Do I Need A Crotch Strap?

[cool_hardware52]

I always recommend one use a crotch strap. As others have mentioned it allows comfort at the surface. With a crotch strap one needs only a small amount of gas in the wing to keep you chin out of the water.

A properly fitted crotch strap, made from soft edge 2" webbing, not weightbelt webbing, is not uncomfortable.


Regards,



Tobin

 

[lostplanetairman]

I forgot to fasten the crotch strap once and my rig rode up my back the entire dive.

 

[oxyhacker]

One of the advantages of a BP/wing with a proper harness is that, since they don't move around, they allow adjusting your trim and buoyancy very precisely. This kind of control is one of the cornerstones of good tech/cave diving technique, since it. among other things, allows one to hover with a little or no movement so as to not unecessarily stir up silt, and swim with a minimum of energy wasted trying to constantly correct for bad trim.

Many recreational divers, who are used to ill fitting, sloppy rigs that are constantly shifting about, don't miss this, since they have never experienced it. So when they move up to wings they see no need for a crotch strap because even without it the new setup is still better than the old one. However, as one grows into BP/wings, one will eventually find it is impossible to take full advantage of them without one.

 

[terrasmak]

I cant even tell its there unless im head over heals then it just keeps everything in place.

 

[H2Andy]

yes, by all means use a croth-strap, for all the reasons stated thus far

make sure you have a wide (2-inch) strap and that it is properly adjusted. you
won't even know it's "on" during the dives.

 

[radinator]

I tried taking mine off this summer for a pool session, and IMHO it turned the BP/W from a secure stable platform into something like a 'normal' BC. It was even worse than a 'normal' BC because when the BP was moving around it was the stainless steel edge of it that was hitting the back of my neck. Certainly not fun. I see the crotch strap to be one of the big features of the BP/W over the BC.

 

[ShakaZulu]

I forgot to fasten the crotch strap once and my rig rode up my back the entire dive.

This is exactly what happens, you need a crotch strap.........especially when you are at the surface.

 

[rockjock3]

I took mine off this year and didn't notice a bit of difference. Like you, I am diving single tanks and not using a scooter. I find it more comfortable without the crotch strap.

Now that you are completely confused

Two of you have said something about a scooter. I have used scooters and can't see why a crotch strap would matter at all when you're using one. Unless you are operating the scooter with your feet it would not pull on your bc other than to push it down against your shoulders.

 

[H2Andy]

the crotch-strap has a D-ring designed for use with a scooter. you can clip a line
to the D-ring for extra... what... stability?

i've never used a scooter, so don't really know

 

[rockjock3]

the crotch-strap has a D-ring designed for use with a scooter. you can clip a line
to the D-ring for extra... what... stability?

i've never used a scooter, so don't really know

Ahhhh. I see now.

Well, I have used a scooter without any straps between me and the scooter and no crotch strap and didn't have any problems.