DIY Bungied Second - please post a pic

[Peter_C]

The zip debate itself is always a good one. There are many different qualities of zip ties. The ones with a metal tang that cost 5 times as much are what I use for holding regulator mouth pieces in place. The cheapo Harbor Freight zip ties are what I use on most everything else that I do not care if the zip ties fails.

 

[Jax]

Apparently it's "off-topic" to mention an example of where a choice of bungee necklace approach cost a diver their life. Perhaps the OP would be interested to know of such potential consequences?... if so, I might suggest that he asks that question on the thread, making it thus "on-topic"...so that they might be better appraised of the pros and cons to the options thus far stated in the discussion.

If I have incorrectly assumed that the OP would be interested in why we chose our necklace options, rather than just simplistically posting what ​we opt for... then I do most wholeheartedly apologise...

No, in fact, I do appreciate hearing opinions (substantiated) as to why a method is preferred, as well as opinions (substantiated) as to potential issues
in configuration uses. Experiences and observations always help when explained.

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO ELABORATE!!!!

Ditto!!! I want to hear about these possible and probable and proven issues with bungeed backups!

 

[ScubaSteve]

OK, I think I have found the point where people are confused about this picture and how we (I for certain) have chosen to bungee our regs. It has been interpreted that the knots in our bungee as shown in this picture are secured in place by the zip tie for the mouth piece. That is not the case. There is a knot on either side of the mouthpiece allowing the diver to snug them up to the mouthpiece but the reg is still removable if need be. I have personally never had the reg fall out or come loose.

Sam, it has been a year since you and I were dive buddies so I apologize if I have misrepresented you here but I believe we both were set-up the same way.

View attachment 113509

 

[DevonDiver]

Well, I am certainly confused by these 'disappearing knots'.

You can make a necklace that has a loop, which secures the mouthpiece through adequate constriction. Make a sufficiently tight loop and the reg won't detach unless it is yanked from the loop with significant force. It is then easily re-secured. Like this:

The other method involves directly securing the necklace to the regulator, by means of securing the bungee underneath the zip-tie that also secures the regulator mouthpiece. For all intent and purpose, this is a 'permanent' attachment. Knots are tied in the ends of the bungee, to prevent any chance of the elastic being pulled from underneath the zip-tie. Like this:

From personal insights gained, I don't now use the second method, nor advise upon it's use - because the ability to detach the regulator from the bungee provides an option that may help reduce risk of incident. This is essentially the same principle as is applied to whether any scuba equipment is secured to the diver by permanent or detachable (incl. break-away or cut-away) means. Of most concern to technical penetration divers - it is a concept that evolves from past accident analysis where diving in high-risk environments can lead to small, seemingly insignificant, issues rapidly spiralling into life-ending ones. For those non-penetration/technical divers who are interested in seeking a 'best practice' solution that draws upon lessons learned in high-end diving pursuits, the consideration of break-away/detachable versus permanently secured equipment may be of interest.

 

[rhwestfall]

DevonDiver:

Is that elastic material or cord?

 

[DevonDiver]

Is that elastic material or cord?

Elastic. Most good dive shops will sell it by the metre. Having some flexibility allows you to keep the necklace relatively snug in length, whilst also being able to remove and replace it over the head. Of course, it also provides some leeway in preventing you getting harshly throttled anytime you catch it on anything.

 

[Jax]

I'll confess to using a variant of the zip tie around the mouthpiece and overhand knots at the end of the bungie. The variation is that I do NOT use the mouthpiece zip tie and the zip tie is not cranked down. I want to be able to pull the reg off the bungie without too much effort.

If, for example, something caught my necklace, I can pretty easily just pull one end out from under the bungie and then slide the bungie past whatever has caught it. IF, however, it was cranked down with the same zip tie that held the mouthpiece, I don't think I could do that OR the mouthpiece might also come off -- neither being what I'd want. In addition, the traditional full loop of bungie and sliding knots around the mouthpiece means I have a complete circle around my neck. If something was caught, I'd have to cut the bungie or somehow bring it over my head, dropping my primary, etc.

I think the way I've evolved is simpler and, perhaps, a tad safer.

YMMV

PS TSandM doesn't think I can pull an end out from under the zip tie -- test is about to occur, depending on which of us goes down to the very cold basement to grab a reg!

I'm interested in your method, but I can't completely visualize it. Are you saying that you use a second zip-tie (second to the one that holds the mouthpiece onto the regulator) and make a "loose loop" with it in the same place as the mouthpiece one, and then pull the main body of your knotted-end section of bungie through it (towards you) to make the necklace loop? So the knot size holds it, but the knots can be "scrunched down" to be pulled through?

I may have this completely wrong, but I'd like to be able to visualize it.

Blue Sparkle

Ditto -- picture, please?

 

[rhwestfall]

Elastic. Most good dive shops will sell it by the metre. Having some flexibility allows you to keep the necklace relatively snug in length, whilst also being able to remove and replace it over the head. Of course, it also provides some leeway in preventing you getting harshly throttled anytime you catch it on anything.

I know... your picture looked different though... and I thought it to be odd......

 

[Jax]

My fisherman's loop is like Andy's, but I have 1/2" cord past the knot. If I need to remove it for any reason, I just tug on the knot ends and it releases easier.

On the other hand, be careful testing your bungeed loop. I once yanked mine out as a test -- %^&*er slapped me in the lip . . . Yes, I was crying, it hurt so bad.

 

[DevonDiver]

I'm interested in your method, but I can't completely visualize it. Are you saying that you use a second zip-tie (second to the one that holds the mouthpiece onto the regulator) and make a "loose loop" with it in the same place as the mouthpiece one, and then pull the main body of your knotted-end section of bungie through it (towards you) to make the necklace loop? So the knot size holds it, but the knots can be "scrunched down" to be pulled through?

Like this?