How to rig a Harness-slack or tight

Ian Dennis <ian@middlemarch01.freeserve.co.uk> wrote:

> Can anybody tell me how loose the shoulders should be on a harness backplate
> system. Using Halcyon setup- too tight can get past dive computer on wrist-
> too loose and it feels that it will come off the shoulders- should I put a
> quick release in or look at crossing the straps- advise please

Having just set up a backplate, for the first time, and used one for the
second series of dives I will give my observations, being very clear
that they apply to me and others feel differently.

After getting advise from several users here I set mine up with crossed
straps and feel happy with that choice.

I also put in a quick extension (QE), I call it that not a QR because
the harness is not cut. One or two people have had problems with fixing
the attachment points of the QE and have had it slip. I think I have
solved that problem as my harness did not slip on the top attachment
point using two tryglides. The bottom attachment did slip twice using
one tryglide, however that is easy to fix as it does not carry much
load.

One further point which makes my setup very much a DIMW not a DIR one is
that as I really like the Buddy crotch strap setup I have incorporated
dual straps, intergrated weight pockets and trim weight pockets (for
keeping my snorkel when teaching) and DSMB reel in.
--
>replace spamblock with my family name to e-mail me

Ian Dennis <ian@middlemarch01.freeserve.co.uk> wrote:

> Can anybody tell me how loose the shoulders should be on a harness backplate
> system. Using Halcyon setup- too tight can get past dive computer on wrist-
> too loose and it feels that it will come off the shoulders- should I put a
> quick release in or look at crossing the straps- advise please

Having just set up a backplate, for the first time, and used one for the
second series of dives I will give my observations, being very clear
that they apply to me and others feel differently.

After getting advise from several users here I set mine up with crossed
straps and feel happy with that choice.

I also put in a quick extension (QE), I call it that not a QR because
the harness is not cut. One or two people have had problems with fixing
the attachment points of the QE and have had it slip. I think I have
solved that problem as my harness did not slip on the top attachment
point using two tryglides. The bottom attachment did slip twice using
one tryglide, however that is easy to fix as it does not carry much
load.

One further point which makes my setup very much a DIMW not a DIR one is
that as I really like the Buddy crotch strap setup I have incorporated
dual straps, intergrated weight pockets and trim weight pockets (for
keeping my snorkel when teaching) and DSMB reel in.
--
>replace spamblock with my family name to e-mail me

> Can anybody tell me how loose the shoulders should be on a harness
backplate
> system.

With just the harness & plate on, I made sure each loop was slack enough to
allow me to bend my arm and push the fingers on that side back through the
loop comfortably. This is fine for me - the loops don't need to be tight.

Im another that has bastardised an off the rack Halcyon system - I put a
"QE" (see post above) in on the right hand side, with toothed triglides top
and bottom, due to serious slippage that happened without them. I also used
an AP Valves clip due to strength & reliability (it was very cheap at a dive
show), it beds in quite nicely just where the strap starts to go under the
arm, and isn't uncomfortable.

Even in the open position, the QE is not a problem, I've dived with it open
and barely noticed. It does make it a lot easier to get out of the harness
though.

One other thing about your harness - it'll all stretch out a bit the first
time you put some strain on it, and the first time you get it in water it'll
swell up, then dry out, then everything moves around a little bit. After a
couple of dives it'll settle down, but I did end up tightening it all up a
couple of times before it was fine.


Jeff.

> Can anybody tell me how loose the shoulders should be on a harness
backplate
> system.

With just the harness & plate on, I made sure each loop was slack enough to
allow me to bend my arm and push the fingers on that side back through the
loop comfortably. This is fine for me - the loops don't need to be tight.

Im another that has bastardised an off the rack Halcyon system - I put a
"QE" (see post above) in on the right hand side, with toothed triglides top
and bottom, due to serious slippage that happened without them. I also used
an AP Valves clip due to strength & reliability (it was very cheap at a dive
show), it beds in quite nicely just where the strap starts to go under the
arm, and isn't uncomfortable.

Even in the open position, the QE is not a problem, I've dived with it open
and barely noticed. It does make it a lot easier to get out of the harness
though.

