BP/W Backing Question-DR Plate, Scubapro/Hollis backing?

[Schlange]

Hello All,

I'm currently assembling my first backplate and wing setup, and have obtained a SS DiveRite backplate. However, I have since discovered the back pad offered by DR is one giant cushion, which I'd like to avoid. The only reason I want something for my back is so I have a spot to stash my SMB, but I don't need a ton of padding.

Has anybody successfully mounted a Scubapro or Hollis back pack to to their DiveRite backplate? I've heard they are incompatible, but I have nothing to corroborate this. I could mount a sleeve onto my backplate if need be, I'm just looking to streamline as best I can.

Thanks!

 

[fisheater]

Pockets. You need pockets for your SMB.

 

[Schlange]

Thanks Fisheater Are you suggesting pockets on the webbing? Or drop it entirely and just shove it in my drysuit pocket?

 

[fisheater]

Use your dry suit pockets.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[nimoh]

I used to carry my smb in a backplate pouch, with a spool connected to it clipped off on my but d-ring. Then, once on a dive, I guess I hadn't wrapped the line on the spool tight enough and it came undone during the dive. Once I discovered the problem, I already had my feet entangled. Between my buddy and me, we got it all sorted out fairly quickly and it wasn't as big of a problem as it could have been, but since then my smb goes in my pocket.

 

[Wayne at DiveSeekers]

Agreed, I hate the DiveRite one because of the padding and when used (has slippery surface) the SMB tends to slide out. I love the Halcyon Storage Pak for configuration with 6'SMB, mainly because it doesn't take up pocket space! Halcyon was the one who started this config then others have followed. Plenty of my students have come to me with different manufacturers plates, purchased the Storage Pak and just adapted it by drilling the extra necessary holes. Sometimes I get these as Blems but at the moment I don't have any at the discounted price.


Hollis also makes this and just calls it a Backplate Pad . Similar to the Halcyon, made with fabric but has a little padding (not nearly as much as the DiveRite).



Config works Great! Don't knock it til ya try it!

 

[Dr. Lecter]

The H storage pak is a good option with two minor drawbacks: it's nearly impossible to re-stow the SMB once you draw it, and it's not the best at retaining the SMB when the rig isn't attached to you. Some kind of pull the dot snap might fix the latter (and IMO more annoying) problem, but you'd have to add it yourself. I've resigned myself to occasionally having my backup SMB become an orange tail.

I keep the main SMB in a shorts pocket, and a 200' mini reel in another shorts pocket. For deeper dives, a big reel gets clipped to the butt d-ring. I stopped putting spools anywhere but in pockets after a few incidents like the one nimoh described.

 

[Wayne at DiveSeekers]

Dr. Lecter - The H storage pak is a good option with two minor drawbacks: it's nearly impossible to re-stow the SMB once you draw it, and it's not the best at retaining the SMB when the rig isn't attached to you.

Just Curious, Two things:
1. Why are you going to re-stow SMB once you draw it? SMB is coming out for a reason, once at surface then fully inflating, then cleaning everything up once you are back on shore or the boat.

2. We are out of our rigs all the time on boat rides or on shore and we don't have issues with SMB coming out. What size SMB are you using? We use the 6' ones. If you are using, what I call the training ones (3.3') then yes, i have seen a couple of those slip out occasionally if not stowed properly. To me, the 3.3' are useless, only good for practicing in shallow water.

 

[eelnoraa]

1. Why are you going to re-stow SMB once you draw it? SMB is coming out for a reason, once at surface then fully inflating, then cleaning everything up once you are back on shore or the boat.

Happened to me at least twice where I need to restore my SMB.

I was running line to the barge in breakwater. Water was murky, we lost direction. We decided to ascent and check for bearing. SMB released and accented. Got bearing, restowed everything, descented and continued the dive.

I was diving butterfly house in Carmel. Again, dark and murky water. About halfway through the dive, one teammate couldn't take the dark and cold anymore, on the verge of panic. First, we decided to ascent and see if we are close to shore enough to surface swim back. So we shoot SMB, ascent only found we surface swim was really not an option. So we restowed SMB, calmed the panic diver as much as we can, told her the plan to exit, then descent and went home.

So yeah, in the best case, everything goes as plan, no need to restow SMB in water. But when thing don't go as plan, having that option is nice

 

[Wayne at DiveSeekers]

If I really had to restore an SMB, first choice would be to roll it up and stuff it in my drysuit pocket. Second option is that my Halcyon SMB has a bolt snap & shock cord on it, so I could roll it up and clip it off to a hip D-Ring on my harness.