Transpac II Problems - Tank Banging Head

[Mandy3206]

That's the reason I don't use the TPII unless I'm traveling, I got sick of hitting my head with the first stage.

With my BP and STA I have the extra clearance and my head can't hit the first stage even if I try to.

Some people complain about stability problems when you move the tank away from your back, but I don't have any problems with this, and hitting my head is a thing of the past.

My brother had the same problem with the TPII and never solved it, that's why I got it after he retired from diving.

For travel, I like the convenience and ease of packing that the TPII offers and just use it paying attention not to tilt my head back to much to avoid hitting the first stage.

Rick Murchison gave very sound advise, that may be the key to solve your issue.
If it works for you, it may work for me too.

Good luck and hope you solve your problem.

 

[diver_paula]

Have you tried turning your first stage upside down? I've been doing that since I started diving - with an AL80 and a BC so I'm not sure if that's why I don't have the problem described with my ST98 and TPII. However given I have a very short torso, I figure I'll always have to flip the first stage upside down when attaching it to the tank.

Paula

 

[SteveFass]

Gar - re your last comment - why are you averse to a crotch strap? Have you tried it? I have a TPII, dive w/AL80s, and think the crotch strap is the best thing since sliced bread. It takes a sec to connect, you don't feel it when it is on, and it keeps the bottom of the tank close to your body. And it cost only a few bucks.

 

[archman]

Gar - re your last comment - why are you averse to a crotch strap? Have you tried it? I have a TPII, dive w/AL80s, and think the crotch strap is the best thing since sliced bread. It takes a sec to connect, you don't feel it when it is on, and it keeps the bottom of the tank close to your body. And it cost only a few bucks.

I've been told that the crotch strap is inadvisable unless you're wearing a wetsuit or drysuit (for padding). Now if that's all bull and I can get by just fine in boardshorts, I'm all for trying the crotchstrap out. I still have mine around... somewhere.

 

[SteveFass]

Just shorts? Well, er, um...I guess I'd try it. If you have the type of strap that has a buckle, you can undo the buckle with one hand at any point in the dive, so there's no harm in trying. With the strap unbuckled it would just look like you have a black tail, but there's no harm in that. I've done it when I forgot to buckle the strap.

 

[WarmWaterDiver]

If abrasion / chafing while not wearing a wetsuit is a concern, why not put the wetsuit on the crotch strap - seriously, wrap it in neoprene, or something similar to those add-on thingies for chest straps for the bp/w crowd.

Okay, I'm going back into the box now . . . it's suppertime anyway.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

I have not had a problem with a crotch strap on the few warm water ocassions a year when I dive with only shorts on. You still won't know it is there, unless maybe the harness is loose and you are fully inflated on the surface

 

[WarmWaterDiver]

That may differ from person to person. Personally, I wouldn't use my DR crotch strap with my TP II without wearing at least a 2 mm wetsuit.

For the tank banging head thing, a few years ago there was a guy selling these little padded neoprene wraparound doodads on eBay for putting around your regulator. I bought a few and think they're great when I'm diving with tanks that don't take my DIN Scubapro first stages without me screwing on my DIN to yoke converter. I've never seen them for sale again. They were really cheap - a few bucks each - I bought 5 and gave several away to other folks I met diving having the same problem.

 

[halocline]

Really, truly, if you just turn the tank around so the reg barrel is on the far side, you won't hit your head....promise. And, probably, your primary hose will fit better, as they're undoubtedly sized considering a typical jacket BC with the tank further away from your back.

The crotch strap is a good idea regardless. If it's err...noticable..against the boys down there, it's too tight unless you're on the surface inflated. But this does point to a couple of possibilities. How about a combination crotch strap/athletic supporter/speedo? Or, think of those long floats waiting for the boat as a chance to practice your falsetto...

 

[mac_diver]

I had the same problem when I was using a rental travel wing. As others have suggested, I solved it by moving the cam band as high as possible and lengthening the shoulder staps and having the waist band lower on my hips. This moved the reg to the crook of my neck. For some reason, this was never a problem with my rec wings. Don't know what the difference would be between the wings and where the tank sits.