Continuous webbing vs adjustable harness for first BPW

[iliketopetsharks]

Had the XDeep "Deluxe" Harness. Tore it off after 3 dives and replaced with a continuous DIR harness. If adjusted correctly, no need to loosen the shoulder straps to don and doff, and it's always the correct length.

 

[Alex Ouroboros]

Here’s my experience bought quite a few different backplate contraptions over the last 15yrs, Poseidon, custom divers, OMS, scubapro, halcyon etc,

Myself and wife now have a donut wing of choice (usually halcyon)

A stainless backplate.

4 x stainless “D” shackles.

One piece of webbing.

If anyone is convinced there’s anything better then I’m happy for them

(All is personal and there needs maybe completely different)

 

[Bubblesong]

Continuous webbing i bought myself, i am also tempted by an easy release, but i dont go for it because it is one more thing to break at worst possible time. If i had shoulder issue, I’d have buddy help.

 

[Still Kicking]

Continuous harness 24 years .... never an issue.

One thing that may not be obvious to new BPW divers is the importance of the crotch strap. It allows the shoulder straps to be loose enough for easy in/out, even in a rescue situation, but pulls the plate down and takes up the slack, and keeps everything snug.

Sizing the harness the first time is also important but a quality shop that sells tech gear should be able to help you and there are many online videos.

 

[boqurant]

I love my basic Hogarthian harness (one-piece continuous webbing) setup and wouldnt go for anything else. With conventional BCDs you need to tame the (badly placed) air bladders and pockets by cinching down tightly, but those are happily not present on BPW! The combo of loose shoulder straps, snug waist and crotch strap does everything perfectly. Easy don/doff, secure backmount tank in any orientation, and it's set and forget: ready and perfectly setup each time. The only mild annoynace is the faff to get it right in the first place.

 

[Still Kicking]

Continuous harness 24 years .... never an issue.

One thing that may not be obvious to new BPW divers is the importance of the crotch strap. It allows the shoulder straps to be loose enough for easy in/out, even in a rescue situation, but pulls the plate down and takes up the slack, and keeps everything snug.

Sizing the harness the first time is also important but a quality shop that sells tech gear should be able to help you and there are many online videos.

One tip from experience: if you are donning your gear at a bench on a boat, don't sit and put on one shoulder strap at a time.

Spread the shoulder straps apart; clear hoses and any other gear out of the way; stand with your back to rig, put your hands through the shoulder straps (past any wrist mount gauges if possible) and sit down. The shoulder straps should slide up to your shoulders. Adjust if needed.

You may need to crouch a bit at the end if you're tall like me but I find it's the easiest way to get into a continuous harness on a bench.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

One tip from experience: if you are donning your gear at a bench on a boat, don't sit and put on one shoulder strap at a time.

Spread the shoulder straps apart; clear hoses and any other gear out of the way; stand with your back to rig, put your hands through the shoulder straps (past any wrist mount gauges if possible) and sit down. The shoulder straps should slide up to your shoulders. Adjust if needed.

You may need to crouch a bit at the end if you're tall like me but I find it's the easiest way to get into a continuous harness on a bench.

That sounds like a pretty good way.
The other way if you’re strong enough to lift a tank over your head is to do the Mike Nelson over-the-head don, but you might activate the divemasters to start yelling “Hey hey NO!!” and people will begin to scream and take cover like you’re swinging a machete around. So maybe that method is best reserved for your private beach excursions.

 

[Still Kicking]

That sounds like a pretty good way.
The other way if you’re strong enough to lift a tank over your head is to do the Mike Nelson over-the-head don, but you might activate the divemasters to start yelling “Hey hey NO!!” and people will begin to scream and take cover like you’re swinging a machete around. So maybe that method is best reserved for your private beach excursions.

If it's a 120, it's more of a wrecking ball than a machete lol.

 

[Wibble]

If you currently dive a basic, continuous webbing harness on your BPW, have you ever wished you had an adjustable harness?

Single one-piece harness. Actually two of them; one with a (heavy) steel backplate, the other with a (light) aluminium one.

This works with two wings: a doubles wing (40lb Halcyon Evolve) and a single wing (32lb Halcyon Eclipse).

I've tried adjustable bits on it, a-la the "Cinch", but it is simply not worth it.

I do add additional D-rings to it as I've a non-standard place to hang decompression cylinders: two chest D-rings either side with the upper one for clipping stuff on and the lower one for the cylinders. Also like two D-rings on the waist; one fixed D-ring at the back for clipping the SMB on a reel upon and a sliding D-ring in front for sidemounting cylinders.

Photos:

rEvo modifications, tweaks and customisations

The rEvo rebreather is an excellent machine which many people dive. It's clearly different from most other rebreathers, especially the cannister ones, all a product of the excellent Paul Raemakers who designed the unit. As with any design, there's always scope for modifications, tweaks and...

scubaboard.com

Am definitely not a fan of any of the "look at me, I have a TEC wing" with all sorts of crap on it. Simple is best. And cheapest.

 

[Kendall Raine]

That sounds like a pretty good way.
The other way if you’re strong enough to lift a tank over your head is to do the Mike Nelson over-the-head don, but you might activate the divemasters to start yelling “Hey hey NO!!” and people will begin to scream and take cover like you’re swinging a machete around. So maybe that method is best reserved for your private beach excursions.

That will work with a back pack but not a back plate/STA with wing nuts/bolts. If using a back plate/STA you’ll risk tearing your skull open as the bolts land/slide on your head.