Stretching BC Strap

[WinDuck]

Just got new BC, after returning my BC with a faulty stitching to my LDS. I have an idea that I want feedback on. The new BC's tank strap seems to always stretch when new and putting on a tank, I have had it nearly fall out while in the pool. I am thinking if I dunk the BC first in the bathtub, and put on a tank and leave it in the tub for maybe 15 min. not on of course, maybe repeat this twice, retightening the strap on the bottle every 15 mins, that this may help the strap to actually stretch and not have my bottle falling off in the pool or in OW. What are your thoughts?

Thanks...

Dive ON

 

[pants!]

Nylon expands when it gets wet.

Are you wetting down the strap really well before you cinch the tank down?

 

[Marek K]

BC tank straps always stretch after they're wet. I think that's the single biggest cause of tanks dropping out.

Then they shrink again when they dry. So I don't think there's any permanent solution to the problem.

That's why the very first thing you should do before attaching your BC to your tank is, dunk the BC in water for a second or two -- or even just the strap. That's long enough to wet the strap enough.

Then make sure you snug the strap as tight as possible before closing the cam buckle. It's much easier to tighten the straps if you first un-thread the end of the strap from the last slot in the buckle. And don't forget to re-thread it when you're closing the buckle, before velcro-ing the end of the strap down; that helps keep the cam buckle closed.

Finally, pick up the BC/tank assembly by the BC, and make sure the tank isn't shifting down under the strap.

But if you don't wet the strap first, you're going to have drop-outs for sure. Very embarrassing.

--Marek

 

[Moogyboy]

I always try to dunk my BC in the water and thoroughly soak it before strapping my tank on. My tank has only come loose once, but I don't remember whether it was after I started doing this. In any case it works well; I'd suggest making it part of your pre-dive routine.

(I'm glad that tanks are generally neutral or negative during dives; nevertheless I cringe to imagine one escaping unseen by me, taking the reg along with it. Pop! Blub! Gag!)

cheers

Billy S.

Just got new BC, after returning my BC with a faulty stitching to my LDS. I have an idea that I want feedback on. The new BC's tank strap seems to always stretch when new and putting on a tank, I have had it nearly fall out while in the pool. I am thinking if I dunk the BC first in the bathtub, and put on a tank and leave it in the tub for maybe 15 min. not on of course, maybe repeat this twice, retightening the strap on the bottle every 15 mins, that this may help the strap to actually stretch and not have my bottle falling off in the pool or in OW. What are your thoughts?

Thanks...

Dive ON

 

[Moogyboy]

Looks like you beat me to the punch this time. Great timing there Marek!

cheers

Billy S.

 

[Marek K]

(I'm glad that tanks are generally neutral or negative during dives; nevertheless I cringe to imagine one escaping unseen by me, taking the reg along with it. Pop! Blub! Gag!)

That's why almost all BC's these days have the safety strap that loops over the valve and under the first stage. Probably makes underwater drop-outs a lot safer, though probably not much less embarrassing!

--Marek

 

[RICHinNC]

Another good reason for buying a bcd (or bp and wing) with double cam straps.

 

[pants!]

Two loose straps is marginally better than one loose strap. I've seen several tanks fall out of double cam bands underwater

 

[spectrum]

That's why almost all BC's these days have the safety strap that loops over the valve and under the first stage. Probably makes underwater drop-outs a lot safer, though probably not much less embarrassing!

--Marek

That's the best explanation of that strap yet. I keep seeing them advertised as for setting tank height, that seemed pretty lame.

I wet it when I can then I lay my knee into the cylinder and cinch it with the last slot unthreaded then thread the last slot and bring it around with a good cam action snap. No snap, try again.

Having Pressed Steel hot dipped cylinders probably helps compared to some high gloss candy apple finish.

Pete

 

[Marek K]

I keep seeing [those straps] advertised as for setting tank height, that seemed pretty lame.

Really?? Yeah, pretty lame... who advertises them like that?

I suppose the strap could be used to help set the tank's height; I never thought of that. But I always understood its real purpose was to prevent tank drop-outs.

Good point about the cam buckle's "snap," making sure it's tight enough.

--Marek