Don/Doff BP/W: Question 2

[jeraldjcook]

I've been doing a bit of reading in anticipation of ditching my BC in favor of a BP/W with a Hog harness, but it sounds like most don/doff them in the water. True? I'm starting to think I should keep my BC for the cattle boats I dive from a couple of times a year. I've watched one of the DIR videos where is shows donning the BP/W using the "over the head" method which I'd have no problem with on land, but on a rolling and pitching boat it isn't something I would want to try. I would be diving wet, so I wouldn't have the problem with the harness getting caught on a shoulder dump like many people seem to have. I'm hoping to make this work without adding a quick-release on the shoulder or going the adjustable route.

Short version: Is a Hog setup a PITA on a cattle boat?

 

[piikki]

I've been doing a bit of reading in anticipation of ditching my BC in favor of a BP/W with a Hog harness, but it sounds like most don/doff them in the water. True?

Don/doff the BP/W in water when others do the BC on boat?? Not true.

Whipping the rig on over your head is absolutely not the usual way of putting it on. You put it on just like you'd put on the jacket - by sliding your arms into the holes and pulling it on like a backpack sitting on the boat's bench...

Short version: Is a Hog setup a PITA on a cattle boat?

No it's not. If you have some physical restrictions (torn up shoulder etc) that would make it particularly hard, then maybe, but I do not find it any more PITA than regular jacket type BC when you get used to it.

 

[johnnyseko]

I've never heard of any of these problems, nor have I ever seen anyone don/doff their gear in the water. That would seem like more of a PITA (thinking crotch strap and doing it in rescue class underwater).

I actually find putting my hog harness on much easier than my old BC. Much less material to deal with getting your arms through and hopefully less crap dangling from the straps as well.

I find throwing the rig on over the head the best/easiest method, but do not do this on a boat!:11:

 

[jeraldjcook]

If you have some physical restrictions that would make it particularly hard then maybe but I do not find it any more PITA than regular jacket type BC when you get used to it.

No physical restrictions. I'm 6'3", 195lbs, and work-out a lot, so if I had to use the "over the head" method like in the video, it wouldn't be a problem but the boat staff may not like it. Is it not the kind of setup that would just allow you to slip your arms through to gear up? Maybe slip both arms in up to your elbows and then slid the straps up to your shoulders.

 

[dannobee]

I like the over the head method, but don't use that method on the boats. I use the in-water gearing up thing when I'm diving off of my little inflatable. It's not as hard as it first appears, and the crotch strap just hangs down. Spread your legs and grab it. :11:

Given a choice, I'd use the over the head method first, followed by the in-water technique. I don't particularly like the weaving my arm through the harness thing when on boats (backpack style, for lack of a better term), and it seems like something is always getting routed wrong or stuck in the harness.

I'm not particularly big or strong, and don't have any trouble doing the over the head method with an HP100 and stainless steel backplate. Put your hands through the harness, grab the backplate, then throw the whole rig over your back. Presto, it's on, and your harness is where it should be.

 

[Nemrod]

Like I said, you could add a second stainless buckle to the LH strap. One of mine is rigged that way and it was common in days past. It certainly helps with people who may have mobility issues, my left arm does not have full movement due to various injuries and if the harness is rigged to tight it is a PITA. I either use the added buckle or leave the shoulder straps looser. It actually is a non-issue.

N

 

[wedivebc]

Obviously those of you throwing it on over your head are not diving double 130 cuft tanks. And if you are I am sorry to have offended you and please don't hurt me.
Getting into a hog rig for the rest of us is the same as a poodle jacket except you can't release the soulder straps. If you skootch down a little lower andput your arms over your head you can straighten up into the rig.
Please don't do the over the head method on a boat. The noggin you crack might be mine.

 

[wreckchick]

In and out of the water, a bp/w is no big deal to don/doff. I just clear the hoses, arms in, scootch down and straighten the straps then sit up!

Rachel

 

[redacted]

Obviously those of you throwing it on over your head are not diving double 130 cuft tanks. And if you are I am sorry to have offended you and please don't hurt me.
Getting into a hog rig for the rest of us is the same as a poodle jacket except you can't release the soulder straps. If you skootch down a little lower andput your arms over your head you can straighten up into the rig.
Please don't do the over the head method on a boat. The noggin you crack might be mine.

"Skootching down" is the key. I usually need to get my rig out of whatever kind of rack they have that it does not quite fit in and fasten the tank straps with it setting on the seat. Then it is one arm in as I skootch down, then the other arm and adjujstment if necessary, and then stand up and fasten the waist strap.

 

[wedivebc]

In and out of the water, a bp/w is no big deal to don/doff. I just clear the hoses, arms in, scootch down and straighten the straps then sit up!

Rachel

I don't believe you are using the preferred North American spelling of skootch