Continuous webbing vs adjustable harness for first BPW

[JoeTPhilly]

This video might help:

 

[dflaher]

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.

Did the same with my Ghost. Actually I took it to a shop, because I wasn't real confident in doing my first harness.

 

[Angelo Farina]

ScubaPro was pretty late to the BP/W market.

????
Scubapro INVENTED the Backpack plus Wing buoyancy control device.
It first appeared on their catalogue in 1973 or 1974, if I remember correctly, and was produced till 1979 or 1980, when they launched the first "jacket"" style BCD (another invention by Scubapro).
All other brands, at the time, were procucing anular or horse-collar BCDs...
Here their 1974 BP+W: SCUBAPRO 1974 | BluTimeScubaHistory

 

[MB NZ]

Haven't read all the replies, but I've had a break in my harness for a long time and haven't died. It's not necessary, but it makes life easier. Had a Fastex plastic buckle for many years, but concerned about my own mortality, changed it to a metal buckle last year. I'm still not dead.