DSS Pro fit harness

[dirthead]

Hi there,

Please would you explain "donning in hog mode"? Just trying to get a mental picture of how it is done.

Cheers,

Andrew

When I don a hogarthian harness, basically I have the unit standing on the ground. Then, standing behind the unit, bend over and run my arms through the shoulder straps, reach behind the backplate, and grab the tank. Then I lift the entire unit up and flip it over my head. My arms are already through the straps, and I just let it slide down onto my shoulders. This works great for singles, obviously, it probably wouldn't work real well for doubles. The stiff straps of a hog harness make this a very easy way to don the unit. The soft flexible straps of an adjustable or comfort type harness makes it more difficult because the straps don't have enough stiffness to hold a position on their own. They end up twisted and just make a mess of the whole donning process.

If there is a table or tailgate to stand the unit on, you can squat and raise your arms up and through the shoulder straps, but I find the "flip it over your head" method a little quicker and easier. I had no luck at all trying to don the unit with the shoulder buckles unbuckled, then buckle them after donning.

Basically, I just try to get both arms going through the straps at the same time, not one arm, then the other.

Once again, these are just my observations, other's may be different.

 

[ShoalDiverSA]

Thanks for the vivid description!

I now have a mental picture of the process and it involves me going to gym....!

I can actually see myself trying this on the RIB, with the resultant shift of weight flipping me over the side. LOL! Donning and backward roll in one smooth maneouvre. Cool.

I see that I will have to make quite a few adjustments in how I do things once my BP-W arrives.

Thanks again for the description.

Cheers,

Andrew

 

[dirthead]

Thanks for the vivid description!

I now have a mental picture of the process and it involves me going to gym....!

I can actually see myself trying this on the RIB, with the resultant shift of weight flipping me over the side. LOL! Donning and backward roll in one smooth maneouvre. Cool.

I see that I will have to make quite a few adjustments in how I do things once my BP-W arrives.

Thanks again for the description.

Cheers,

Andrew

It really isn't that bad, and like I said, this works best for me, might not work well for everyone. I saw a guy do it this way on a Discovery Channel special on diving. I tried it and the first time it felt pretty awkward, but now it's just like putting on a shirt. The whole unit really isn't all that heavy. But you can also just find a spot to stand the tank and get low, then raise your arms up and through the straps. That works well also. Removing is very easy as well. I just undo the waist buckle, then pull out on the chest d-rings to get the straps outside my shoulders, and the unit will just slide down and off. I just squat a little and the tank slides right down to a standing position on the ground.

 

[LittleFish]

Thank you guys for your input. It is helpful to hear some real world experience with the pro fit harness, and with comparison to a hog. Based on what I have heard so far I think I will be happier right now with the pro fit. I will not have the funds to purchase my rig until next month so I will continue to read any more opinions that are posted and keep my mind open.

Once I actually get my rig I will post my impression of what I got.

Safe diving,

 

[Xanthro]

You should try both before you decide. The real difference is in donning, which you can practice at the LDS.

Like others have stated in this thread, I've actually found it easier to don the Hog setup and I find it more comfortable.

 

[cummings66]

I also find it easier to don the hog setup, but I've not tried the flip method. I'm strong enough to do it, but it seemed to be risky. I.e. the problem areas I have on my drysuit are #1 the large ring for my gloves, and #3 the exhaust valve on the shoulder sometimes gets caught by the strap. I've wondered if I might rip something by the flip method.

I'll give the flip a try this weekend, who knows it might be easier and I might have been overthinking it.

 

[Wristshot]

A link to a video would be a great addition to a sticky in here.

W

 

[dirthead]

A link to a video would be a great addition to a sticky in here.

W

I have a video of me donning my rig with the "flip" method. It is very unprofessional, in my living room, with street clothes on, but it does show the method I use. However, I don't have a place to upload the video to. It is a 6 MB .mov file. If anyone could tell me a site that would host it, I will upload and post a link.

Here are some still shots of the process from the video.

 

[tedj01]

If donning a setup in this flip method; step # 1 would/should be to make sure nobody is behind you (esp. your buddy)!!! Otherwise you may be going to ER with an unconcious diver.

 

[PacketSniffer]

Dirthead,

Can you post some with you doing that with doubles.



Richard