Tricks on getting in/out of HOG harness

[The Chairman]

Guys are stubborn,no? Especially instructors.

Sez you! Like all generalizations, this is wrong just about as often as it is right. I am very flexible with new concepts and criticisms. Even from students.

 

[Jack Hammer]

WhiteSands - It sounds like your harness is too tight now. Try somewhere between where it is now and how you had it prior to the adjustment. Your shoulder straps should be loose enough for you to easily move both arms and shoulders while fully kitted up and be able to reach back to your valves. I see a lot of people with their shoulder straps much too tight. When properly adjusted you will feel the straps as you get in or out of the rig but should not get stuck (barring abnormal body size/shape) As many have mentioned, make sure your crotch strap is properly adjusted and be sure your belt is tight. these will make a bigger difference in stability than the shoulder straps. I always recheck my belt after descending a few feet, until I was used to how tight to pull it out of water many times I found it loose when at depth which made my rig slide side to side a tad.

 

[WhiteSands]

I keep mine pretty loose. I can easily put a fist between the shoulder strap and my shoulder.
I have plates/harnesses for wet suit and dry suit; both are set up with that same looseness.

Most people that I've seen, have them too tight.

Disclaimer: I don't know if I would take advice from a guy on the internet, called pullmyfinger.

Cheers,
Mitch

I did this for my initial setup following the description on DGX's website but it was too loose. When you are horizontal in the water and your arms are not straight ahead, e.g. when trying to clip/unclip stuff on D rings on various parts of your harness, the straps are really loose and flopping all over the place.

It was hard to clip stuff off on the shoulder D rings because of this.

---------- Post added December 12th, 2013 at 09:25 AM ----------

I think you may have gone a bit too far in the other direction -- remember that, with a single tank setup, you can HAVE the shoulder straps fairly long, so long as the crotch strap is snug enough. It's only with doubles, where the relationship of the tanks to the plate is set, that the placement of the plate on your back becomes more critical.

I'd try loosening the shoulder straps just a little -- maybe an inch -- and making sure the crotch strap is snug. Turn your gauges to the inside of your wrist, or put them on after you get into the gear. Getting a little below the gear (setting it on something a bit higher) also helps.

How do I determine the correct tightness of my crotch strap?

 

[MaxBottomtime]

How do I determine the correct tightness of my crotch strap?

 

[The Chairman]

That's way, way too loose for me. As you tighten your belt it should be pulling up on the crotch strap which pulls the BP tight against your shoulders. Everyone does it a bit differently, and you need to find out what's right for you. I like the belt to dip an inch or so down in a shallow V when everything is tightened up.

 

[Nemrod]

I'm wondering what tricks/tips the old timers use in donning/doffing a Hogarithian single piece webbing harness before the invention of the Cinch or similar devices.

Thank you!

Yeah, I live the shoulder straps very loose. I cinch the waist strap down snug. I also leave the crotch strap rather loose. I have separated shoulders on both shoulders. I do not care what some agency thinks, I set my equipment to work for me.

I also prefer the plate a little lower on my back than what I see commonly on divers with the plate hiked so far up the back people bang their heads on the regs.

N

 

[WhiteSands]

It does sound like it might be a bit too tight. I get one shoulder in and hold the bottom of the tank up with that hand. Then the other arm goes in elbow first aka "chicken wing". I have pretty flexible shoulders so have never have any trouble but it is something that you can practice at home and it will become as simple as putting on a shirt. It is easier without stuff on your arms to get caught up, especially in a drysuit.

You can also pick it up from behind with your arms through the straps and lift it over your head, lowering it into position by the tank. Don't try that on a crowded dive boat

I don't quite understand the part about holding the bottom of the tank up. Are you gearing up in the water?
Could you elaborate please, thanks.

---------- Post added December 12th, 2013 at 11:08 AM ----------

Thanks. I saw this on the site, but there was no description so I'm not really sure what it's demonstrating. Is it supposed to be 2 finger widths above the top of the waist strap?

 

[MaxBottomtime]

That's Clinton Bauder in the photos. I think he is demonstrating that it can be lifted easily with two fingers. I have mine slightly tighter than that, but my shoulder straps are similar to his. It looks loose, but once you have all your gear on it is amazingly stable compared to a jacket style BC.

 

[TSandM]

My crotch strap is tighter than that -- it pulls the waist strap down a little bit when it's done up.

 

[fbk]

I don't quite understand the part about holding the bottom of the tank up. Are you gearing up in the water?

No, gearing up on a boat or land... put left strap over the left shoulder and with left hand on bottom of tank hold it in place in the middle of your back instead of sliding off. Then put right arm through the strap on the other side, elbow first works well if you can't get your right hand around and under.