Low Profile Dump Value

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Steve - 21 May 2004 14:31 GMT

I have recently changed my setup to include a webbing
harness/backplate and Im having trouble getting into and out of the
damn thing.

One point in particular is the shoulder dump valve. Its a bit
difficult to squeeze my arm under the strap without catching the dump
valve on it. Then it becomes a struggle and a half!

Im wondering whether there's an easy (cheap) solution to this. Bear in
mind that its not always easy to adjust a harness once its on, the
boats moving and your mate is taking up any space you thought you had.
Although this would be the cheapest solution :-)

I had thought about changing my shoulder dump to a low profile version
but I've not seen any of these and have no experience of them.

Thoughts, comments, laughs welcome.

Cheers

Steve

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rads - 21 May 2004 14:58 GMT

>I have recently changed my setup to include a webbing
>harness/backplate and Im having trouble getting into and out of the
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
>
>Steve

It really shouldn't be that difficult. The shoulder straps should be
big dangly loops, and not tight until you stand up and take the weight
of the set.

If on a rib, I sit the set on the tubes, get someone to steady it,
then practically sit on the floor of the rib so my shoulders are at
about the level of the slots on the backplate. At this point there
should be miles of slack in the straps to get your arms through.

Once the straps are in place, sit up onto the tube and the set will
drop down your back until the shoulder straps go tight.

I do find getting out of the harness more difficult, so have added a
harness extension clip (see
http://www.ukrecscuba.org.uk/ukdiver/harness/index.html)

Have you seen this guide to fitting a harness?
http://www.baue.org/faq/backplate_sizing.html

Many people here are wishing to go from a low profile to a high
profile autodump, as the LP versions can be leak prone. You may be
able to find someone to swap with, but if you get your harness right
it should not be an issue.

This all come from an inflexible, "big boned" bloater. If I can get in
it, anyone can!

David

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Steve - 21 May 2004 22:37 GMT

> >I have recently changed my setup to include a webbing
> >harness/backplate and Im having trouble getting into and out of the
[quoted text clipped - 46 lines]
>
> David

Hi David,
thanks for the links and the tips, I'll have another go at configuring
the harness again. I've now spotted some of the problems and hopefully
these can be ironed out.

Cheers

Steve

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Pete Melbourne - 23 May 2004 16:42 GMT

>One point in particular is the shoulder dump valve. Its a bit
>difficult to squeeze my arm under the strap without catching the dump
>valve on it. Then it becomes a struggle and a half!

Sounds like a far too tight arm straps. on a BP/Wing the arm straps
are there to carry the thing not to hold it in place - that is all
done by the waist & crotch strap. It is a very common problem to make
them too tight as people think with their BCD head and try and set it
up in the same way

HTH

Pete
diving 'at' melbourne 'dot' me 'dot' uk

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ian mcdean - 27 May 2004 00:13 GMT

> >One point in particular is the shoulder dump valve. Its a bit
> >difficult to squeeze my arm under the strap without catching the dump
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> them too tight as people think with their BCD head and try and set it
> up in the same way

it is a common mistake your right as I made it, however it is also a common
mistake to think that the shoulder straps should be loose and sloppy. I did
the DIR fundamentals course earlier this year and was surprised at how tight
we were taught to have the harness. I think I speak for all three of the
people on the course when isay that we found it better. The problem is
getting out of it. It isn't a big problem on a hard boat as you have plenty
of time and can sit down out the way but in a RIB its a bit more
interesting. There are a few tricks, firstly let air out of your wing (if
its full you wont be able to get your arms back) secondly clip your long
hose off to the right During ( the clip is attached with line not a
breakaway) and use the house to pull the strap off the shoulder (you can get
better leverage as this extends the arm) thirdly use a front entry suit (
the problem with the rear entry suit is that is tend to kink in the wrong
place and stop the strap coming off the shoulder). Having said all this I
think I am going to loosen my straps slightly (and I mean slightly - 1/2
inch each side) as I have been using at the course length for a while now
and still finding it hard to get in and out. I still have a rear entry suit
that I think isn't helping. There are a couple of problems with over long
shoulder straps, firstly reaching valves is harder and secondly stages will
not hang on the proper position, dryings will also move around more than
they should which will make them more difficult to find.

hope some, if not all that helps

see you

Ian

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