The art of being trim and streamlined???

[TerryTat]

I am looking for advice on attaching my Light Cannon, and point and shoot digital camera to my bc. I want to be streamlined, however when I try to attach them to my bc when I dont need them, they hang off of me at least 6 inches. I have them attached where I can unclip them and they are still hooked to me with an old telephone like chord that allows me to use them freely. (Bought at the local dive store, however I dont know the technical name) When I'm done, I just re-clip them. They stil drag though. I hate to ask what may be a silly question to some, however I'm just trying to fine tune my skills. I have 48 dives and counting. Also my SPG is attached with a retractable clip on my left side. It still seems to catch the sand at times though. HELP!!!!

Thanks, Terry

 

[voop]

Great to see you working on trim and streamlining.

For camera: it's bound to be bulky. If I dive with one, I wear it on a medium lanyard around my right hand (to allow flexibility and prevent accidential dropping) -- but hold it in my right hand tight to my belly when moving under water.

SPG: for me, it goes clipped with a breakaway clip to my left hip D-ring. No drag, no bulk.

I'd suggest staying away from retractors -- they tend to loose tension and encourage dangeling, and last only a short time due to accumulation of dirt, salt etc.

Keep up the good work!

 

[kman458]

use donuts of bike inner tube to hold the light to the bcd so that it does not drag. i attach my computer to a ring on the right shoulder that is low enough so all i have to do is glance down to look at it.

 

[OE2X]

Try using stainless steel bolt snaps either zip tied or tied off with nylon string (see cave line) then clip them off to your D rings. This should keep things closer to your body.

 

[tedwhiteva]

I am looking for advice on attaching my Light Cannon, and point and shoot digital camera to my bc.
Thanks, Terry

For the poing and shoot camera, try a thigh pocket. DiveRite makes one that can be velcro'ed to your thigh so you don't have to glue/stich it on permanently. I have found it really useful for my camera, spare mask when DMing, etc.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

A large pistol grip type light like a UK Light Cannon is pretty hard to stow in a streamlined fashion. It's also a lot of light to bring along unless you need it. The best streamlining solution may be to leave it on the boat unless you need it on a particular dive. (really deep, night, etc)

For a general day light or backup light I prefer to use a 3 C cell light such as a Pelican Saberlight, UK 300, etc. Remove the clip and attach a bolt snap to the end, then clip it to a shoulder D-ring. You can then secure the head of the light under a piece of innertube, bungee or surgical tube along the shoulder stap. This keeps it tucked in close to your body and most of the time you do not even need to unclip the light to use it to peek into holes, etc.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

I am looking for advice on attaching my Light Cannon, and point and shoot digital camera to my bc. I want to be streamlined, however when I try to attach them to my bc when I dont need them, they hang off of me at least 6 inches. I have them attached where I can unclip them and they are still hooked to me with an old telephone like chord that allows me to use them freely. (Bought at the local dive store, however I dont know the technical name) When I'm done, I just re-clip them. They stil drag though. I hate to ask what may be a silly question to some, however I'm just trying to fine tune my skills. I have 48 dives and counting. Also my SPG is attached with a retractable clip on my left side. It still seems to catch the sand at times though. HELP!!!!

Thanks, Terry

Sounds like you're using a coiled lanyard (the telephone cord) ... for the light you only need two more items ... a split ring and a medium-size bolt snap. Attach the split-ring to the light handle (in the usual attachment point). Attach both the bolt snap and the coiled lanyard to the split ring. When not using the light, clip the bolt-snap into a D-ring on the BCD to hold the light in close to your body. When using the light, unclip the bolt-snap and rely on the coiled lanyard to keep the light attached to your BCD in case you drop it.

Use a zip-tie or piece of sturdy string to attach another medium-size bolt-snap to your SPG. Clip it into a D-ring on your left side ... most people prefer the hip, but it depends on the BCD ... some people prefer to place it on one of the lower harness D-rings. With practice you can get used to unclipping and replacing the SPG when you want to look at it. At first it will seem awkward, but after several rehearsals it will become simple.

Can't help with the camera without seeing both the camera setup and the BCD ... too many variables.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[TerryTat]

Thank You all for your help. This website is so helpful!!
One question though.... What is a boltsnap?
Thanks again...
Terry

 

[melfox26]

I am looking for advice on attaching my Light Cannon, and point and shoot digital camera to my bc. I want to be streamlined, however when I try to attach them to my bc when I dont need them, they hang off of me at least 6 inches. I have them attached where I can unclip them and they are still hooked to me with an old telephone like chord that allows me to use them freely. (Bought at the local dive store, however I dont know the technical name) When I'm done, I just re-clip them. They stil drag though. I hate to ask what may be a silly question to some, however I'm just trying to fine tune my skills. I have 48 dives and counting. Also my SPG is attached with a retractable clip on my left side. It still seems to catch the sand at times though. HELP!!!!

Thanks, Terry

Is your HP hose that your SPG on "arching" out? If it's clipped properly to your left hip D-ring, with say a 24" HP hose, it should be nice and strealined.

As for the light cannon, I have the same light. I also used a coil lanyard, but played around with the attachment. Instead of wrapping the end piece around the light and threading it through, I attached a stainless steel ring to the light and threaded it through the lanyard. I also opted for the "lantern" style grip which doesn't make the light quite so tall, thus decreasing the amount that it hangs off you.

Mel

 

[MSilvia]

Here's a picture of a bolt snap:
http://bosunsupplies.com/images/176-0.jpg