Other RECREATIONAL Gear Configurations

[rx7diver]

I really enjoy reading and learning about people's gear configurations. Often divers dive configurations subtly to extremely different from the configurations of others, and I've always enjoyed listening to an explanation of why someone configures his/her particular way.

I would like to read more posts about people's RECREATIONAL gear configurations.

For example, someone might write that he/she dives essentially a single-tank Hogarthian configuration (you know what I mean, I'm sure), except that he/she routes his SPG over his left shoulder, because blah, blah, blah.

Someone else might "Like" this post.

Still, someone else might post he does likewise but for different reasons.

Et cetera.

Anyone else interested in such a thread? (I haven't seen a recent SB thread like this.) Could we even have such a thread and maintain civility? (So posts such as, "That is the stupidest ..." would be prohibited.)

PLEASE: NO DISCUSSIONS OF TECHNICAL GEAR CONFIGURATIONS!

What do you think?

Safe Diving,

rx7diver

 

[tomfcrist]

Zeagle ranger Bcd, first stage inverted on my legend for head clearance, standard 2 second stages with octo secured to lower chest dring(hose tucked for streamlining). Drysuit hose routed over the shoulder with inflator hose. SPG on a 20" hose clipped to left hip dring.

 

[Nwcid]

Well we dive basically DIR style but are not tec in any way, does that count? The primary difference for us is that we keep sheers vs a stubby knife on the waist belt and we have small knives hooked to the inflator hose.

Why do we dive like that, it just make sense. I am a big fan of KISS.

 

[Deviance]

Up until recently when I got my Sidemount Cert, my setup is essentially the type of setup found in the PADI Open Water manual.

For my future Sidemount setup, I will be buying the X-Deep Stealth 2.0. I will be diving single tank sidemount, thus both the 7ft hose (primary) and the 22" hose (secondary) will be on the same 1st stage. The pressure gauge will be a mini-gauge mounted directly onto the 1st stage. I chose a 7ft hose because that is what my sidemount instructor recommended and it makes sense. I chose 22" hose because that it came with the 1st and 2nd stage and it is long enough for me. I chose the mini gauge because I couldn't afford a $50 pressure gauge + $15 for a 6" hose + $0.75 for the swivel.

The 7ft hose will be routed around my neck and fed from the right. The 22" will be attached to a necklace and fed from the right as well.

The compass will be wrist mounted and my computer will serve as my depth gauge.

 

[Michael Guerrero]

I hook my spg under my arm and clipped to my left chest D-ring instead of my left hip D-ring because I think it's faster/easier to check my gas level.

 

[rx7diver]

... Drysuit hose routed over the shoulder with inflator hose.

(My bolding)

First response, and I learn something new! Thanks! I don't think I've ever seen this done.

Any particular reason why over the shoulder rather than under the armpit?

rx7diver

---------- Post added December 17th, 2013 at 11:37 PM ----------

Well we dive basically DIR style but are not tec in any way, does that count?

(My bolding.)

Absolutely! Thanks.

 

[DaleC]

Hawaiian pack with a J valved USD Mistral.
This is the most basic, easy to use rig I have. Slip on, slip off, no hoses (other than reg). The all brass frame is a little heavy for no BC diving though.


J valved twin 40's with a USD DAAM.
Again, simple, no BC, low profile fun. Different but really just an Al 80 in a funny shape.


Inverted 72.
An experiment. Worked well. Easy to reach valve. Standard hoses + my 5' longhose. The 72 was a bit long but a short HP 80 would be perfect.


ABS backplate with a direct to valve SPG, USD Mstral and Horse Collar BC.
Wanna Backplate that costs $5 and works? Tank $100, Mistral $100, BC $20, Mask knife and fins $25. I'm diving charter compliant for $250. If I need a LP whip I can swap out my Mistral for a DAAM which has a hookah/LP port.


USD converted Army Rucksack frame with cotton webbing.
I bought the frame, a weight belt and old tank for $10. I replaced the webbing and use a different tank but am basically diving it as it was sold in the 1960's.


2013 homemade model.
I found another frame and decided to scrimp on webbing by using an old mooring rope. Dives well and a real conversation starter.


Simple Camband and webbing harness.
Another experiment on how minimal I could go. It worked but was a bit floppy. Not a favorite after all.


Travel bands for ID 80's (also 72's).
My go to rig for deeper solo dives. Bolts onto a BP/W and allows me to swap out the right tank for a second dive.


BP/W Single Hogarthian, SPG routed down inflator.
Could not resist the Kool aid but held out with my own twist on the SPG. Easy for me and my partner to read without unclipping. My Lift bag is bungeed to the right side of my BP and clipped off on my right hip D ring where it can be deployed by pulling down.


My Youtube channel has plenty of videos of me diving these rigs.
http://www.youtube.com/user/coldwatervintage

 

[dumpsterDiver]

For most of my BC's and some of my BP/W's I use a rubber waist belt. Some I make from truck inner tube, others from a freediver's rubber belt, but the elasticity makes it more comfortable. Definitely remove the cummerbund and clip from the waist of my BC's.

I permamanently attach a bolt snap to my SPG hose with stainless safety wire and then I use it to clip to the BC on my side or on a hip d-Ring for the BP/W.

I run a loop of 1,400 lb monofilament line down across my lower back extending below the backpack. This is a rigid piece of line that allows one-handed clip off of a SMB, yet I think I could cut through it if I got tangled up. I won't use a piece of metal for this application.

I use a rubber weight belt.

I generally have a home made knife sheath on my waist strap with a small knife in it. Very similar to the DIR recommendation, BUT I add a bungi to retain it... I think they think it is unnecessary, but I want it secure. This is a back up knife, my primary knife is on my thigh, which is constructed of melted PVC pipe and affixed to my leg with strips of truck inner tube and one fastex buckle.

For my BP/W I tie a small loop of heavy bungi material to the central rear hole on the plate. The loop has a circumference of 5 inches. I use this as the attachment point for a crotch strap (when I use one). The elasticity of this loop makes the crotch strap more comfortable and it is very strong.

I generally do not use zip ties for mouth piece attachment; I use stainless steel safety wire twisted. Sometimes I put a zip tie over for redundancy.

I wrap the end of my snorkel in bright yellow electrical tape to enhance visibility.

I dive with a hand held marine radio in a canister which is placed in the BC weight pocket or in a custom made vinyl holster which fits on the waist strap of my BP/W harness.


My pony bottle mount is home made and better than any other method I have seen (for my use).

I have large bolt snaps on both sides of my waist strap which are used to clip off gear or catch bags etc.

Those are some of the customizations, I generally use. There are others as well.

 

[TSandM]

80% or more of the diving I do is single-tank recreational diving, done with a standard GUE equipment setup. On occasion, if diving wet in the tropics, I will clip my spool and SMB to my left hip d-ring rather than wear pockets. I do not use a snorkel on my mask, but sometimes carry a rolled-up snorkel in my pocket. Wet notes and the SMB and spool go with me on virtually every dive. The system is so simple and works so well, I've never felt a great desire to change any of it.

 

[fbk]

I hook my spg under my arm and clipped to my left chest D-ring instead of my left hip D-ring because I think it's faster/easier to check my gas level.

Same.. I also run my primary 2nd stage under my right arm on a 40" hose then a 90° elbow. Backup is on a short hose & bungee. I really like having hoses under arms where they don't get caught up under ledges etc. And having once been stuck in a hole with mask and reg ripped out by surge and unable to locate my backup (it was also ripped off my BC flapping away behind me somewhere) I will never dive without a bungeed backup again.