Undone Tank Band

[BuoyantC]

I agree with the wetting tank straps - especially on NEW straps. However I've never seen as many tanks come loose as I have on newer SeaQuest BCs. They must have a really stretchy material they use. Anyone else notice this? I tried to bring this to a reps. attention, and he argued with me that it NEVER happens! Geez!

D.C.C.

 

[jagfish]

However I've never seen as many tanks come loose as I have on newer SeaQuest BCs. They must have a really stretchy material they use. Anyone else notice this? I tried to bring this to a reps. attention, and he argued with me that it NEVER happens! Geez!

D.C.C.

Have to agree with you about the Seaqust straps...

JAG

 

[michaelp68]

Here are some suggestions that may help folks out.

When the BC is new, wet the strap VERY WELL - SOAK IT! - Then make the adjustments necessary to obtain a secure fit (while the strap is still wet). Once that is complete, let the BC dry. The next time you use it, it will always fit and you tank won't slip. You only have to do this once, when the BC is new. You shouldn't have to keep doing this unless you are changing tank sizes or unthreading the web strap every time you remove the tank.

To get someone's tank back in to place, get behind the diver with the loose tank. Resting the butt of the cylinder on the top of your thigh, grab the top edge of the strap and pull it down over the cylinder. The only thing encountering resistance is the tank (it's resting on your thigh). The diver, BC and everything else will move downward when you pull on the strap. This will slide the strap into position quickly and with a minimum amount of fuss. This maneuver can be done in mid-water or on the bottom.

When taking off a weight integrated BC, the trick is not to loose control of the BC. Take it off like you would a jacket, but keep a secure grip on it. Spin it around so that the tank is facing you and wrap your legs around it. Make any necessary adjustments you desire to make. With the tank still facing you, reach over the top and run your hands through the arm-holes. Lift the entire assembly over your head in a fluid motion. The water will buoy the tank, making it less heavy. The weight of the tank over your head will keep you in position. As the cylinder moves towards your back, simply guide it in position, keeping your arms as straight as possible. The tank should settle perfectly against your back without you being in danger of floating away from your equipment. The key to the entire maneuver is to simply maintain positive contact with the BC/Tank assembly.

Hope this helps.

That was helpful. Thank you.

 

[O2BBubbleFree]

My BC has a rubber pad on one strap. While it doesn't eliminate the need to soak the straps first, it does help a lot.

First of all the rubber grips the tank better than a nylon strap, and secondly when you cinch down the strap it compresses the rubber somewhat. Seems to me if the strap stretches slightly, then the rubber would expand slightly to make up for it.

It's just a simple pad that threads onto the strap. I think all tank straps should have one.

Oh, and I think all BCs/BP/Ws should have two straps.

If I were in charge...

 

[xSandman3]

The wife and I both have Seaquest bcs. When they were new, I just got them really wet and strapped a tank to them and let them dry...never had either slip. Now I can just get them a little wet, even a spray bottle, and they work great. I learned all of this from my ow instructor...the more I read stuff on this board, the more I question the training some people have received.

 

[Sean C]

My wife and I dive Seaquest bc's and initially had some issues with the tank straps. I approached my LDS and the lead intructor gave us this tip. When mounting the tank, use a wetted strap, and continue to apply pressure to the strap while ratcheting the strap tighter with the buckle assembly. It looks like you are opening and closing the strap repeatedly (but not all the way). Once you have repeated this ratcheting procedure while exerting some pressure on the strap, fully close the buckle/cam and then stick the velcro to the band. It helped alot and the tank is very secure. Once we did this a few times and the strap got worked in a bit, it was not necessary to continue doing this. Hope this helps. Note: that was the first time anyone ever showed us how to use the cam to ratchet our tanks tighter.

Sean

 

[cool_hardware52]

Hi Folks,

Seems the eternal problem, the loose tank strap.

Much good info here already.

Here's my take. It actually requires very little tension to retain the tank, but the tension must be greater than zero. Tanks get smaller when the pressure drops, and straps due get longer when wet as nylon absorbs water.

The real problem is that there is no "spring" in the system. The typical tank strap webbing is good for many 1000's of lbs, a human with a 3 inch long buckle is not going to stretch the webbing much.

What our "Cam Strap Tension Pad" does is provide the missing spring.http://www.deepseasupply.com/page11.html

Our pad works by creating a "point load" . Previous attempts at strap covers or pads have been long, thin, often hard plastic or rubber pads that offered no thickness to be "squeezed".

Our pads do three things: Maintain tension on the strap, limit the total load on the buckle preventing breakage and greatly reduces the closing force required.

I know it's hard to believe but they do work great.

I'm willing to mail out a pair, free of charge, to the first 10 people to PM me with a name and ship to address.


Regards,



Tobin George

 

[Gary D.]

My wife and I dive Seaquest bc's and initially had some issues with the tank straps. I approached my LDS and the lead intructor gave us this tip. When mounting the tank, use a wetted strap, and continue to apply pressure to the strap while ratcheting the strap tighter with the buckle assembly. It looks like you are opening and closing the strap repeatedly (but not all the way). Once you have repeated this ratcheting procedure while exerting some pressure on the strap, fully close the buckle/cam and then stick the velcro to the band. It helped alot and the tank is very secure. Once we did this a few times and the strap got worked in a bit, it was not necessary to continue doing this. Hope this helps. Note: that was the first time anyone ever showed us how to use the cam to ratchet our tanks tighter.

Sean

They should have showed you how to do that in class. I'm sure a lot of classes have either over looked or not explained that small step well enough.

Very important step if you want it tightly secured.

Thanks for the refresher.

Gary D.

 

[voop]

Have to agree with you about the Seaqust straps...

JAG

Hmm, interresting. I acquired a new SeaQuest BC about a year ago, and I have never had any problem with the straps gliding/stretching whatsoever. Which models are you guys suffering with?

 

[deadfish]

Hmm, interresting. I acquired a new SeaQuest BC about a year ago, and I have never had any problem with the straps gliding/stretching whatsoever. Which models are you guys suffering with?

One thing I learned from a DM with the SeaQuest BCs ...before you attach your reg, stretch the BC handle over the tank valve. Once the reg is attached, even if the strap comes loose the tank can't go very far. Of course, follow all earlier instructions to get the strap tight and not have the problem in the first place but this makes for a good failsafe.