Hog Harness

[fisherkid]

I'd like to know how easy it is to get into a hog harness. I know in a sitting position it shouldn't be too difficult but how about while standing or in the water? It seems to me that it would be very difficult.

Maybe I'm totally off base with that? I'm considering a BP/W setup and one of my concerns is getting into it from positions other than sitting.

Thanks,
Adam

 

[LeadTurn_SD]

Easy.

Remember, in the water the weight is off the harness. Also, the shoulder straps on a properly adjusted harness are not tight. Not sloppy-loose, but not cutting-into-your-shoulders tight either.

With the weight of the tank off the straps (someone lifting tank from behind, leaning tank against something, etc.) you should be able to slip the straps off your shoulders. With a single tank you can usually "chicken wing" your way out of the tank, somtimes by lifting the bottom ot the tank with one hand to take the weight off the straps.

Putting the rig on while standing is really not very different than with a jacket BC... if you have average strength you can get it on yourself, but it is much easier with a buddy to help you by lifting the tank. When by myself, I do an "overhead" don.

Hope this helps.

Best wishes.

 

[NorthWoodsDiver]

It took about 4 or 5 dives of trying the various techniques and asking questions here to figure it out for me. once you get it its pretty simple though every once and a while I get a drysuit cuff ring caught and I look like an idiot trying to fight my way out.

I didn't have the luxury of a buddy on most of those first dives. if you have a buddy around its easier.

Standing isn't real graceful unless your good at the over your head technique.

I haven't really found a scenario where in water or sitting didn't work I guess.

 

[fisherkid]

thanks. I was wondering for things like beach dives or kayak dives where you don't have the nice bench that the dive boat provides.

 

[Fishpie]

There is a bit of extra difficulty putting on any buoyancy system with a crotch strap.
If you are on a boat you'll most likely have to stand up to get the crotch strap fitted properly, no problem if it's calm but....
When donning in the water you will have to get most of the air out of the wing before doing up the belt and crotch strap otherwise the rig will be floating up and sideways to your body.

 

[DevonDiver]

You just have to get used to a single-piece-harness. Once you have it adjusted right, and do a few dozen dives with it...it will feel like a second skin...and slips on and off easily.

I teach diving (recreational and technical) and use backplate and single-piece-harness for both. No hassle at all.

 

[TSandM]

In thin exposure protection, and without dry glove rings, it's very easy to get in and out of a harness. I do find it a challenge to get out of my rig when there is nothing to set it down upon, but then, I had the same problem with a BC. But your buddy can step behind you and support the tank until you are out of the straps. That's why it's a buddy sport!

 

[DA Aquamaster]

My double 95's with a stainless steel plate, wing, cannister light, and regs weighs around 130 lbs when the tanks are full. I am not a real big fan of donning that much weight by flipping it over my head.

Donning it on a beach can be problematic but most people I know don it out of the back of their car or SUV if parking is close enough to walk to the beach or spring.

Getting out of it standing up is not a major issue. If the straps are properly adjusted you can chicken wing one arm to get it free, them turn out of the harness and set the tanks on your upper thigh and then on the ground just like you'd take off a large backpack.