Right shoulder velcro straps on BC's (eg Knighthawk)

[diverdan214]

Hey All,
I have a Knighthawk BC which has two horizontal velcro straps at the top of the shoulder straps, I'm sure there are others that have the same this is just the one I'm familiar with. I understand the use of the lefthand one for strapping down your power inflator tube, but what about the right? Is that for stapping down your primary reg into a postion which it will be easier to recover, or is it for holding things. I realize its really for whatever I want but just wondered what would be the problems of having my primary stapped into it as I haven't seen anyone else with that setup

 

[jfoster33702]

I also have a knighthawk. I wondered what that could be used for as well, but I wouldn't use it for the primary reg...definately not if you have air2. It would just make that primary reg THAT much harder for someone to get to, if they are OOA..it's already shorter than an octo.

Jeff

 

[diverdan214]

Dont have an Air2. And um...its my primary I don't want them taking it if OOA?

 

[Web Monkey]

Hey All,
I have a Knighthawk BC which has two horizontal velcro straps at the top of the shoulder straps, I'm sure there are others that have the same this is just the one I'm familiar with. I understand the use of the lefthand one for strapping down your power inflator tube, but what about the right? Is that for stapping down your primary reg into a postion which it will be easier to recover, or is it for holding things. I realize its really for whatever I want but just wondered what would be the problems of having my primary stapped into it as I haven't seen anyone else with that setup

I used mine for a knife for a little while, but being velcro, it's not appropriate for holding anything you might actually really need.

My best guess would be that it's there as a design element to make the other one look balanced.

Terry

 

[PerroneFord]

Dont have an Air2. And um...its my primary I don't want them taking it if OOA?

Some people plan on (and some agencies teach) that you donate your primary in an OOA. It's faster, and will likely be the reg someone OOA will be looking to get to anyway.

I've been working with a NAUI instructor the past week in an OW class who uses a longer primary, and a backup reg around the neck. Same config I use, but I had never seen it used for OW before.

 

[Web Monkey]

Dont have an Air2. And um...its my primary I don't want them taking it if OOA?

You should practice finding and switching to your octo (edit:should have said Air-2), since an OOA diver will tend to grab the known-working, fixed-location reg, which will be the one you're breathing on, and generally won't have the presence of mind or the available time to start doing sign-language explaining that they're "out of air and would like to share air and could they please use your alternate when you find it"

I'm not saying that calm polite air-sharing doesn't happen, only that there's a good chance that it won't, and you want to be ready.

Terry

 

[ronbeau]

Don't have an Air2. And um...its my primary I don't want them taking it if OOA?

The reason he said they would get the primary in an OOA if you had an Air2 is because the Air2 is too short for an OOA so you would use the Air2 and donate your primary second stage to the OOA diver.

The Velcro strap on the right side of the Knighthawk can be used so that your primary does not get that far away from you since you can simply reach up to the Velcro strap and follow the hose down instead of having to do a sweep to find it.

 

[diverdan214]

I realize why he said Air2 would be an issue, however I don't have one. Wasn't trying to be snarky.

The Velcro strap on the right side of the Knighthawk can be used so that your primary does not get that far away from you since you can simply reach up to the Velcro strap and follow the hose down instead of having to do a sweep to find it.

That's what I figured the strap was for but wondered if anyone can come up with reasons not to (and appreciate those who have put forth some reasons, even if I don't agree or thing they apply). I can understand if I was instructing and needed to show retrieval methods or if I have Air2. As for people taking it in OOA, I understand the point and concern, however if they're that determined to take my primary I can't see a velcro strap stopping them. And personally I'd like to do as little as possible to encourage them to take the short hose primary rather than the florescent second with longer hose. Also I understand in a DIR setup this doesn't work, but obviously if I'm asking I'm not using that set up.

So any other reasons not to? Or alternate uses for the strap?

 

[Pickled]

The only use I have ever found for the right shoulder velcro is to strap in mask and gloves while on a boat. Would never strap in a regulator hose though.

 

[D_B]

Tried the hose through it ... no way, restricts movement, and reg pulls on my mouth too much