Double tank strap?

[Ishie]

Apologies in advance if this is a stupid newbie question.

Jim fairly recently bought the Sherwood Avid BC which features, among other things, a double tank strap in addition to the nylon loop which goes around the tank valve. I *really* like this feature, but find that whether or not a BC has a double strap is not something listed when I'm surfing around for options (probably going to buy a BC from one of the lds so I can try on, but I want to know which retailer I need to find if I find one online I want to try on). I also don't want to sacrifice a BC that has other features I like or that may fit better solely for the double strap. Is this a feature that can be added or is it just a feature of certain BCs?

For the time being, I have a fairly old ScubaPro BC that I got off Ebay. It works quite well for the time being; my instructor checked it out and everything's holding properly. I really like the tank strap because it has a metal locking mechanism (danger to the fingers but very secure) that I don't think is made anymore. Eventually though, I would like to get a weight integrated BC with the comfortable cummerbun with a few more bells and whistles, so I'm shopping around for ideas.

Ishie

 

[scubasean]

Apologies in advance if this is a stupid newbie question.

Jim fairly recently bought the Sherwood Avid BC which features, among other things, a double tank strap in addition to the nylon loop which goes around the tank valve. I *really* like this feature, but find that whether or not a BC has a double strap is not something listed when I'm surfing around for options (probably going to buy a BC from one of the lds so I can try on, but I want to know which retailer I need to find if I find one online I want to try on). I also don't want to sacrifice a BC that has other features I like or that may fit better solely for the double strap. Is this a feature that can be added or is it just a feature of certain BCs?

For the time being, I have a fairly old ScubaPro BC that I got off Ebay. It works quite well for the time being; my instructor checked it out and everything's holding properly. I really like the tank strap because it has a metal locking mechanism (danger to the fingers but very secure) that I don't think is made anymore. Eventually though, I would like to get a weight integrated BC with the comfortable cummerbun with a few more bells and whistles, so I'm shopping around for ideas.

Ishie

I also like two cam bands holding my tank on....

And, I have the dive rite backplate and wings setup which does exactly that, in addition to providing a great fit with simplicity.

 

[MSilvia]

Is this a feature that can be added or is it just a feature of certain BCs?

Anything CAN be added, but unless you're a hard core do-it-yourselfer who isn't afraid to put holes in a good BC, you're better off looking for one that has this feature. I don't think most folks would be doing themselves any favors by trying to make a modification like that.

You may want to consider keeping the cam strap you like from the ScubaPro though... it should be a small matter to swap it out with a plastic one on a new BC.

Eventually though, I would like to get a weight integrated BC with the comfortable cummerbun with a few more bells and whistles, so I'm shopping around for ideas.

You might want to check out the DiveRite Transpac II... it has weight integration, dual straps, and is a back inflate BC with a changeable wing that gives it a good deal of versatility. It's also available with a cumberbund, and has a relatively simple design that will grow with you as your diving skills progress.

 

[Henryville]

Anything CAN be added, but unless you're a hard core do-it-yourselfer who isn't afraid to put holes in a good BC, you're better off looking for one that has this feature. I don't think most folks would be doing themselves any favors by trying to make a modification like that.

You may want to consider keeping the cam strap you like from the ScubaPro though... it should be a small matter to swap it out with a plastic one on a new BC.



You might want to check out the DiveRite Transpac II... it has weight integration, dual straps, and is a back inflate BC with a changeable wing that gives it a good deal of versatility. It's also available with a cumberbund, and has a relatively simple design that will grow with you as your diving skills progress.

The Scubapro straps are still available, I bought some recently from Fred Tagge who posts on Decostop.com as FredT. He also sells nice backplates. Halcyon makes a metal buckled camming strap too, but I found that it needed webbing under the cam for my Faber tanks because you could watch it dig into the paint when you tightened it down. Probably would be find on PST or aluminum tanks.

If you are considering retiring the scubapro BC, do yourself a favor and try out a backplate/wing setup. Many people find it a real enhancement to their diving because of the streamlining it creates. Most of the weight can be in the plate.

 

[Ishie]

Thank you for the advice. I've heard a lot about the backplate/wing set up around here, though I'm not very clear on them. Comfort will be a factor for me. The ScubaPro is just a medium (men's) BC and while it could be more comfortable (soft waist strap, padded back), it's not actively uncomfortable, and doesn't ride up. I'm not sure if the ladies' BCs would be the max comfort for me, but I've found that while some of them are nice, there isn't the variety of options.

If I'm not asking the same question that's been asked a thousand times, how does the backplate/wing set up differ and create streamlining?

