Using two steel backplates on one harness

[justinthedeeps]

The stacked plate idea sounds clever

In Seattle people forge and affix flat lead pucks to their steel plates in various spots with much success. Just include a thin corrosion barrier in between

If you ever imagine dismounting your rig underwater, might want to keep wearing some weight belt or harness on the body.

Practiced that recently to un-don the gear and feather a very leaky valve stem on a single tank dive in the tropics. A 4 kg weight belt kept the drysuit relatively neutral--but only in polypro liners Felt so nice it might continue #NoMount

 

[Scared Silly]

V weight for doubles, or a P weight for singles. More versatile.

 

[PfcAJ]

No bueno for single tank...

Halcyon makes a weighted STA that’s pretty slick.

 

[missionmtb]

I used to use 4 backplates with my MEG since I was often in situations where ditchable weights wouldn't help anyway and pockets interfered with sidemount cylinders. The DGX SS plates are cheap (~$80?) and do the job but you need to make sure 1. your carriage bolts are long enough (assuming you're 11" centers w/ a rebi/doubles/STA) and 2. you have stout nuts (I had REDS SST ones).

Obviously since this solution is not at all ditch-ey, you need to be dern sure you're not putting yourself in a dangerous buoyancy situation by A. always having redundant, adequate buoyancy B. taking care to be as neutral as possible given your gas swing etc.

Please do read about the Healy incident involving excessive, non-ditcheable weight (among other errors). Using multiple plates can easily get you into this situation.

CG report: Healy officer's carelessness killed her, fellow diver

CG report: Healy officer's carelessness killed her, fellow diver

www.militarytimes.com

 

[kensuf]

The Halcyon weighted STA is a good way to go. The Fathom plate is also.

 

[Diver-Drex]

No bueno for single tank..

They would work on my plate between me and the back plate. I’ll admit I have never done it, nearly all of my drysuit diving is with doubles and I don’t carry extra weight. I only need 10 pounds even ice diving with a single tank and a slung Al40.
Halcyon makes one, may only work on their BP. I think XS makes a pouch with 11” spaced holes that you can fill with shot. There are options.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

I’d figure out a way to bolt them together so it’s solid, then run your straps through. Holding them together with just straps seems a little “movey” to me, things would kind of move around too much.

 

[Tigerpaw]

I’d figure out a way to bolt them together so it’s solid, then run your straps through. Holding them together with just straps seems a little “movey” to me, things would kind of move around too much.

Great point! I may use screws and nuts.

 

[Subcooled]

instead of buying one 6 pound backplate, why not buy two and use the harness to keep them together.

In Europe we have this 10½ pound steel back plate.

Heser Backplate Long

Heser Backplate Long

www.deepstop.de

This way I would only need to add 10 pounds of weight instead of 16 pounds. (My weight pockets were stuffed) Or is there a heavier steel backplate on the market?

See above. You could also carry a 300 bar (~300 atm) steel tank. That would help you a lot.

 

[rhwestfall]

They would work on my plate between me and the back plate. I’ll admit I have never done it, nearly all of my drysuit diving is with doubles and I don’t carry extra weight. I only need 10 pounds even ice diving with a single tank and a slung Al40.
Halcyon makes one, may only work on their BP. I think XS makes a pouch with 11” spaced holes that you can fill with shot. There are options.

How does one thread cam bands through the channel when the weight is in there?