dahenley
New member
Aw, jeez...
You know, I would love to claim these ideas as my own, but...
Yes master...... (takes a bow)
My new rig (BP/W)
- Thread starter TTU_Reefer
- Start date
Yes master...... (takes a bow)
tgreene
Reefer
I'm totally gonna assume that you said this very slowly in a Zombie'esq voice, right..? :wildone:
TTU_Reefer
New member
thanks for the post on bouyancy, exactly what I needed. Il let you know how it goes. Now I just have to wait for the stuff to get in. I may order the wing before it does.
Stand by!
Stand by!
SeaJayInSC
New member
LOL! I'm just the messenger... A student like you guys.
That said, we'll be serving grape Kool-Aid at the shop... (A DIR joke, reflecting on the cultlike following and referencing the Jones cult.)
Another DIR joke: "Welcome to the Dark Side."
You know, a month after reading the Fundies book for the first time, and after a few discussions with some of the DIR guys, I developed such a resistance to the whole concept that I jokingly called them "DIR Nazis," with the WKPP as the "Third Reich." You'll later learn about the WKPP (Woodville Karst Plains Project), a very exclusive group of cave divers from which DIR was borne. "DIR" was actually designed to create WKPP divers, although only a small fraction of DIR divers have ever served with the project.
The WKPP is known for it's ambitious dives that have set many world records, including a 36,000-foot cave penetration (about seven miles), several spring-to-spring connections, several deep cave dives (some in the 400-foot range) and many long dives, some of them lasting almost 60 hours. To date, the State of Florida recognizes the WKPP as the resident expert, and chooses much of their geographic exploration to be done by the WKPP exclusively.
More: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woodville_Karst_Plain_Project
These are the guys that came up with the concept of DIR - which was actually just a "bringing together" of a bunch of concepts that have worked for them over a long period of time. They didn't really invent the concepts either (backplate and wing, ratio decompression, long hose primary), but rather, they brought it all together and combined it with a "team" concept in diving that simply worked. When asked about it and encouraged to teach the concepts, "DIR" was borne.
...Anyway, when I first came in contact with it all around 2001 or so, I was so struck by the rigidity of their teachings that I used to call them "DIR Nazis," and the 'KPP the "Third Reich."
The more diving I did, though, the more their teachings made sense, and I found myself often taking the "long road" to find out what was best for me with regards to skills and gear. What would take me a year or two to find, I would find in their teachings. After a while, I started listening instead of learning it on my own... And that's when I officially became "DIR." 
...But I am only the messenger - a student, like you... Just a few years later, that's all. And I hope that the style of diving and philosophies with regard to teamwork and simplicity and minimalization will affect your whole life like it has mine.
I am flattered to have pointed y'all in the direction of DIR, whether you know it or not. Unless you know of a set of better divers (and if you did, you'd likely find the same skill sets and gear), these are the guys to learn from.
TTU_Reefer
New member
stuff arrived! rigging the back plate now. wish me luck haha
TTU_Reefer
New member
backplate is rigged, that was so so easy. Now the adjustment part...might be not so easy...The buckle supplied is a weight belt buckle (assumed) because the logo is upside down since I have the harness left hand release so its different than my weight belt.
SeaJayInSC
New member
It is pretty easy, isn't it?
Adjusting isn't any harder - just a little time-consuming to get it nailed. I assume that you have instructions. Here's a link, just in case: http://www.dir-diver.com/en/equipment/backplate_adjustment.html
The tough part is getting the shoulder straps adjusted right. Once that's done, the D-rings are a little easier. The waist strap is next - remember that the buckle should be over the right hip, not in the center. You should adjust the waist strap so that you've got enough room either way for different wetsuits, drysuits, or whatever.
The last thing is the crotch strap - you should just barely NOT be able to feel it when you crouch down, assuming that everything else is adjusted correctly.
Expect to have to readjust just a couple of millimeters here and there over your first half dozen or so dives. That's normal.
At that point, you'll always have a perfect fit - no more adjustments, and no more fiddling.
