moving to a bp/w

[diver-wife]

So I am looking at moving towards a bp/w set up. I do have a couple of questions thou:
1. With a continuous nylon webbing (ie. no quick release) don't you have issues when your wet suit compresses? With my bcd I usually jump in, go to the hangbar, tighten my straps up, then after I get to the wreck, I sinch up my straps again. What keeps you from getting to loose in the harness?

2. If it is tight enough to prevent the above problem, how the heck can you slide in to it (especially if flexibility is not one of your talents?)

[diver-wife]

3. Are all plates interchangeable? ie. can if I find a cheap used dive-rite plate on, lets say ebay, can I buy an oxycheq wing and be ok?

[FishFood]

The webbing simply slides through the plate slots before going around your waist. (on my setup) I can pull up and out on the wasit straps after donning the rig, and it will tighten my shoulders. It's also very simply to tighten your wasit strap at depth.

[Splitlip]

Originally Posted by diver-wife

So I am looking at moving towards a bp/w set up. I do have a couple of questions thou:
1. With a continuous nylon webbing (ie. no quick release) don't you have issues when your wet suit compresses? Surprisingly, NO.With my bcd I usually jump in, go to the hangbar, tighten my straps up, then after I get to the wreck, I sinch up my straps again. What keeps you from getting to loose in the harness? I do no sintching once the rig is on.

2. If it is tight enough to prevent the above problem, how the heck can you slide in to it (especially if flexibility is not one of your talents?) It works. If you sit or rest your tank on a bench or table to move the rig up, it is very easy. You never make it too tight so you can always get out by sliding the palm of a hand (facing your body) behind a shoulder strap. (I use a crotch strap.)

I actually carry my rig on my back, tank and all after a dive and put the entire thing in a rinse tank while it is pressurized. I am actually able to slip it off like a jacket.

Somebody will post some links. I cannot now. Have a soccer match to attend.

.....

[Aquatrax]

Originally Posted by diver-wife

3. Are all plates interchangeable? ie. can if I find a cheap used dive-rite plate on, lets say ebay, can I buy an oxycheq wing and be ok?

I have Oxycheq wings on Dive rite plates. No Worries
i also have some flexibility issues on my left shoulder but i can still extricate myself from the rig after a brief interpretive dance.

My wife gave me a Dive Rite Transplate harness for Christmas, I think I'm going to like the quick release buckles, much easier on my shoulder.

[medic001918]

Originally Posted by diver-wife

So I am looking at moving towards a bp/w set up. I do have a couple of questions thou:
1. With a continuous nylon webbing (ie. no quick release) don't you have issues when your wet suit compresses? With my bcd I usually jump in, go to the hangbar, tighten my straps up, then after I get to the wreck, I sinch up my straps again. What keeps you from getting to loose in the harness?

2. If it is tight enough to prevent the above problem, how the heck can you slide in to it (especially if flexibility is not one of your talents?)

1. Nope. No issues with compression. When a BP/W is properly adjusted and out of the water, it should be almost uncomfortable to wear. Once you're in the water and properly trimmed out, it should fall nicely into place and you should be able to move into any position without the rig sliding anywhere on it. So basically, it should only go where you want it to go and when you want it to go there.

2. There is actually a way to get into it. You have someone hold it, or set it on the edge of something (like a table). You crouch down, put your arms through the straps and slide up and into it. It's hard to explain. But if you practice it, you'll figure it out and you'll be amazed at how easy it is to get into. Just remember that you have to slide up into it in order to make it easiest.

3. The majority of plates have a standard spacing. There are plates that are shaped differently from others, but the wings should match up. Keep in mind though that based on different plate design, the wing may sit slightly different on different plates. I've never experienced how this would effect trim and such while diving since both of my rigs are the same manufacturer (for both rigs, and the plate & wing combo).

Shane

[Splitlip]

"3. The majority of plates have a standard spacing. There are plates that are shaped differently from others, but the wings should match up. Keep in mind though that based on different plate design, the wing may sit slightly different on different plates. I've never experienced how this would effect trim and such while diving since both of my rigs are the same manufacturer (for both rigs, and the plate & wing combo).