Ishie

 

[opiniongirl]

Thank you for the advice. I've heard a lot about the backplate/wing set up around here, though I'm not very clear on them. Comfort will be a factor for me. The ScubaPro is just a medium (men's) BC and while it could be more comfortable (soft waist strap, padded back), it's not actively uncomfortable, and doesn't ride up. I'm not sure if the ladies' BCs would be the max comfort for me, but I've found that while some of them are nice, there isn't the variety of options.

If I'm not asking the same question that's been asked a thousand times, how does the backplate/wing set up differ and create streamlining?

Ishie

Scubapro does have a nice female bc - the main difference you'll find with women's bc's are that the torso's are smaller - contributing to the fit. Most women do find this more comfortable. The ladyhawk (scubapro) is a nice one. Most manufacturers either have all twin cam bands, or all single cam bands. Some women's bc's are silly - containing all sorts of things that men think women would like (like an integrated bra - cause you know how annoying it can be with our boobs floating in our face all of the time...) Anyway...that's another story!!

You will also usually find twin cam bands with a weight integrated unit - which reduces the wear and tear on the unit due to the additonal weight and stress.

Back plate / wing set up differs from a jacket style bc, and is sometimes referred to as a "backmount". Some people find them more comfortable because they don't squeeze you like a jacket style when fully inflated. They create better streamlining because the air travels to the back - and when underwater, this helps make your body position more horizontal. They are popular with wreck and cave divers as the air can be "rolled" from one side of the BC to the other, allowing the diver to maintain a sideways or slightly angled profile - needed for entering slanting areas. One complaint about backmounts can be that you may feel the BC pushing you forward on your face at the surface. This you can get used to, or use counter weights.

Hope this helps..

 

[Ishie]

Some women's bc's are silly - containing all sorts of things that men think women would like (like an integrated bra - cause you know how annoying it can be with our boobs floating in our face all of the time...) ..

lol, can you get it upgraded to the integrated wonderbra? For that extra lift and support?

Back plate / wing set up differs from a jacket style bc, and is sometimes referred to as a "backmount". Some people find them more comfortable because they don't squeeze you like a jacket style when fully inflated. They create better streamlining because the air travels to the back - and when underwater, this helps make your body position more horizontal. They are popular with wreck and cave divers as the air can be "rolled" from one side of the BC to the other, allowing the diver to maintain a sideways or slightly angled profile - needed for entering slanting areas. One complaint about backmounts can be that you may feel the BC pushing you forward on your face at the surface. This you can get used to, or use counter weights...

That actually sounds really really nice. I actually have more of a problem with rolling too far backwards when I'm on the surface or trying to be vertical in the water (like when a harbor seal is chewing on your fin and you're trying to get a good picture of it). When I get my chest, sides, or neck squeezed too much, it makes me far more prone to seasickness, so maybe the back mount is the way to go. I also want to keep the best dive profile I can...

Thank you!

Ishie

 

[OE2X]

Back plate / wing set up differs from a jacket style bc, and is sometimes referred to as a "backmount". Some people find them more comfortable because they don't squeeze you like a jacket style when fully inflated. They create better streamlining because the air travels to the back - and when underwater, this helps make your body position more horizontal. They are popular with wreck and cave divers as the air can be "rolled" from one side of the BC to the other, allowing the diver to maintain a sideways or slightly angled profile - needed for entering slanting areas. One complaint about backmounts can be that you may feel the BC pushing you forward on your face at the surface. This you can get used to, or use counter weights.

Hope this helps..

Streamlining is also achieved with a BP/Wing by not having pockets or an air bladder on your front. The goal is to have everything tucked in so that your head, shoulders and arms break the water.

Wings are growing in popularity with Rec divers as well. When you realize that you can be horizontal in the water, be much more efficient, lower your SAC rate thus extending your bottom time it begins to make sense for all types of diving.

If you are concerned about comfort with a BP/Wing, I would want to know how long you plan to wear it out of the water? I've found with a drysuit that a wing is even more comfortable than most of the padded bcd's and wings. The chief reason is that there is a groove bent for your spine. The weight is now evenly distributed (when on the surface) between your shoulders, hips and to a lesser extent the rest of your torso, minus your back. Underwater it sits very securely on your torso. There is no spinal pressure. While it looks to be a contraption from Spanish Inquisition - it isn't at all.

Most of us who use BP/wings with steel tanks do not have the issue at the surface that Opiniongirl mentioned. At it's worst with a near empty steel tank (200 psi) it will roll you onto your side and not on your face. My steel tanks are neutral when empty, so it may be different if you are using an AL 80 with more positive bouyancy characteristics.