Adjusting isn't any harder - just a little time-consuming to get it nailed. I assume that you have instructions. Here's a link, just in case: http://www.dir-diver.com/en/equipment/backplate_adjustment.html
The tough part is getting the shoulder straps adjusted right. Once that's done, the D-rings are a little easier. The waist strap is next - remember that the buckle should be over the right hip, not in the center. You should adjust the waist strap so that you've got enough room either way for different wetsuits, drysuits, or whatever.
The last thing is the crotch strap - you should just barely NOT be able to feel it when you crouch down, assuming that everything else is adjusted correctly.
Expect to have to readjust just a couple of millimeters here and there over your first half dozen or so dives. That's normal.
At that point, you'll always have a perfect fit - no more adjustments, and no more fiddling.
TTU_Reefer
New member
Thanks! Used that advice and got it feeling real nice. I left it a tiny bit loose because I have no wet suit on right now. I really am excited, it feels like your "one" with the BC...very neat.
Need to order the wing now, and take pictures...
Need to order the wing now, and take pictures...
SeaJayInSC
New member
Yeah, pictures! Pictures!
Wait'll you have the system on, underwater, with a tank attached... It's like a "oneness" that no non-backplate equipped BC can equal.
It'll do amazing things for you regarding your trim, too... Wait'll you dive with it...
Wait'll you have the system on, underwater, with a tank attached... It's like a "oneness" that no non-backplate equipped BC can equal.
It'll do amazing things for you regarding your trim, too... Wait'll you dive with it...
TTU_Reefer
New member
ok heres a teaser. note the sweet custom mask strap..it matches my Gfs ha ha...oh boy..
SeaJayInSC
New member
Very nice! Dive Rite makes an excellent plate...
It's tough to tell from your photo, but it appears that you've got the buckle on the right side... It should be on your left, so that when you don the rig, you put the buckle through your crotch strap and secure the buckle on your right hip.
Like this:
I'd also put the pocket on your right hip... Back further than where the buckle secures, and tied in with a triglide so it won't slip off. And place only one D-ring on your waist - on the left side so that it can hold your SPG. It should be in line with the seam on your blue jeans - directly on your side, and below your armpit.
Overall, a really clean-looking and professional-grade rig. You're gonna love diving it...
More pictures?
What's the cord on the right chest D-ring?
Another couple of pointers:
1. Call Extreme Exposure and ask them for the large O-ring that holds down the power inflator. It'll go on with your left chest D-ring (under the triglide) and give you a place to keep your power inflator. You can do the same thing with bungee, but the big O-ring that they use is super clean-looking.
2. While you're at it, ask them for some inner tube pieces (or cut your own from a 2" wide mountain bike inner tube, which is what I do). You'll want two of these pieces on your left waist strap (behind the buckle and in front of your D-ring) and three or four on each of your chest straps, beneath the D-rings. These will be used later to hold your extra waist strap and lights - that'll make sense later. (You can see two inner tube pieces on the chest straps in the photo above - I'd do three or four on your chest straps and two on your left waist strap, between the D-ring and the buckle.)
It's tough to tell from your photo, but it appears that you've got the buckle on the right side... It should be on your left, so that when you don the rig, you put the buckle through your crotch strap and secure the buckle on your right hip.
Like this:
I'd also put the pocket on your right hip... Back further than where the buckle secures, and tied in with a triglide so it won't slip off. And place only one D-ring on your waist - on the left side so that it can hold your SPG. It should be in line with the seam on your blue jeans - directly on your side, and below your armpit.
Overall, a really clean-looking and professional-grade rig. You're gonna love diving it...
More pictures?
What's the cord on the right chest D-ring?
Another couple of pointers:
1. Call Extreme Exposure and ask them for the large O-ring that holds down the power inflator. It'll go on with your left chest D-ring (under the triglide) and give you a place to keep your power inflator. You can do the same thing with bungee, but the big O-ring that they use is super clean-looking.
2. While you're at it, ask them for some inner tube pieces (or cut your own from a 2" wide mountain bike inner tube, which is what I do). You'll want two of these pieces on your left waist strap (behind the buckle and in front of your D-ring) and three or four on each of your chest straps, beneath the D-rings. These will be used later to hold your extra waist strap and lights - that'll make sense later.
