Don/Doff BP/W

[NorthWoodsDiver]

I just got my plate and harness setup and adjusted it. I am using a 1 piece HOG harness and found that getting out of the setup is rather difficult with a suit on (no tank or other gear yet, just the plate and harness) and I imagine it will be even worse when bobbing around in the water after a dive while loaded with tanks and other gear. Are there any tips on getting out of a hog harnes after a dive. Thanks

 

[Henryville]

It will take some getting used to if you have been diving a jacket BC with adjustable straps. It's possible you have the straps a bit short. As long as you don't go so far as to have it flopping around on you, why not try feeding a bit of webbing back through from the belt on each side? I just had four open water students this weekend doffing and donning their rigs on the bottom and at the surface without serious issues. After undoing the belt and crotch strap, they fed one arm under the strap and forward to get out.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Unbuckle the belt, side off the left arm, then slide off the right. it helps if you have someone to give a little pull down over the first elbow. Take off all wrist mounted guages as well. The webbing is also more flexible when wet. That helps alot. Finally if you are really stuck- That's what the broken steak knife is for. This is on land of course. Underwater it's much easier than it appears to be both doffing and donning.

 

[timle]

I find it easier to dof/don my BP/W in the water than out. In the water you can pretty much move anyway you need and the BP/W is pretty much weightless. My biggest problem is getting out on land when in my drysuit, get the shoulder strap over that shoulder dump can be a pain.

 

[Nemrod]

Since this is a non-DIR forum then to make it easier to Doff and Don:

Loosen your shoulder straps, they are to tight

or

Insert a second stainless locking buckle (like the waist strap) into the left shoulder strap. To facilitate that there are actually buckles with built in D rings or put the D ring into the buckle when you slide it on as you would a keeper.

N

 

[Homunculus]

i did my adjustment based on the following website:
http://www.dir-diver.com/en/equipment/backplate_adjustment.html

it ended up quite well.
Also, check the following page, similar info:
http://www.baue.org/faq/backplate_sizing_inline_images.php

 

[Blacthorn]

Personally I found that the added mass of the tank, and then the weightlessness of the rig in the water made it much easier to don/doff in the water. Once you get the shoulder straps where they aren't too tight it should be fairly easy slip one arm out then pivot the bp/w off and on. A little practice and it will be as easy as pie. Well soggy underwater pie at any rate.

 

[mddolson]

I use backplate and wings. I have two rigs, one for single and one for double tanks.
I dive in a dry suit 95% of the time. It's extreemly difficult to get out of a single hog harness.
Unlike the photos, I cross my shoulder straps. This makes for a larger arm hole, & easier to donn.
I don't scooter, so I dont wear a crotch strap.
I am not a DIR purist, so I've added SS quick release buckles to the left shoulder strap.
It is secured to the back plate at the waist slots. The shoulder strap passes thru it with about 8 inches of free end to grab.
Most don't even know it there. I reach down grab the belt end and lift to open the buckle.
The DIR crowd will argue it's a failure point, could come open, ........etc

It works for me.

Mike D

 

[TheRedHead]

Most important thing is to remove the bungied back reg from around your neck before trying to doff the BP/W.

 

[NorthWoodsDiver]

Sounds like this may be easier than it seems with a bit of practice. I will eventually have 2 complete setups, a singles and doubles, and both will be a DIR HOG harness. I did this not because I am DIR but because it seems like a good idea. I dont like all the extra stuff (IE clips, rings, adjustable-thingies, etc) so the HOG harness really appealed to me but when in the try-on and adjustment trials I found that it was a simple task to get in the harness but not so simple to remove. I will get it all setup and try things in the water with a buddy just in case. I do like how the HOG harness feels though, I was skeptical but its feels very secure. Thanks