another story.

 

[MechDiver]

CRDiver once bubbled...
Apparently you haven't read the previous posts; if

But for singles, that's another story.

Yes, I read the previous posts. I also really dive this equipment.

Obviously YMV.