I have used something like this:
Doubles donning and doffing techniques
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OP
No, you don't climb any steps. Nothing tricky about it.
I have a Keter collapsing worktable that I used up at Dutch when things were busy and bench-space was at a premium. Very compact when folded (< 34" x 22" x 5") and a nice thing is that there is a lower shelf to hold masks, regs, etc. between dives.
https://www.amazon.com/Keter-Folding-Workbench-Sawhorse-Capacity/dp/B001CWX26Y
Put bare twinset on table on their back. Install BP/W. Get suited up. Stand up Tank & BP/W assembly and slip one arm through to stabilize while rotating yourself around to get your other arm in and then go ...
Unfortunately lifting the twinset is not not assisted by the table directly, but you could probably use a 2x6 or similar as a ramp and lift it up a little at a time or "hop" it up over a couple of steps using an inverted 5-gal bucket or such.
https://www.amazon.com/Keter-Folding-Workbench-Sawhorse-Capacity/dp/B001CWX26Y
Put bare twinset on table on their back. Install BP/W. Get suited up. Stand up Tank & BP/W assembly and slip one arm through to stabilize while rotating yourself around to get your other arm in and then go ...
Unfortunately lifting the twinset is not not assisted by the table directly, but you could probably use a 2x6 or similar as a ramp and lift it up a little at a time or "hop" it up over a couple of steps using an inverted 5-gal bucket or such.
I hate to break it to you, but ladders that are top heavy tip over all the time. Actually, I would think a ladder is more prone to tipping over when it's top heavy than any other time. User error, but it most certainly does happen.
Cool.
So you make a ladder that can no longer fold (without removing a part), that takes up a good bit of space in the little car when you could have just donned the gear sitting in the back of the car? Why? (Honest question)
I could potentially see the ladder (that was designed to go on flat ground) tipping over before the car does? Right? Cool contraption, but there's pros and cons to it just like everything else. I would absolutely try one, but since I have a vehicle big enough to work out of I just don't "need" it.
A pro (to me) that I could see using one of these would be a remote dive site where you have to lug gear to. Setup ladder 1st, then lug gear.
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Back in my day these were $65! Holy crap... that was only 2 years ago!I have a Keter collapsing worktable that I used up at Dutch when things were busy and bench-space was at a premium. Very compact when folded (< 34" x 22" x 5") and a nice thing is that there is a lower shelf to hold masks, regs, etc. between dives.
Put bare twinset on table on their back. Install BP/W. Get suited up. Stand up Tank & BP/W assembly and slip one arm through to stabilize while rotating yourself around to get your other arm in and then go ...
Unfortunately lifting the twinset is not not assisted by the table directly, but you could probably use a 2x6 or similar as a ramp and lift it up a little at a time or "hop" it up over a couple of steps using an inverted 5-gal bucket or such.
They're nice though
One of my dive buddies would sit on the ground, strap into his harness, cross his legs, lean forward slightly, and then stand up! In manifolded PST LP 104's!! He wasn't particularly athletic (didn't have an athletic build). It always amazed me to watch him do this.
My approach, with my manifolded HP 102's, HP 120's, and (now) LP 50's was/is to sit on the ground, strap tightly into my harness, lean forward so that my weight and the weight of my doubles are on my knees and hands, swing my lower legs under me, and then stand up. Slowly. Helps if my hands can push down on something a bit higher than my legs, but this is not required. I was/am always prepared to roll to the side if things get unsteady. (I am not about to risk my back--especially now, since it is nearly 70 years old!)
ETA: We purchased a minivan (Honda Odyssey) when we learned that our first daughter was going to have twin sisters! My girls are almost adult now (ages 22 and 20), so I really don't need a minivan anymore--except that it makes this kind of thing (transporting, setting up, donning, and doffing doubles) so much easier!
rx7diver
Of course you can fold it, the board isn't fixed to the ladder.
Not every car has a trunk that's good to put doubles on. It's also more comfortable to work on the gear and put in on while standing.
They're cheap and easy to make gear benches. Easy to carry and transport and stable with a lot of weight on... and you get a free ladder. I don't see any cons in using one of these.
Still Kicking
Contributor
I saw something on TV the other day which said the ability to cross your legs standing, sit down on the floor and then get back up again all without using your hands is a remarkably accurate predictor of longevity (it's a good test of strength, body mass, flexibility, balance etc).
If he can do that with double 104s, he is probably on track to live to 200!
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