I am about to pull the trigger on a DSS BP/W but can't decide between the Pro and single piece harness. I am a new diver and will only be doing warm water rec diving in the foreseeable future.Any opinions would be appreciated.Thanks. Gary
Pro Fit or Hog Harness
- Thread starter gtto
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Unless you have range of mobility issues I'd start with the hog setup. Cheaper, easier, more streamlined. You can always "upgrade" if needed later.
fnfalman
Contributor
The DSS Profit is very slimlined for a non-HOG harness. Unless you want to be an ubercool tech diver, there's no need to try to chickenwing your arms into a HOG harness. You're a rec diver in warm water, so do what's comfortable.
Slipping in and out of a HOG harness in a wetsuit is no problem, if you happen to cut the harness or it wears out etc...it is cheap to replace...either way, if you can try either one, it would help you make a better choice for what is right for you.
Safe dives.
Safe dives.
halocline
Contributor
I think the hog harness is more comfortable in the water, and once you learn the technique, it's easier to doff/don.
The one exception is removal in the water, i.e. during a rescue class drill where you are simultaneously giving rescue breaths and removing both the unconscious diver's and your own gear while towing. But, since A) removing your own gear is the lowest priority in that setting and B) you can easily cut the unconscious diver's harness if necessary, I don't think it's worth it to wear a quick release harness. I still passed those particular rescue scenarios with a hog harness, although if I were to teach it I'd use a standard BC.
In an actual rescue there are so many variables that I can't see any real-world advantage of wearing a quick release harness. There are plenty of imaginary ones, just wait!
The one exception is removal in the water, i.e. during a rescue class drill where you are simultaneously giving rescue breaths and removing both the unconscious diver's and your own gear while towing. But, since A) removing your own gear is the lowest priority in that setting and B) you can easily cut the unconscious diver's harness if necessary, I don't think it's worth it to wear a quick release harness. I still passed those particular rescue scenarios with a hog harness, although if I were to teach it I'd use a standard BC.
In an actual rescue there are so many variables that I can't see any real-world advantage of wearing a quick release harness. There are plenty of imaginary ones, just wait!
NorthWoodsDiver
Contributor
I have had both types and found the hog with the exception of 2 extra D-rings to be my rig of choice.
The extra rings I added were a D-ring on the right hip to secure reels/spools to while on land so I dont sit on them and an extra shoulder D-ring on the left which is lower to secure the top clip on a stage/deco bottle while on land to make gearing up alone easier. once I am in the water I relocate the reels/spools to the butt ring and the stage clips get moved to the top D-ring. If I have a bunch of stuff to clip off its nice to have that extra waist D-ring to secure items like deco cylinders if I have to shuffle stuff around underwater also or take gear from someone else quickly.
The extra rings I added were a D-ring on the right hip to secure reels/spools to while on land so I dont sit on them and an extra shoulder D-ring on the left which is lower to secure the top clip on a stage/deco bottle while on land to make gearing up alone easier. once I am in the water I relocate the reels/spools to the butt ring and the stage clips get moved to the top D-ring. If I have a bunch of stuff to clip off its nice to have that extra waist D-ring to secure items like deco cylinders if I have to shuffle stuff around underwater also or take gear from someone else quickly.
rstofer
Contributor
I bought a couple of the DSS BP/Ws with the ProFit harness. I really LIKE the quick disconnect buckle. It doesn't turn out to be conveniently located but it's easier to get to the buckle that chickenwing out of a HOG harness.
As an experiment, I removed the ProFit harness and installed a HOG harness with a QR buckle (the kind where the buckle is captive and the web never separates; found the design on the Internet). I put the ProFit back on.
I have a couple of backpacks and another BP/W that have HOG harnesses and they're OK but I think I like the ProFit better.
The ProFit is considerably more expensive. If cost is a consideration, go for the HOG. If cost is not a consideration, get the ProFit and if you don't like it you can always get a cheap HOG harness and still have the ProFit for something else.
Richard
As an experiment, I removed the ProFit harness and installed a HOG harness with a QR buckle (the kind where the buckle is captive and the web never separates; found the design on the Internet). I put the ProFit back on.
I have a couple of backpacks and another BP/W that have HOG harnesses and they're OK but I think I like the ProFit better.
The ProFit is considerably more expensive. If cost is a consideration, go for the HOG. If cost is not a consideration, get the ProFit and if you don't like it you can always get a cheap HOG harness and still have the ProFit for something else.
Richard
Scott L
Contributor
I concur with the above post. Although I use a DSS/BP hog rig I think the pro-fit harness might be a good transitional step when moving from other styles. I dive in SE Florida and use multiple exposure suits during the year which is somewhat of a pain continualy adjusting the harness to match the new diminsions of my suits. Several times I grabbed my old DR Transpac to avoid the issue. For me it's still worth it for that feeling of being one with my BCD but for someone new to BP/wings the pro-fit might be a good call...
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My wife dive a DSS singles rig with the pro-fit harness and loves it. She wanted the ease of entry/exit so it was a no brainer for her to buy that way.
I will say that for the money you get a LOT of unique and very nice harness components mostly unique to DSS. If you decide latter to go hog you can refit it for the price of webbing and a buckle.
Pete
I will say that for the money you get a LOT of unique and very nice harness components mostly unique to DSS. If you decide latter to go hog you can refit it for the price of webbing and a buckle.
Pete
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