Chest strap for backplate/harness setup?

[fatgeorge]

I'm building my first ever BP/W setup - got carbon backplate and single webbing harness+hardware from Aliexpress and a wing from a fellow Scubaboarder. Been watching some assembly videos for the harness and it seem like none of them use a chest strap, only crotch strap. And the chest strap isn't included. I'm inclined to add one - it's easy to make - so my questions would be:

- Is a chest strap useful in BP/W setup?
- Are there reasons why a chest strap should NOT be used in BP/W setup?

Thank you in advance!

 

[Centrals]

My own opinion.
1. It is not even useful in jacket style bc.
2. There is NO reason why it should not be used in BP/W. It is entirely up to you.
Why would you need approval from any stranger?

 

[ps444mike]

i use a chest strap on two diff backplate / wing set ups

 

[runsongas]

the sternum strap on jacket bcd is because they don't have a crotch strap, so its less necessary with bpw. some women or people with long hikes involved for shore diving find them useful still

 

[lexvil]

A must have for me, here is a new one from piranha

New Product! Chest Strap with Plastic Quick Release Buckle for Harnesses

Our nest chest strap has a quick release plastic 1" inch buckle and we use 2" inch smooth stainless steel sliders to rig to your harness! Has 1" inch plastic pull tabs to tighten your chest strap from either side

www.piranhadivemfg.com

 

[johndiver999]

I use a cross chest strap on all my BC's and BP/w set ups. I helps hold the tank in a more stable position. Of course this is personal preference and a lot depends on the shape of your torso and also your activity level underwater.

If you are mostly drifting about with empty and idle hands (held out in front of you), the benefits of a tighter harness are probably negligible.

You can install one and then experiment with it open or closed and you should quickly be able to establish your own personal preference. Sometimes, I forget to close mine and I generally figure it out underwater and then close it, but it is not that big of a deal for me, anyway.

 

[Nemrod]

I have no use for one. A BP/wing well adjusted to the user should not need one, I am sure there are exceptions. And to make them worse they usually have a plastic adjustable buckle with a tag piece strap that is terminated with a plastic D-ring to hang around in most unkempt fashion.

 

[Centrals]

@fatgeorge

In order to satisfy you own curiosity, try it yourself.

 

[Chris-Wood]

Is there any reason you need one? All the people diving a OPH harness haven't found a need for one.

 

[happy-diver]

I have used chest straps forever you don't know what you're missing out on, shorediving for carrying fins

Do you like my latest version, it is edge of the shelf dive in pull yourself down out of the swell for fins on

Also the chest strap is there to sling the top part of my wetsuit through with my post dive drinking water
bottle with my arms resting on top for the humongous haul back with fins mask hanging from tank valve

I'm surprised this information was not provided by your instructors

Forever is quite a substantial period