Harness System

[Flatliner]

Originally Posted by CompuDude

You don't necessarily actually fully release/unbuckle the QR's, but you do loosen the straps at the those QR buckles. Loosening, and then re-tightening the straps, is part of the doff/don procedure in most PADI classes I've been a part of.

I agree. When I made my recommendation, I didn't know about the instructing. I am currently in my DM class and have realized pretty quickly that while I love my BP/W. I will need to pick up something else for instruction. Most likely I will look for a used back inflate BC of the brand sold by my shop (plus that will keep my BP/W out of the pool).

[Donkey]

Thanks for the replys!

A delux harness might have a few extra bits ans bobs but it doest bother me. I like to keep things minimal but I am just a rec scuba diver. Might go into tech one day but for now I teach OW and AOW.

So far I have chosen the following stuff:

Oxycheq mach V 30#.
DiveRite aluminium backplate

I think I'll just go for the cheaper OMS harness since I cant see the difference. Too bad I cant have a real look at it before I buy it. Never bought something over the internet before.

We'll see

[GMDGeek]

While everyone is talking harnesses I'm a newb and would like to get some clarification on the purpose of the harness?

I've used Talon BC's and Zeagle BC's but that is the limit of my knowledge or experience with BC's or harnesses ... so I am wanting to understand the purpose of the harness more.

Gerry

[CompuDude]

Originally Posted by GMDGeek

While everyone is talking harnesses I'm a newb and would like to get some clarification on the purpose of the harness?

I've used Talon BC's and Zeagle BC's but that is the limit of my knowledge or experience with BC's or harnesses ... so I am wanting to understand the purpose of the harness more.

This is the OMS "comfort harness" we're talking about (All the black bits), mounted on a backplate. I'm sure you can figure out what it's purpose is.



This is the hogarthian ("hog") harness we were discussing, which is a much simpler system with no buckles or releases... you size it precisely and then don't need to adjust it.

[GMDGeek]

So you take a back plate add the harness and pick a type of inflation and put it all together instead of using a pre-made harness and allowing for greater customization?

[scubachris]

Yes GMDGeek u r right. In this way u can choose the different kinds/lift of inflation u want,be it single tank or twin tanks diving! More flexibility and infinitely interchangable!

[CompuDude]

Originally Posted by GMDGeek

So you take a back plate add the harness and pick a type of inflation and put it all together instead of using a pre-made harness and allowing for greater customization?

Correct. Backplate + harness + wing (the inflation) and you're almost ready to dive. Commonly referred to as a bp/w (backplate and wing)

Just add some cam bands for single tanks or bolt on a set of doubles and it's time to get wet!

The hog harness is the simplest and most reliable. There's pretty much nothing that can go wrong with it. There is no plastic, just one long piece of 2" webbing that's strong enough to lift a car, and some stainless steel d-rings (not too many, just enough). Weight pockets can be added for those who really need it and can't (or won't) use a weight belt. Pockets could be added, but are better when they're attached to the thighs of your exposure suit instead. When you're wearing a bp/w harness, you generally have nothing on your front except the straps which lie flat against your body, leaving your whole front completely free, open, and clear of clutter. It's amazingly free feeling compared to BCs with all the junk they have on your front. All in a nearly indestructible package that's easily servicable in the field (not that you're ever likely to need to, but 2" webbing is available all over the world, no need to track down specific manufacturer parts should you have a gear problem on a trip).

A backplate puts 5-6# (more if you add weight plates or a weighted adapter) directly over your lungs, which makes it a lot better distributed than most traditional BCs. Some people don't even need any weights with inherent weight of the backplate. There's also zero inherent buoyancy... many traditional BCs have so much padding and extra junk that they actually need a few pounds of weight just to sink the BC itself! A bp/w will always be inherently negative.

The wings used with a bp/w can be fine tuned to provide the perfect amount of lift... no more than you need, no less. This means less drag in the water, pushing an oversize bladder through the water, instead you should have a smooth streamlined wing that's no bigger than it has to be to provide the proper amount of lift to float you when you need it. The reduced drag means you can go faster, or better, means you can move through the water with less effort, which means you save air, which means you get to stay under longer.

A bp/w can also switch from use with single tanks to use with double tanks just by removing the cam bands and bolting on the doubles (and of course swapping in an appropriately-sized doubles wing). If you use a single tank adapter (STA), a metal channel (usually) that the cam bands connect to, you literally unscrew two wing nuts to remove the STA, and thread two wing nuts onto the doubles bands, and you're ready to dive in approx 45 seconds.

I could go on, but I want to get back to my show now.

[rawalker]

I dive with the OMS deluxe comfort harness and am happy with it.
If you have been diving a standard jacket style or hybrid jacket style BCD and are transitioning to a BP&W then the extra releases won't bother you.

THe buzz about a 1 piece HOG harness is from those that are looking for a minimalistic BP&W for many of us having the releases gives us a sense of safety and security for an easy bailout if needed.

Others like the quick adjustment like a standard BCD.

Bottom line dive what you are comfortable with.

[Donkey]

@ compudude: nice presentation!

@ Rawalker: I have dived a seaquest balance before but this fell appart after about 900 dives.

I think the OMS comfort harness shuld be nce and comfy.
Do you know the difference between the OMS Comfort Harness and the
OMS Comfort Harness 2? Does the OMS harness fit any backplate?

Also: whay are there 2 dumpsystems integrated?

Thanks a lot!

Ties

[Tiptopperoo]

As a fellow instructor I would highly recommend just getting a cheap BC for pool sessions, and wearing your BP/W with standard HOG harness for the O/W components when you don't have to demo stuff.

Keeps your BP/W out of crappy pool water or being beaten up in rescue classes.

THE BEST option is really to use the shop BC's for confined. 1) you don't have to pay for it. 2) none of your stuff goes in the chlorine. 3) you're using exactly the same kit as the students, so it makes the teaching bit just that lil bit easier cos they just have to mirror you!

Dave