Double Tank Setup??

[H2Andy]

He is unformed about how a backplate works for singles and is unaware of how to setup a TransPac. Additionally, he's not doing the kind of technical diving we are down here in north Florida (if indeed he is doing any technical diving at all). Last I heard he wasn't even full cave certified.

no wait



oh, good one dude ... not

ok, and now back to reality

 

[DevonDiver]

I've been researching a lot so that I can know what I am getting when I go to buy my BC. The reason I keep leaning to a Back Inflate is that I like all the pockets and D-Rings that are on them. In particular I am looking at the Bare Voodoo, but then I want to ultimately get into diving wrecks and diving doubles and I keep hearing the BP/W is the best for that type of stuff.

I'm so confused!!

1. How many D-Rings do you think you will need?

Technical divers will have either 3 or 4 D-Rings, which is fine for attaching all the reels, stage/deco tanks etc that they will EVER need. Another D-Ring on a crotch strap is useful for scootering, if you ever do that.

I never worked out exactly why recreational bcds had so many D-Rings ha ha ha

2. Pockets are great for storing stuff and keeping you streamlined. However, on a conventional bc, these pockets are on top of the air cell...often meaning that when you inflate your bc, it crushes the pockets. It is easy to add a pocket to a bp&wing...just buy a suitable pocket that can be threaded onto your waist strap. Better still, get some thigh pockets added to your wet/dry suit.

There are many reason, IMHO, why a bp&wing is superior to a conventional bc.

For wreck diving, a wing will give you a smaller profile...better for moving through restricted spaced. In addition, the 'cleanliness' of a bp&wing should have less features that could get entangled. A wing is also easier to achieve correct trim with...meaning you are less likely to kick up silt.

For diving doubles...a bp&wing is superior because it is a solid, metal-on-metal stucture Most bcs that are 'adaptable' to use with twin tanks will not hold the set as close to your body, with as much stability...or do not hold the tanks together sufficiently robustly for use with an isolator manifold.

 

[SparticleBrane]

1. How many D-Rings do you think you will need?

Technical divers will have either 3 or 4 D-Rings, which is fine for attaching all the reels, stage/deco tanks etc that they will EVER need. Another D-Ring on a crotch strap is useful for scootering, if you ever do that.

To expand on this, a standard Hog rig will have 5 d-rings:

• (2) chest d-rings -- backup lights, reg when not in use, deco/stage bottle neck gets clipped off here as well.
• (1) left-hip d-ring -- SPG, butt-clip for stage/deco bottles
• (1) crotch d-ring -- attaches to scooter. I also use it as a temporary spot to clip something if I am juggling too much stuff and run out of hands.
• (1) butt d-ring -- temporary storage of reel, deco-bottle gets put there on dives with lots of bottles, and used to tow another diver if necessary.

 

[halocline]

People who use HOG harnesses are usually in excellent shapes with excellent mobility in their shoulder joints.

That's not what I've seen. Granted, if you have a serious mobility problem, you could need the quick releases, but almost any "normal" person is able to get in and out of a properly adjusted hog harness. A lot of people initially adjust the straps too tight. You really don't need them super snug for stability.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

Mattboy is on the mark. I am not in the same shape I was at age 23 in OCS, but I have no issues getting in an out of a one piece webbing harness even in a dry suit.

In the past when doing long ice dives or dives in water very close to freezing with heavy dry suit underwear and dry gloves, I did use a pivot ring harness with a quick release on the left shoulder. It allows easier egress especially in sub freezng air temps and woudl work just as well if you had a shoulder injury that limited your range of motion and made egress from a one piece harness difficult.