One other thing about your harness - it'll all stretch out a bit the first
time you put some strain on it, and the first time you get it in water it'll
swell up, then dry out, then everything moves around a little bit. After a
couple of dives it'll settle down, but I did end up tightening it all up a
couple of times before it was fine.


Jeff.

> Can anybody tell me how loose the shoulders should be on a harness
backplate
> system.

With just the harness & plate on, I made sure each loop was slack enough to
allow me to bend my arm and push the fingers on that side back through the
loop comfortably. This is fine for me - the loops don't need to be tight.

Im another that has bastardised an off the rack Halcyon system - I put a
"QE" (see post above) in on the right hand side, with toothed triglides top
and bottom, due to serious slippage that happened without them. I also used
an AP Valves clip due to strength & reliability (it was very cheap at a dive
show), it beds in quite nicely just where the strap starts to go under the
arm, and isn't uncomfortable.

Even in the open position, the QE is not a problem, I've dived with it open
and barely noticed. It does make it a lot easier to get out of the harness
though.

One other thing about your harness - it'll all stretch out a bit the first
time you put some strain on it, and the first time you get it in water it'll
swell up, then dry out, then everything moves around a little bit. After a
couple of dives it'll settle down, but I did end up tightening it all up a
couple of times before it was fine.


Jeff.

> Can anybody tell me how loose the shoulders should be on a harness
backplate
> system.

With just the harness & plate on, I made sure each loop was slack enough to
allow me to bend my arm and push the fingers on that side back through the
loop comfortably. This is fine for me - the loops don't need to be tight.

Im another that has bastardised an off the rack Halcyon system - I put a
"QE" (see post above) in on the right hand side, with toothed triglides top
and bottom, due to serious slippage that happened without them. I also used
an AP Valves clip due to strength & reliability (it was very cheap at a dive
show), it beds in quite nicely just where the strap starts to go under the
arm, and isn't uncomfortable.

Even in the open position, the QE is not a problem, I've dived with it open
and barely noticed. It does make it a lot easier to get out of the harness
though.

One other thing about your harness - it'll all stretch out a bit the first
time you put some strain on it, and the first time you get it in water it'll
swell up, then dry out, then everything moves around a little bit. After a
couple of dives it'll settle down, but I did end up tightening it all up a
couple of times before it was fine.


Jeff.

I was close to use my scissors, until I read this thread - pls could you
explain the QE thingy for me? Where can I get it?

Best regards

Henrik
>
> I also put in a quick extension (QE), I call it that not a QR because
> the harness is not cut. One or two people have had problems with fixing
> the attachment points of the QE and have had it slip. I think I have
> solved that problem as my harness did not slip on the top attachment
> point using two tryglides. The bottom attachment did slip twice using
> one tryglide, however that is easy to fix as it does not carry much
> load.
>

I was close to use my scissors, until I read this thread - pls could you
explain the QE thingy for me? Where can I get it?

Best regards

Henrik
>
> I also put in a quick extension (QE), I call it that not a QR because
> the harness is not cut. One or two people have had problems with fixing
> the attachment points of the QE and have had it slip. I think I have
> solved that problem as my harness did not slip on the top attachment
> point using two tryglides. The bottom attachment did slip twice using
> one tryglide, however that is easy to fix as it does not carry much
> load.
>

I was close to use my scissors, until I read this thread - pls could you
explain the QE thingy for me? Where can I get it?

Best regards

Henrik
>
> I also put in a quick extension (QE), I call it that not a QR because
> the harness is not cut. One or two people have had problems with fixing
> the attachment points of the QE and have had it slip. I think I have
> solved that problem as my harness did not slip on the top attachment
> point using two tryglides. The bottom attachment did slip twice using
> one tryglide, however that is easy to fix as it does not carry much
> load.
>

I was close to use my scissors, until I read this thread - pls could you
explain the QE thingy for me? Where can I get it?

Best regards

Henrik
>
> I also put in a quick extension (QE), I call it that not a QR because
> the harness is not cut. One or two people have had problems with fixing
> the attachment points of the QE and have had it slip. I think I have
> solved that problem as my harness did not slip on the top attachment
> point using two tryglides. The bottom attachment did slip twice using
> one tryglide, however that is easy to fix as it does not carry much
> load.
>