DIY cheap backpack BCD from killed poodle

[aquacat8]

Had an old poodle jacket in the closet, and I was going to toss it, but curious, I tore it apart, and I found a pretty cool plastic plate inside! I had to saw off the handle to shorten it, then threaded a rubber freediving belt through it, added some cotton arm straps (because of my Lotte Haas fantasy) and a couple of trim pockets from Deep Six (thanks!) and various accessories. I thought of using just that for a no BC diving harness, and still plan to try. But then I velcroed on an old wing and viola: lightweight travel BCD. Sigh I really need to get outta here and go diving...

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

That’s pretty cool!

 

[Tecomah]

The title of this post caused me a great amount of concern and confusion

 

[tbone1004]

should anyone not have one of those to cut up and want to replicate, they are available here for $15

Plastic Heavy Duty Style Backplate , Piranha Dive Shop |

 

[aquacat8]

Oh cool that’s even sturdier looking!

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

I have an original Healthways plastic back pack from the 60’s, but it ‘aint for sale, no way no how. Best plastic pack ever made.

 

[craigbobbist02]

First thing I ever dove on. Wish I had that old Healthways.

 

[JamesBon92007]

should anyone not have one of those to cut up and want to replicate, they are available here for $15

Plastic Heavy Duty Style Backplate , Piranha Dive Shop |

They don't charge extra for the harness?

 

[Umuntu]

They don't charge extra for the harness?

They do charge for the harness, if you select one.

Is the Piranha version hollow moulded or solid plastic / monoprene?
The backplate off of dead Scubapro poodles is good, solid plastic that's not too buoyant.

 

[JamesBon92007]

They do charge for the harness, if you select one.

Is the Piranha version hollow moulded or solid plastic / monoprene?
The backplate off of dead Scubapro poodles is good, solid plastic that's not too buoyant.

I tried adding the harness and it didn't change the total price, but I didn't get all the way to the end and didn't see where it said how much more for the harness.

Solid plastic sounds great--my old backpack is hallow and I drilled the drain holes bigger so it fills up with water quicker. Otherwise it throws off the buoyancy at the beginning of the dive due to trapped air plus it can give a false impression of a leak.