How do you configure your gear?

[RDP]

I have a SeaQuest Pro QD+ BC, and I clip/carry a UK C8 with a 36" clip lanyard & a backup watch hooked to my upper right ring, my octo is on the right ring above the pocket, scissors are on the lower right ring with the safety sausage. I have my console on a retractor clipped to the left ring above the pocket. I also carry a backup light in my left pocket and a backup mask in my right.

My question is how do others configure their gear? I know where everything is, but it still seems like a cluster whenever I try to get into my pockets.

Also, I will be changing over to a BP/W setup soon, so I am interested in the way everyone does their setup.

 

[gfisher4792]

Well, I dive a BP, but not in a DIR fashion. Here's my config: UK SLA light bungeed/clipped to right shoulder strap, octo/clip on right shoulder D-ring, slate on right belt D-ring, Knife or shears on right side of belt, storm whistle strapped to left waist belt, near plate (SPG is clipped to left waist belt D-ring). Safety sausage is rolled on bungeed to the back of my plate, with various light sticks, finger spool and other misc in my right thigh pocket. That covers the basics, I think. Still figuring out if I like that setup or not.

 

[String]

Im not totally happy with my kit setup but im getting nearer and tend vary it less and less these days.

Standard BC my octo comes under my left arm, across my chest and onto a hose clip on the centre right of my BC.

SPG/Depth/Compass console under my left shoulder strap and onto another clip.

SL6 torch and spare tables in left BC pocket (because the right zip is broken!)

DSMB/Reel wrapped and ready to go lower right D-ring.

D8R torch on a retractor on upper right shoulder.

Storm whistle attached on nylon string to BC inflator hose.

Strobe cable tied to upper right shoulder.

Net bag, Backup DSMB and slate in drysuit (right front) cargo pocket.

When i take a camera it often replaces the torch (if its bad enough to need the D8 im unlikely to be taking photos!), otherwise i just carry it on lanyard.

Computer on right wrist (due to cuff dump on left drysuit)

If im carrying a wreck reel or other equipment the lower left D-ring suffices.

I think thats pretty much it.

 

[Scubaguy62]

This is my BC
http://shop.diversdirect.com/imagescache/ItemLrgPic2A36430.jpg

I use the top ring on the shoulder strap to clip on my primary reg when I'm not wearing the rig; the second ring on the strap to clip on my dive flag when entering the water on shore dives. The ring above the "ProTour" logo I use for my dive light (SL4 for daytime, C8 for night), which I won't need when I get my canister HID lighting system very soon. On the space between the base of the right shoulder harness and the wing (unto the BC itself) I clip my emergency flares & signal mirror. My console is cliped with a double snap clip on the same, but opposite side from the ring where I clip my light, and I thread the HP hose throught the velcro loop on the left shoulder strap, next to the LP inflator hose (until I get my computer on a wrist mount boot along with the compass. I have customized my rig with two zip tie rings under the removable cushion on the back plate and on the left one I clip my safety sausage. I have also riged a Dive Rite crotch strap with a large brass O ring built into it, which I secure with the cumberbund safety strap. I use that ring to clip on my safety reel when doing beach dives and the string floats behind me, between my fins. The BC has 4 pockets, two that fold tucked into the cumberbund, and the other two at each side, which I use for the weight pockets if I'm diving integrated, or as regular pockets if I'm diving with a belt. I might use either one for a slate. My octo is on a bungee necklace. The two rings on the right shoulder strap are not used during the dive, unless I am harvesting fish, when I use one of them to clip on my slurp gun, or to clip on my camera when snaping shots.

Oh yes, I have a safety wistle zip tied to the LP inflator hose.

 

[JDostal]

I dive a BP/Wing setup for cave diving (hogarthian).

I have a basic webbing only harness. Two chest d-ring, one d-ring on my left. Backup lights clipped to each chest d-ring and held to the webbing w/ bicycle inner tube. Canister light on my right, held with a weight belt buckle. Basic webbing/buckle weight belt. One reg on a long hose, wrapped, and one reg bungeed around my neck. SPG clipped off onto my left chest. Z-knife on my dive computer strap. Computer/compass/timer on wrists. Reels on my left hip ring or butt ring.

Basic, streamlined and all easy to get to.

 

[android]

In my opinion, BC pockets suck and you should only put stuff in them you don't need on a regular basis. I have a Zeagle Brigade BC.

Safety Sausage: lower right D ring
"Storm" Whistle: mid right D ring
BC Dive Knife: commando style on right shoulder strap with tether clipped to middle D ring
Big Dive Knife: inside right calf
SPG/Depth/Compass Console: clipped to right lower D ring (I'm left handed, so I like it on the right side)
Signal Mirror and Firefly 2: left pocket (clipped to D ring I sewed into pocket)
Slate: right pocket (not clipped, so I'll probably lose it soon...)
I use the Atomic SS1 octo/inflator so no octo attachment.

Wife's Suunto D3 on my right wrist if she's not using it.

Stuff to do:
Shears: probably on left shoulder strap
I'm going to try to move the surface survival stuff to a pocket under the wing.

 

[RDP]

Thanks for the replies; I'm gettin some ideas. I also have my whistle on the inflator hose.

String, are you left handed?

 

[String]

Yes im left handed. (now im curious !)

 

[northcoast_diver]

I have a SeaQuest Pro QD+ BC, and I clip/carry a UK C8 with a 36" clip lanyard & a backup watch hooked to my upper right ring, my octo is on the right ring above the pocket, scissors are on the lower right ring with the safety sausage. I have my console on a retractor clipped to the left ring above the pocket. I also carry a backup light in my left pocket and a backup mask in my right.

My question is how do others configure their gear? I know where everything is, but it still seems like a cluster whenever I try to get into my pockets.

Also, I will be changing over to a BP/W setup soon, so I am interested in the way everyone does their setup.

Your light is the main item that you would probably be fumbling for, in your pockets. By snipping two sections of bike innertubing about an inch wide, you can use this to secure your light to one of your shoulder straps, or to your HP SPG hose. Then you won't need to fumble for it. A bolt snap attached to the end of it, and clipped to a large O-ring fastened to your strap or hose, can give you assurance that it won't slip out of the rubber tubing and be lost.

Pockets are nice for stowing emergency gear that you would not normally need underwater, such as a signalling sausage and a metal mirror, or also a small plastic flask of drinking water.

You can wear your spare mask around your upper left arm, or around your neck with the mask turned around and sitting over your spine. There are also mask pouches you can get, that attach to your B/C-harness.

 

[JDostal]

Ah yes...forgot about the gadgets - I've cut off any and all danglies. Whistle - gone. Dust covers on tanks - gone. Hose protectors - gone. Dust covers on regs - also cut off.

When diving in the great lakes I clip a lift bag to my butt d-ring as a signal device...other than that, there is not much dangling. My instructor was rather homicidal towards extra bits hanging on our gear.