bp/wing questions

[r2t]

I have picked up a ss backplate with harness for 40 bucks. Once I get some money together I will pair it up with the oxycheq 40# mach v and sta. I have some question. Where do most of you put your knife?( Other then the waist strap, already have shears on the waist strap.) The wing inflator does that get attach to the harness? Anyone have the oxycheq backpad? Wondering how well the built in smb pocket is? How do you pick these rigs up? My bc has a built in handle makes picking up and moving easy.
Thanks
Ron L.

[skdvr]

Congrats on the good deal for the BP/Harness.

Well I put my knife on my leg, I know a lot of people put theirs on the waist strap, but if you already have shears there and you do not want anything else, then go to the leg. I attach my inflator to the harness, well sorta I guess. The flag that goes over the Inflator hose on the wing will have velcro (well atleast mine does which is a oxycheq 30# wing) and I wrap that around the shoulderstrap of the harness. As far as carrying it goes, if you do not want to put it on your back I just put my arm through both shoulder straps and carry it that way. I do not knwo anything about the built in pocket. My wind does not have one...
Phil

[BobbyWombat]

r2t,

The Mach V is a great wing, and can be used without a STA, if you so desire. No right or wrong answer there, but could save you a bit of money.

I have my knife on the right side of my waist belt, and my shears on my upper left shoulder strap. My feeling is you want separation between the two, and you must be able to reach both with either hand. For me, that means keeping my cutting equipment on my chest or waist.

I don't know if the Oxycheq backpad will fit on a non-Oxycheq plate. You might want to buy a matching brand to your plate. I talked to a guy at ST when buying my Oxycheck BP about the pad, and he said "it was fine".

Diverite sells an SMB that comes in a little mesh bag w/ hardware to attach it to a BP. Just an option to consider.

[ianr33]

Originally Posted by r2t

I have picked up a ss backplate with harness for 40 bucks. Once I get some money together I will pair it up with the oxycheq 40# mach v and sta. I have some question. Where do most of you put your knife?( Other then the waist strap, already have shears on the waist strap.) The wing inflator does that get attach to the harness? Anyone have the oxycheq backpad? Wondering how well the built in smb pocket is? How do you pick these rigs up? My bc has a built in handle makes picking up and moving easy.
Thanks
Ron L.

I also have shears on my waistbelt. Also have a small z knife at the very left of the waistbelt. You could put a knife on the shoulder straps if you do not have back up lights there. A goodman handle on a can light is a good place for a small knife.Otherwise probably best to put the knife in a pocket

I put the wing inflator hose under a piece of bungee that goes under the left D ring. Bungee actually sits just above the D ring and is secured by the tri glide.

Pick it up by the shoulder straps and/or the tank.

[MSilvia]

Originally Posted by r2t

Where do most of you put your knife?( Other then the waist strap, already have shears on the waist strap.)

Waist strap. I have the knife on the right, shears on the left.
[quote=r2t;131118]The wing inflator does that get attach to the harness?[/quote]
I use a loop of bungee cord to attach it through the webbing that threads through the left shoulder D-ring.

Originally Posted by r2t

Anyone have the oxycheq backpad?

Nope... I don't have any interest in a backpad.

Originally Posted by r2t

Wondering how well the built in smb pocket is?

Can't help you there. I secure my SMB to the bottom of my plate.

Originally Posted by r2t

How do you pick these rigs up?

The usual... buy them a couple of fruity coctails, tell them some cool stories, and invite them back to my place for coffee.

Either that, or by the tank valve(s) or shoulder straps.

[BSea]

I have my knife mounted to the corrigated inflater hose. But I have a small knife. I may be changing that around, but for right now, that's how I have it.

[fire diver]

I also have shears on my waist strap, so I carry my backup knife on my leg. I have found that bungie-ing the inflator to the harness is a pain. Sometimes I like to lay it across the back of my neck when my left hand is busy holding the strobe of my camera. I can still reach and manipulate the inflator with my right hand just fine.

I've felt the need for a backpad. the rig isn't uncomfortable when walking from my truck to the entry point. As far as picking it up, I just lift by the valve and the bottom.

SD

[awap]

Folding Gerber knife in a pouch on my waist strap. Shears in a pouch on my left shoulder strap below the D-ring.

Corrugated hose has a velcro tape connection to my shoulder strap at the top of my shoulder. I also run the LPI hose thru a loop of bungee that is connected to the left shoulder D-ring.

[CompuDude]

Knife on the waist belt, shears in the pocket, Z-knife on the shoulder strap.

Pick it up by the shoulder straps or tank valve, as others have indicated.

I second the advice to be sure the OxyCheq's pad holes line up properly on your plate, if you didn't buy an OxyCheq plate. There's no standard in this area... every manufacturer puts things in slightly different places.

The inflator attaches to the wing with a simple loop of bungee threaded under the left shoulder's D-ring (and the wing is sandwiched between the tank and plate, of course).

I also second the DiveRite mesh bags for your SMB (if it will fit).

Why the 40# Mach V? The vast majority of people I know use the 30# wing and are very happy with it. No need for excess lift and drag... smaller is better, as long as it is enough, and 30# is enough for nearly any single tank diver's needs.

[Crimediver]

I also feel the 30 # wing will do better for most divers. It is a good all-around wing.