Diving from a inflatable boat/RIB

[BlueTrin]

If i was diving from an inflatable boat, does it make it harder to use a backplate and wing ? I think you are supposed to remove your kit and pass it to the guy on the boat for inflatable boats.

I imagine it is easier for the person on the boat to lift a jacket BCD rather than a backplate ?

Also, I plan to use a wireless air transmitter (was given to me for free), do you guys recommend to connect it directly to the first stage or hose ? I am not familiar with this but is there a chance it could break if someone tries to hold the kit by the transmitter if it is attached for the first stage ?

 

[rongoodman]

The only inflatables I've been on have had ladders and only a couple of divers with physical problems took their gear off in the water. If your harness is adjusted properly(as in, not too tight!) I don't see why you would have a problem removing it in the water. Or you could go with something like the G2 adjustable diving harness.

 

[EireDiver606]

I dive with a BP/Wing with longhose mainly from ribs with no ladders. It is harder to get out of my gear than others with BCD’s but I’m strong enough that if I want to I can jump on and haul myself in with full single tank kit on either way. Yes it is slightly more annoying but it’s fine and my technique probably isn’t the best either.

 

[BoltSnap]

I don't think that it matters, BC or BP/W, from a RIB. If you don't have a ladder on the RIB, you have to take it off before climb into the RIB. Best way is to have a rope with a clip attached to the boat you use to secure the BC setup. You climb into the boat and then you and your buddy lift the BC onto the boat.

 

[Diving Dubai]

Kit is kit. a BP/W isn't that hard to get out of. Slip out one arm, undo waist belt slip off crotch strap, and hey presto.

I personally have all my transmitters on a 6" hose. I also have quick disconnest fittings on the transmitter, so I can take them off for transit and easily swap them over between my many reg sets easily and without tools. Some will suggest the hose has an extra failure point - I disggree.

Generally inflatables (Rhibs) have a ladder, not always though. There is indeed a technique for boarding them. without kit, you bounce yourself up and dwon a couple of times, then on the final up you kick hard with your fins.

I've only done it a few times. the grace and style of bording demonstated by the dive staff, wasn't matched by me. I was more akin to an elephant seal trying to scramble aboard (and just as bad tempered) but I did provide the ammusement for the week

 

[Gareth J]

I seldom dive from inflatables or RIB's these days, I enjoy the creature comforts of a head and a hot cuppa too much these days. RIB's aren't conducive to camera's stages and a CCR, there's so little space, and everything gets bounced around too much for my liking.

However, I have, in the past. And yes, on a lot of RIB's and inflatables you board by climbing over the tubes after dekitting in the water. Strictly speaking, a correctly adjusted single piece harness shouldn't present a problem for a conscious diver to dekit in the water. For an unconscious diver, you are supposed to cut the harness free anyway.

I have been using a harness and wing since the 90's, but have fitted had a single release in the left shoulder (shortly after I started). It makes it more convenient, when kitting and de-kitting. I have been told the single release will kill me, but it hasn't yet. My harness moves from single, to twinset, to CCR, what ever I'm diving, its my most consistent piece of kit.

From a lifting a point of view, there's not much different for the coxswain, BCD or BPW they are all the same (heavy).

Gareth

 

[BlueTrin]

Kit is kit. a BP/W isn't that hard to get out of. Slip out one arm, undo waist belt slip off crotch strap, and hey presto.

I personally have all my transmitters on a 6" hose. I also have quick disconnest fittings on the transmitter, so I can take them off for transit and easily swap them over between my many reg sets easily and without tools. Some will suggest the hose has an extra failure point - I disggree.

Generally inflatables (Rhibs) have a ladder, not always though. There is indeed a technique for boarding them. without kit, you bounce yourself up and dwon a couple of times, then on the final up you kick hard with your fins.

I've only done it a few times. the grace and style of bording demonstated by the dive staff, wasn't matched by me. I was more akin to an elephant seal trying to scramble aboard (and just as bad tempered) but I did provide the ammusement for the week

Thanks everyone for the helpful answers.

What is this quick disconnect thing for the transmitter ? I have the Suunto transmitter.

Edit: found it
High Pressure Quick Disconnect

 

[Diving Dubai]

Thanks everyone for the helpful answers.

What is this quick disconnect thing for the transmitter ? I have the Suunto transmitter.

Its a coupling. Suunto make a bayonet connection unit. One half fits on the hose, the other on the transmitters you can then easily remove or replace the transmitter from the hose as the coupling self seals.

I use the scubapro version which I feel is more compace. same concept except mine screw together using a L/H thread.

The advantage with the 6" hose is that if someone does grab it they let go, if your kit falls over etc the transmitter doesn't damage. The disadvantage is that it's not as compact as the transmitter directly fitted to the 1st stage

 

[Diving Dubai]

pic of the Suunto one

Suunto QD

I'll look for Scuba pro version

 

[CT-Rich]

Very little of diving is elegant. I haven’t been diving off a RIB in a long time, but it wasn’t difficult. A rope with a clip for your BCD hanging over the stern, pump up the BCD, toss you ditchable weights into the boat, swim out of your BCD. A couple of pull ups and kick with your fins will get you into the boat. Very much like getting out of the deep end of a pool.