Shane"

And a single tank adapter will allow the use of virtually any wing with any plate.
And I prefer the STA.

[Vercingetorix]

I have a HammerHead steel plate, a GolemGear aluminum plate, and a GolemGear 35# wing. The wing is interchangeable on both plates. The slot spacing is standard 11 inches. The wing is STA-less. But, I also have a Hammerhead STA if I really need the extra weight.

Donning is easy. When I don't have a table nor buddy close-by, I can still don it by myself using the lift we all learned in OW. On land, the straps do feel tight; in the water, not so much. I do have to re-cinch my weight belt though when I drop 15 feet..

Speaking of weight belts; in fresh water and a 3mm wetsuit, I don't need any weight belt with the steel plate; it weighs 5 pounds. The aluminum plate is a little over one pound.

Removing the rig at the surface is easy; you go face first into the water and slip the rig forward and over your head. At depth, you can get out of the rig easily was well. You normally do the "chicken-wing" move there.

Finally, you may learn about whether or not to use a crotch strap. The answer is: it depends. For single tank, not needed. For doubles, it's needed. I dive a single tank with a 2-inch strap. I don't need it, but this way I used to it if I ever do need it. It also provides another couple rings for storing stuff.

I've looked at various padded harnesses and quick-release gizmos and rejected them. the beauty of the hog harness (continuous webbing) is that if I need to replace it at some foreign shore, nearly every dive shop carries 2-inch webbing. I can fix the problem myself. All other harnesses require the manufacturer to fix it. Finally, the padded harnesses provide buoyancy. My rig is negatively buoyant. It sinks.

GolemGear is having a sale now: 35# wing and AL or SS plate for $420. Includes harness and two steel tank cam straps. The wing is leather-tough, nearly impossible to cut or abrade, and guaranteed for life.

Just my 2 psi...

Having said all that, I will also say there is no real reason to go to BP/W if you are comfortable with your current BCD. Illustrious Leader ScubaToys Larry has thousands of dives and he uses a Zeagle Ranger. It is rear-inflate like a BP/W, but the comfort of a STAB; it can handle single and double tanks. If I did not already have a BP/W, I'd go with the Zeagle Brigade for single tank. It, too, can go with doubles with an interchangeable wing. Bottom line: if you want to go technical, the GUE-DIR crowd will DEMAND that you go BP/W. If technical diving is not in your future, go with what you want.

[rawalker]

If every you've had to slip out of a Hog harness on the surface during a heavy chop to get back on a boat that doesn't have a ladder you'll wish you'd have a shoulder release. Having to duck under the rig with the water bouncing you and the boat around is no fun. Having a release allows you to keep 1 hand on the BCD and the other on the boat while you remove the rig and hand it up. Then you have 2 hands to control yourself.
The majority of the pieces that comprise a Deluxe Harness are standard parts and are not likely to be a problem if checked before a trip. The waist strap is 2" webbing an so is the upper half of the shoulder straps. You just need to know the way to set them up. If something were to break at worst you'd be in no worse shape than needing 2" webbing to rig a Hog harness to finish the trip (no worse than a damaged Hog Harness would be)
Hog Devotees seem to be very vocal but the fact is that there are some circumstances that It isn't the best choice. As I've noted boat diving in choppy waters or if you have a bad shoulder may guide your choice away from it.
Bottom line not all conditions are perfect for Hog style harness!
You'll need to weigh the alternatives and judge for yourself what works for others may not be the best choice for you.

[imasinker]

At first the continuous harness may seem constrictive. As you wear it and use it, like anything else you get to donning and doffing it with ease. I recently moved to the BP/W and harness system. I bought the quick release system and liked it, but with going to doubles and hitting the GUE F continuous is required. To remove a continuous harness it is easy if you use the two shoulder D-rings. Place your thumb from up under the D-ring curl it and pull outwards to the side with the D-ring. the harness will slide off your shoulders and you can easily pull your arms out. I do the same in revers to get the harness on. Again it takes practice, but after a few times you'll have no problems.