BP/W Problem

[darylm74]

I own an Oxycheq #45 with a basic backplate and I really love the stream-lined approach. The problem I have is that I have an issue getting in and out of it. I wrote about this awhile back and got some good suggestions that worked for awhile but as I have continued to work out, my shoulders and chest have continued to grow, not that my shoulders were small to begin with. It has continued to be a problem, especially when I have a drysuit on and nearly ripped my relief valve on my drysuit off, so thinking that it is time to re-address this issue. I wanted to do DIR, figured they might have some ideas but don't see that happening for at least 2-3 years now with my second child on the way and other things going on.

I currently have two options. The first is to buy something like a Transpac or a Deluxe Harness. I really like some of these options but I do recognize the failure points. My other idea would be, do they make bigger plates, spreading them out a bit? I just got a basic plate that came with my wing (got as a set through www.covci.com). If the plate was wider, maybe an inch or two, it would fit across my back better and allow me some room to get in a bit easier.

Any ideas on the Transpac or perhaps a wider plate?

Thanks

Daryl

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

I own an Oxycheq #45 with a basic backplate and I really love the stream-lined approach. The problem I have is that I have an issue getting in and out of it. I wrote about this awhile back and got some good suggestions that worked for awhile but as I have continued to work out, my shoulders and chest have continued to grow, not that my shoulders were small to begin with. It has continued to be a problem, especially when I have a drysuit on and nearly ripped my relief valve on my drysuit off, so thinking that it is time to re-address this issue. I wanted to do DIR, figured they might have some ideas but don't see that happening for at least 2-3 years now with my second child on the way and other things going on.

I currently have two options. The first is to buy something like a Transpac or a Deluxe Harness. I really like some of these options but I do recognize the failure points. My other idea would be, do they make bigger plates, spreading them out a bit? I just got a basic plate that came with my wing (got as a set through www.covci.com). If the plate was wider, maybe an inch or two, it would fit across my back better and allow me some room to get in a bit easier.

Any ideas on the Transpac or perhaps a wider plate?

Thanks

Daryl

I guess my first question would be how big are you? Perhaps a larger plate would help, and yes several manufacturers make plates in different sizes (although I think it's more length variations than it is width variations) ... but I suspect the issue may be resolved as simply as putting another inch or so in the length of the shoulder straps (by moving the position of the triglides in the waist strap slots.

Getting into and out of a standard harness ... especially in a drysuit ... takes a bit of practice. One thing I've found that makes it easier is to crouch down and move your arms up into the harness straps from "below".

Not sure if you're already doing that, but if not, give it a try. What I found is that if you can move up into the shoulder straps, rather than try to slide into it from the same level, they tend to fall right where you want them to be on your shoulder.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[Mako Mark]

I had a similar problem for a while when I swiched from to dry and found it a struggle to get in and out of the harness in the drysuit. I found just by loosening the straps about an inch and a half it made a world of difference, it also allows the bp to sit a little lower and does not seem to compromise stability.

 

[darylm74]

I bought the XL plate, but it was based on height. I'm 6'0, vary between 235-240 and it is primarily all in my shoulders chest (give you an idea, I could wear a L shirt but I have to squeeze into an XL or more often an XXL to fit my shoulders and chest, I lost a lot of weight and have built it all back up in muscle).

I do put my arms up and almost sit down next to the edge of the jeep and go straight up. That works best if I can park it cresting a hill so that the tail end is higher, but that depends on where I dive. As far as adding a bit of slack, that works ok with a wetsuit when I'm at the zoo cleaning shark tanks but if I am in my drysuit and have an argon tank on, it always slides around and I end up fighting with it. Perhaps I need to tighten it up more in the crotch and waist. I'll try to get some more practice getting in and out at home some more. Maybe it is still I'm new to the whole thing, wet behind the ears (only got like 20 dives in the drysuit and the maybe 18 of those with the BP/W).

I'll work on the up and through things with the arm and get back to you in a few days.

 

[cool_hardware52]

Daryl,

Most plates, including mine, don't vary much in the spacing of the shoulder straps. Our large plate is taller, and the waist strap slots are ~1.5" further apart than the medium, but the upper slots are only about .3" further apart than a medium.

I do have one suggestion if you need to keep the one piece harness. Most one piece harnesses are rigged with weight keepers on the back of the plate at the lower slots to prevent the webbing from sliding through the plate.

If you remove one (or both) of these keepers you can pull some of the waist strap through the slot, effectively making the shoulder strap longer. If you do it on the left the wasit dring will stop it from going too far.

After you get your arms in you can pull the excess back through when you make up the waist strap.

Stiff new webbing can make this tough, but "working" the webbing in the effected area helps. The 1-3 inches you can get this way works wonders.


Regards,



Tobin

 

[Bobby]

It may be the position of the back plate on your body and the adjusment of your arm and crotch strap. With out waite (ie tank) the plate top edge should be about even with the top of your arm socket and you should be able to put a fist between the plate and your back plate. Most people have the shoulders too tight and the crotch strap too loose. It takes some adjusting back and forth but when you hit on the correct adjustment you will find the set up sooo comfortable. Best of luck.

Bobby

 

[matt_unique]

I own an Oxycheq #45 with a basic backplate and I really love the stream-lined approach. The problem I have is that I have an issue getting in and out of it. I wrote about this awhile back and got some good suggestions that worked for awhile but as I have continued to work out, my shoulders and chest have continued to grow, not that my shoulders were small to begin with. It has continued to be a problem, especially when I have a drysuit on and nearly ripped my relief valve on my drysuit off, so thinking that it is time to re-address this issue. I wanted to do DIR, figured they might have some ideas but don't see that happening for at least 2-3 years now with my second child on the way and other things going on.

I currently have two options. The first is to buy something like a Transpac or a Deluxe Harness. I really like some of these options but I do recognize the failure points. My other idea would be, do they make bigger plates, spreading them out a bit? I just got a basic plate that came with my wing (got as a set through www.covci.com). If the plate was wider, maybe an inch or two, it would fit across my back better and allow me some room to get in a bit easier.

Any ideas on the Transpac or perhaps a wider plate?

Thanks

Daryl

I use a Deluxe Harness. I have found the emphasis on the Deluxe Harness failure point to be exaggerated. The primary argument is - if the plastic buckle breaks you're SOL. Well you're not. I have dove while releasing the buckle and I could *barely* tell it was not connected. All the straps working together keep your rig right on your back. I use weight pouches on my harness and I dive dry. If you had tons of air in your wing and tons of lead around your waist the seperation force with a broken buckle would be more pronounced.

The obvious benefit is as you pointed out - easy to get out of your rig. People with continuous webbing get in and out just fine in most cases. If you want to consider another method, and if webbing adjustments do not resolve the problem, the Deluxe Harness is a viable option.

--Matt

 

[FredT]

If the plate was wider, maybe an inch or two, it would fit across my back better and allow me some room to get in a bit easier.

Any ideas on the Transpac or perhaps a wider plate?

Thanks

Daryl

My plate has a few extra slots that allow the angle of the straps crossing the soulders to vary considerably. Shoot me an e-mail address in a PM and I'll forward the info to you along with a few photos of the optional routing.

FT