Installing something to clip a retractor to inside a BCD pocket

[idocsteve]

I use a few retractors on my rig. I keep my dive light on a retractor, as well as an integrated slate/compass, and I use a retractor to keep my BCD vent hose and Air2 Regulator close to my chest. so when I'm swimming it doesn't dangle below me.

Normally my slate/compass and dive light are retracted away inside a BCD pocket, when one or the other is needed, I pull it out, and then when done either leave it hanging from the retractor close to my body or put it back in the pocket.

However my new Seaquest Balance BCD has no inner strap or ring to clip these pieces of gear, so I need to mount the retractor on my BCD waist strap, and that means there's a short length of cord that runs from the retractor into the pocket for each piece of gear, and that makes for a less streamlined rig and more chance of tangling the gear. I also like to keep a foldable snorkel (which has it's own little holder) inside the pocket and I prefer to clip that too so it doesn't inadvertantly come out of the pocket when I reach for another piece of gear.

So I'm exploring options. I stopped at a dry cleaners this morning with my BCD and asked the woman if she could sew a strap inside the pocket so that I could clip the items to it.

She said [...mod edit: try the shoe repair shop...]

So I'm going to look into shoe repair guys but I was wondering if there were any creative scuba people who have solved this problem.

 

[Bubbletrubble]

Does the Balance have grommets on one pocket for mounting a dive knife?
If so, you could rig up some caveline in/out of the grommets to serve as an inner pocket "leash."

 

[idocsteve]

Does the Balance have grommets on one pocket for mounting a dive knife?
If so, you could rig up some caveline in/out of the grommets to serve as an inner pocket "leash."

The Balance has only one pocket, on the right side. It's expandable, and quite large. But no grommets.

The left side has grommets for mounting a dive knife, but no pocket. I have a dive knife mounted to the grommets.

I wonder if grommets could be added to the right side pocket by a camping store or similar...

 

[Damselfish]

Pockets almost always have a way to drain. Usually there is someplace you can tie a piece of line. Even through mesh fabric if it's sturdy.

A shoe guy could probably do grommets too. Or you can buy them in a fabric store along with a little gizmo to install them. Just make sure the metal won't rust.

 

[idocsteve]

Pockets almost always have a way to drain. Usually there is someplace you can tie a piece of line. Even through mesh fabric if it's sturdy.

A shoe guy could probably do grommets too. Or you can buy them in a fabric store along with a little gizmo to install them. Just make sure the metal won't rust.

I'm going to check out your fabric store grommet idea, making sure they're made of a non rustable material. Two grommets and a bungee with a knot tied at each end would be perfect.

I wonder if grommets plus an install tool are available at home improvement stores too...I'm gonna check it out.

 

[Mark Michaud SELAUSAR]

You can take a soldering iron and burn a couple clean holes and use the bungie the way you stated above. If you have a concern about pulling through, place a washer between the knot and BC.

 

[MichiganScott]

I think the grommets are the way to go, you can buy a "kit" for just a few bucks at a fabric store, or harbor freight, however those grommets usually are made of (&*%^$) from somewhere that doesnt have the strictest quality control and they tend to corrode easily, so you'd want to buy some additional stainless or "real" brass grommets for your dive stuff, I use the (good) brass ones, as they are easier to instal and cheaper than the stainless. Obviously they will still corrode but as long as you keep them clean... I have some that are over 20 years old and still look and work fine.

 

[idocsteve]

I think the grommets are the way to go, you can buy a "kit" for just a few bucks at a fabric store, or harbor freight, however those grommets usually are made of (&*%^$) from somewhere that doesnt have the strictest quality control and they tend to corrode easily, so you'd want to buy some additional stainless or "real" brass grommets for your dive stuff, I use the (good) brass ones, as they are easier to instal and cheaper than the stainless. Obviously they will still corrode but as long as you keep them clean... I have some that are over 20 years old and still look and work fine.

I found a grommet kit at the Home Depot, they are "solid brass" and should do the trick quite nicely. I figure I'll put two close together and use a stainless steel whatchyacall it between the two of them and then hook my retractors to that. Thanks for the grommet advice on this thread.

 

[diver 85]

don't pull em(the retractors that is) all @ one time, you'll shoot along the bottom & miss EVERYTHING....

 

[idocsteve]

don't pull em all @ one time, you'll shoot along the bottom & miss EVERYTHING....

Ok, I won't.

A question though

WTF are you talking about?