Dork Divers introduction

[JeffinMichigan]

Hello all

Browsing through the forums', sub-forums, I found this area. After reading the pinned post, I realized that this is were my type of diving falls. I'm a gear nerd, with a focus on historical regulators and diving systems. However I have conformed to the modern safety standards through hybrid systems, for the majority of my dives.

My current standard (hybrid) setup is a double hose regulator, paired with a horse collar BCD.(redundant air integrated) The cylinder is mounted with a Ranger BCD back/bottom section, which in turn mounts the Code 3 Horse Collar BCD. The Code 3, belly mounts a 27cf steel cylinder for air integration and redundant supply.(Octo)

I personally love the simplicity of early setups. The military harness,(1" cotton webbing) is the most free feeling I've ever had while driving. Hawaiian backpacks are a close second. Fins, mask and nothing more.
(Disclaimer: theses are dove on a 72, -3lb full, neutral empty)
The lack of a weight belt, or floatation device is a strange but amazing feeling.
However the season is very short here.(>Month)
Once I need something to keep warm, the buoyancy dance would start. So the vintage systems are put away for another year.

I look forward to seeing anyone on this sub-forum, to discussing minimalist diving/techniques, as well as double hose diving and regs.

Jeff

 

[Waterwulf]

I have dove with a separate tank harness, separate BC harness and weight belt since the early 70's when I was first exposed to Horse Collar types. I tried a jacket type BC and a Wing type but both kept face planting me unless I was constantly working at staying upright. Maybe it's my short legs under big shoulders that causes it.

Now to complicate things, my belly has conspired with gravity to push my weight belt down. So I decided to go with a harness type, like with suspenders. Then I had an idea. I have the equipment to make my own harnesses so I started on a project to make my own weight harness with integrated Horse Collar type BC.

It's almost completed and looks like it will fit my requirements. A comfortable, adjustable harness to hold weights in Q/R bottom drop pockets and serve as a mounting system for my chest mounted BC. I was also able to add some pockets. I have not got it wet yet so I'll be carrying all of my original rig on the first few trips just in case.

 

[johndiver999]

Nobody even knows what a hawaiian backpack is, do they?

 

[Waterwulf]

Sure do but I never used one. Looks like a drink holder to hang on your car window.

 

[happy-diver]

hawaiian backpack - Google Suche

The purpose of the hawaiian backpack question interests me more

here's some stuff

going for a swim

it's a shame people have time for talking but no time for photos


double hose I'm over it doesn't have the oompf for the ocean shore diving I'm doing today

 

[JeffinMichigan]

Waterwulf: The multiple mounting systems can become a mess of straps. Home sewn harnesses are great, they're guaranteed to fit. (my first was a bit tight, didn't account for the wetsuit...) Your setup sounds well thought out. How does your BC attach? What is your tank mount, sewn on cam bands?

Johndiver999: Hawaiian pack has only been recognized by a couple of vintage divers.

Happy-diver: My apologies for no photos, not big on pictures. Looking through what I do have, there's no pictures of my current setup. Tomorrow I will put on my gear and have someone take a couple of pictures. Not a die hard double hoser. When the single hoses get taken out, I feel spoiled.(depending on what model I'm coming off of)
A couple of questions for you as well. What do you think of the inverted cylinder setup? Were you running HP, hard piping, between them and the regulator?

Sorry for the delayed response.
Jeff

 

[Waterwulf]

Waterwulf: The multiple mounting systems can become a mess of straps. Home sewn harnesses are great, they're guaranteed to fit. (my first was a bit tight, didn't account for the wetsuit...) Your setup sounds well thought out. How does your BC attach? What is your tank mount, sewn on cam bands?

I got it pretty much completed except for the first test run. I think I'm going to be very happy with this rig. I put four quick drop weight pouches on the belt with a small accessory pocket in there too. Two more pockets on the chest straps along with a small knife and a line cutter. My Horse Collar BC is attached with bolt snaps. I set it up so it can be unsnapped and swapped out for my bigger one. I made it with plenty of adjustments.

Everything fits like it was made that way...Oh wait. I did make it that way. lol. It's just kind of surprising to me that it all went together so smoothly. Just as surprising, is how nice it feels with weight onboard. Twenty pounds just to see what it felt like and it was barely noticeable because it was all hanging from my shoulders. My tank is mounted in an old style backpack and has it's own harness. Yeah, the two harnesses fit together nicely because of the way the weight harness is tucked in snug. I'm thinking about mounting the backpack directly onto my weight harness rear straps but I have to test it this way first.