Which DIR harness with or without the cheststrap?

[SparkySFD]

Couldnt think of a good title. I know you are supposed to use a continuous piece of webbing. This would eliminate a chest strap.

Now I have never had either harness on. But from the BCD I have now I just cant imagine that a Halcyon harness could fit better than a Jet harness or a Zeagle deluxe harness.

It just seems like the halcyon would cut into your armpit area. I like the fact that it cleans up your chest more but the comfort just doesnt look the same.

I would also think the way you build in the chest strap with the webbing attaching to a ring would make the harness fit the body better. Making the whole rig more stable. My current BCD a Seaquest Balance fits with the same principle. I really like how stable it is.

 

[Dryglove]

If the harness is properly adjusted there is no need for a chest strap. I have never had any problems with mine cutting into my arm pit. With the crotch strap and properly adjusted harness the whole system comes together and is very stable.

 

[SparkySFD]

I forgot to add this. I am a fireman by trade. Every shift I end up putting on an SCBA. Not a SCUBA harness but very similar. We use Scott airpacks which is basically a packplate and a webbing harness without a chest strap.

When we switched to them I was a little apprehensive at first about no chest strap. The problem there was, "would it fall off"? I know that to not be the case. What I worry about here is the armpit thing. When I wear my SCBA at work its always with a heavy turnout coat. All the padding you could need.

With a SCUBA bp/wing harness I dont even see a problem with a wetsuit on. But if I were diving in the warmer water on a vacation with say a lighter weight wetsuit or skin would it cut into the armpits?

Thanks for all the advice!

 

[Dryglove]

SparkySFD once bubbled...
With a SCUBA bp/wing harness I dont even see a problem with a wetsuit on. But if I were diving in the warmer water on a vacation with say a lighter weight wetsuit or skin would it cut into the armpits?

Granted a bp/wing may not be the best available option for diving in a skin. You will feel the weight of the straps on dry land till you get in the water then you hardly even notice it being there. Once in the water i dont even notice the straps anymore.

 

[jplacson]

Sparky, there is no real issue with BP straps... I thought they would be uncomfortable before I got one... I use a 0.5mm skin.

They do dig in a bit if you're doing a shore entry... but not really a big deal, unless you've got doubles.

Now, there are optional neoprene shoulder straps that wrap around the webbing if you really want.

 

[Genesis]

With doubles I definitely "notice" until I'm in the water, but with a single tank it is very comfortable even on land.

Around here when doing a jetty dive, where you have roughly a 1/2 mile hike to the water, I put the kit on over my T-shirt and bathing suit at the parking area and hike it in with a gear bag (with backpack straps) with my exposure suit and fins in that over the top of the plate/tank.

Works fine for me.... and that's a loooong walk in soft sand!

I have just the standard strapping - no "pads" on my singles rig (steel plate.) On my doubles plate (Aluminum) I DO have a set of pads on the straps, but I may remove them - they force the chest D-rings down a bit lower than I'd really like them, and I'm not sure if they really increase or actually DECREASE comfort!

 

[nyresq]

buy some softer webbing. alot of guys like the super stiff extra hard webbing, I guess cause they think it lasts longer or something, but if your plate is burr free (takes a few minutes with some elbow grease and a piece of sand paper) the softer webbing will last just as long and doesn't have as much "edge" to it. I find it a little better on the neck and shoulders when I'm not in a dry suit.

just a suggestion, so if thats not DIR approved, don't jump me...

 

[Genesis]

can be that its harder to don, because it doesn't "stand proud."

I re-rigged one of my plates with replaced, somewhat-softer webbing a couple of months ago, as it was getting kinda ratty.

Indeed, it is a bit harder to don. Not horrible, but a bit tougher.

I haven't noticed any difference in the comfort at all.

 

[OneBrightGator]

hijacking....

Anybody have a source for soft webbing or a way to soften webbing for a crotch strap? Last one I had was so stiff I couldn't adjust it properly.

Thanks,

Ben

 

[Genesis]

That's where I got my last set of webbing, and if I remember correctly they had the crotch webbing as well.