Pros and Cons of Rigid D-Ring on Hip?

[Gombessa]

Agree, that practice makes perfect but there are proven ways to hold a golf club, index a firearm magazine, tie a shoe lace, etc.

I think, if you looked around, your mind would be boggled by the number of ways there are to quickly tie your shoelaces (most of which are much faster than what we were typically taught as kids), including no-hands, no-touch methods:



Just goes to show, not everything is immediately obvious, or as it appears on first glance

 

[Captain12Pk]

Thanks. I have seen and tried this but it does not work in the Winter (dry gloves) and with the bottle clips.

This is exactly the way I do it. And I wear dry gloves year round. Personally I wouldn't change to the rigid "D" ring. I would describe that as a "Gear solution to a skills problem". Give it time. Like most things at this level, it's gonna take some practice.

K

 

[rjack321]

FIXED

Agree, that practice makes perfect but there are proven ways to hold a golf club, index a firearm magazine, etc.

What is the simplest, most reliable way to clip and unclip a bottle with whatever snap is appropriate? As far as just the orientation of the snaps with respect to the ring is concerned I can come up with 4 permutations. Furthermore, there are probably half a dozen ways to open the gate and to manipulate the D ring into the snap.

Instead of practicing all possibilities to the point that I can assess which method is the most reliable, I would like to capitalize on the collective knowledge of those who have done this a couple MILLION times.

Photos would be great.

Once you've done it a million times you'll realize there's no perfect way. Its a dynamic situation.

IMHO...
When the bottle is empty the tail goes better on the forward (aka top) of the SPG - otherwise it smushes the SPG hose up towards the reg. When the bottle is heavier and full I prefer to clip it on "below" aka on the feet side of the D-ring. Once you have multiple bottles you start clipping them where they ride best relative to their neighbors and what you're doing with them (breathing, dropping, carrying) and so the tails aren't twisted.

You can't just take one trick (from the internet, not even in person instruction) and apply it to all bottles in all situations.

 

[Bubbletrubble]

I think, if you looked around, your mind would be boggled by the number of ways there are to quickly tie your shoelaces (most of which are much faster than what we were typically taught as kids), including no-hands, no-touch methods:



Just goes to show, not everything is immediately obvious, or as it appears on first glance

Kids are so gullible nowadays.

 

[Captain12Pk]

Really? You clip bottles off "below" you spg?

 

[Lobzilla]

This is exactly the way I do it. And I wear dry gloves year round. Personally I wouldn't change to the rigid "D" ring. I would describe that as a "Gear solution to a skills problem". Give it time. Like most things at this level, it's gonna take some practice.

K

Are we still talking about sticking the pinky through the ring of the bolt snap as Henrik suggested? Maybe I need smaller fingers or bigger snaps then. Anyway, the SPG is not the problem for me anyway; it is clipping and unclipping a bottle gracefully. That can drive me nuts, especially on the dry while sweating in the drysuit, grunting under the weight of the tanks...

 

[rjack321]

Really? You clip bottles off "below" you spg?

Me?

Yes, I put full ones which want to hang down "below" (if you are standing up) or towards my feet (if horizontal) relative to the SPG. If they are empty I tend to put them "forward" (if horizontal) or "on top" if standing. Trying to be clear on where I put them, not that I stand around on land with bottles on much.

Leashes with heavy/full bottles I put "back" or below on the D-ring and then the leash rides over my butt cheek properly. If the bottles are floaty and empty I put the leash forward or on top relative to the SPG snap.

My SPG hose is the "correct" length but I find this arrangement keeps the various bottle clips from cramming into the SPG clip and making a confusing mess. I can deal with however they are clipped and sometimes "helpers" get them a bit off from my preferences. But when/if I clip them in or rotate them this is my 1st choice arrangement.

 

[Captain12Pk]

Are we still talking about sticking the pinky through the ring of the bolt snap as Henrik suggested? Maybe I need smaller fingers or bigger snaps then. Anyway, the SPG is not the problem for me anyway; it is clipping and unclipping a bottle gracefully. That can drive me nuts, especially on the dry.

Yes. That's how I do it. And in respect to clipping/unclipping, bottles are manipulated pretty much the same way.

 

[rjack321]

Are we still talking about sticking the pinky through the ring of the bolt snap as Henrik suggested? Maybe I need smaller fingers or bigger snaps then. Anyway, the SPG is not the problem for me anyway; it is clipping and unclipping a bottle gracefully. That can drive me nuts, especially on the dry while sweating in the drysuit, grunting under the weight of the tanks...

#1 What size bottle??
#2 Why are you clipping tanks on solo in the dry? On a boat get the DM or whatever to help.
#3 Right index finger through the ring then clip into the left chest. Then do the tail.

With <50 dives I think you might be a little ahead of yourself using stage bottles already tho.

 

[Scott L]

Is that snow on them thar mountains? :cold:

... Bob (Grateful Diver)