I'm planning on flopping off the kayak with fins and mask on, pulling off tank and inflated BCD,
getting into BCD on surface, doing a buddy check and away we go. With help from my dive buddy, I'm
also hoping I can flop the tank and BCD back on the back of the Kayak. I also plan on practicing in my
pool.
You have it mostly right. Keep some air in the BC and put the rig together before putting it aboard the yak. With the BC/rig inflated partially, at the dive site, turn around in the seat, undo the straps and roll it over, tethered to the yak with a bolt snap or similar. Put the rig on in the water, regulator in mouth first (with air on), tow the yak with you, I use a 1/8 inch line and reel. Sometimes I may also carry a small 1.5 pound fluke anchor to clip to the reel for temporary anchoring or a small grapple and snap (no current!!!!!!). Once the dive is completed, snap the tether back to the BC/rig, remove the BC by sliding out with the regulator IN YOUR MOUTH until you are out of the BC and free!!!!!!!!! Using your fins to assist, enter the yak with a pull from your arms reaching across to the other side. Give a big scissor kick as you slither up. Flip around backwards, kneeling, pull the BC/rig into the tank well and secure, flip around and sit down, find paddle, away you go.
Sometimes rather than kneeling on your haunches, sit with your legs over the sides, with fins on even, to act as stabilizers. Depends on you and your boat.
I am NOT of a mind to put things like wetsuit tops on while at sea. If the top gets stuck with my arms up and head covered and I roll over, oh well, your results may vary but that kicks my claustrophobia into the red zone.
N