Weightbelt/harness/buckle/pocket questions

[headhunter]

I've just ordered the DIR Funamentals book from the GUE website and expect I'll have it soon. I plan to follow that reading up with a DIR-F class.

I just picked up the last piece my LDS was waiting for so I could initially put together my backplate and wing.

That said, I've got a few questions about setting up my backplate and wing (which I'm going to start doing like a kid opening up his Christmas presents after I hit the "Submit" button on this post).

Many years ago, I was taught that my weightbelt should be released with my right hand and that my backpack should be released with my left hand. The purpose of this was so that someone didn't pull the wrong buckle by mistake.

So...

1) What is the DIR recommendation for the placement/direction of the release buckles for the harness/weightbelt?

2) What is the DIR consensus about using "weight pockets" attached to the harness instead of a separate "weight belt" and if they are allowed is there any reason that some may be better than others?

3) What sized pockets are acceptable on the right and left side of the waistbelt on the harness for primary and secondary gear and if any of you have pockets like these that you particularly like, which brand and model are they? (I'm planning on a bellows pocket and a flat pocket for this when I get a new exposure suit, but will wait until after the DIR-F class to get a new suit. I also don't own a can light yet.)

Thanks in advance for your answers.

Christian

 

[Doc Intrepid]

Christian,

If you will forgive a partial answer, I encourage you to PM Mike Kane (MHK on this board). Mike is a GUE Instructor who, in addition to his regular career, flies all over the country conducting DIR Fundamentals courses. If you're interested in taking the course anyway then getting the answers straight from Mike makes sense.

You locate weight where it is needed to properly trim your rig, given the individual characteristics you're working with. In some cases this could be a weightbelt. In others a trim weight such as a V-weight or P-weight might be best. It can vary considerably based on your individual situation. No one answer works for everyone. Thats why Mike spends time in the class working with each student on their rig.

Your rig buckle opens to the right, e.g. right hand. The photos in the book are real clear.

Have fun with the Fundies class. Its a learning experience.

Doc

 

[headhunter]

Christian,

If you will forgive a partial answer, I encourage you to PM Mike Kane (MHK on this board). Mike is a GUE Instructor who, in addition to his regular career, flies all over the country conducting DIR Fundamentals courses. If you're interested in taking the course anyway then getting the answers straight from Mike makes sense.

You locate weight where it is needed to properly trim your rig, given the individual characteristics you're working with. In some cases this could be a weightbelt. In others a trim weight such as a V-weight or P-weight might be best. It can vary considerably based on your individual situation. No one answer works for everyone. Thats why Mike spends time in the class working with each student on their rig.

Your rig buckle opens to the right, e.g. right hand. The photos in the book are real clear.

Have fun with the Fundies class. Its a learning experience.

Doc

Thanks Doc. Partial answers are great! It's better to get many partial answers than no answers at all.

Your answers make sense to me.

I'm sure that the book will be very helpful when it arrives (as will the class when I take it). I'm also going through the DIR threads here on SB using different search parameters. I've found posts pointing to different web sites that have some pictures which are proving helpful.

I've read many of MHK's posts, as well as, Marc Hall's posts and feel that I have learned a lot from both of these gentlemen. I consider both of them "local" to me. I imagine that they are both very busy with GUE and whatever other endeavors they are involved with, and I hate to bother them directly with questions this early in the game.

By posting my questions, I can get a variety of answers from people who may have differing points of view. When everyone agrees on something then it stands to reason that it's a non-negotiable point. When I get differing points of view then, I can study that particular issue further.

I'm sure all of these types of questions are answered in the book and the class, but I find that I learn and remember things best when I hear the same things said in different ways by different people. It also helps me to better impart that knowledge to someone else at a later date. At this point, for me, it is all academic and simply the pursuit of knowlege. The rubber meets the road when I try to apply that knowlege and that's when the class and direct guidance from the experts becomes essential to me.

Again, I appreciate your help.

Christian