(You can see two inner tube pieces on the chest straps in the photo above - I'd do three or four on your chest straps and two on your left waist strap, between the D-ring and the buckle.)
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TTU_Reefer
New member
I did have the buckle on the wrong side, thanks!! (im a dork ha)
I have some bungee like material to hold down the inflator.
And I have 6 of those inner tube pieces type material. I dont want to tell you what I thought they were at first...anti-chafing material. I found the actual anti chafing material and used in on the webbing with MUCH more sucess. Im glad I know what to do with the inner tube pieces now, iv been sitting here playing with them on my desk...
time to get back on work on the harness!
I have some bungee like material to hold down the inflator.
And I have 6 of those inner tube pieces type material. I dont want to tell you what I thought they were at first...anti-chafing material. I found the actual anti chafing material and used in on the webbing with MUCH more sucess. Im glad I know what to do with the inner tube pieces now, iv been sitting here playing with them on my desk...
time to get back on work on the harness!
TTU_Reefer
New member
How Do I attach the bungee for the inflator? tie it and then loop it under the D ring on the harness?
TTU_Reefer
New member
got the bungee on, now im just messin with the straps. I have re-done it and yea..everything makes more sence. Thanks!
TTU_Reefer
New member
one more question...
where is a good location for my line cutter? its small in a pouch. I figured id ask so I didnt do something dumb like rubberband it to my snorkel
kidding, I quit diving with a snorkel after I got one caught on an overhead and it pulled my mask up.
where is a good location for my line cutter? its small in a pouch. I figured id ask so I didnt do something dumb like rubberband it to my snorkel
kidding, I quit diving with a snorkel after I got one caught on an overhead and it pulled my mask up.
TTU_Reefer
New member
another question..more of an opinion. About to order a Mack V 30# wing, blue or camo...come on..it matters!
im thinking blue
im thinking blue
SeaJayInSC
New member
Hey, bud... Sorry I wasn't around yesterday to answer questions. Diving.
Don't feel silly for not knowing how to rig the harness. Someday in the near future you'll be telling someone else how to rig and when they make a mistake, you'll be able to think, "Hey, I remember..."
The bungee should be tied into a circle (think "like an O-ring") using a square knot and melting the ends with a lighter. I also like to melt my knot a little, to make it hard and more likely to stay together. Once you've made the loop, it should be installed WITH the left chest D-ring. That is, one triglide will hold both the left chest D-ring and the bungee loop that you've made. When you're all rigged, your inflator hose will be held down with the bungee loop. I like to put my square knot underneath the webbing (between the webbing and the triglide) for a really smooth appearance.
Alternatively, you can also order the "giant O-ring" from Extreme Exposure. The O-ring isn't as flexible as the bungee, but it's super slick looking, for sure. I like it.
The cutter (and I'm assuming that it came in a pouch made of 2" webbing) should sit just behind your buckle on the left waist strap. When everything's put together, it should sit directly in front of your body, just to the left side of your crotch strap. This will enable you to access the tool with either hand, just in case you become entangled and can only access the tool with one hand or the other. Also, it'll enable you to use the tool ambedextrously when you've already got your hands full with a scooter, light, tool, anchor line, cave reel, SMB, OOA buddy, or whatever.
It should look like this:
Notice the positions of the inner tube. This is used to secure loose straps so that the system gets super-streamlined.
Here's a couple of photos that'll explain what the knife should look like when the rig is fully assembled and you're wearing it.
[/QUOTE]
No making fun of the dopey-looking diver, now.
My knife is a Scubapro K3 knife, which is rediculously overpriced for what you get - a solid 316 stainless steel knife that's been laser cut from a single piece of stainless steel... With no plastic or handles or anything. I love the knife's simplicity in design, and it's very user-friendly and functional. I think I paid $40-$60 for it.
Most divers I know purchase a pack of stainless steel steak knives and grind the tip down using a Dremel tool or a grinding wheel. Cheap, effective, super-sharp, and of course, you can shape the blade any way you like. I personally think that the K3 looks a lot cooler, though.
The pouch is a simple piece of 2" webbing that's been folded over and sewn to make it. I purchased it from Extreme Exposure, but from what I remember, they don't sell the pouches without the included knife, of which you may or may not be a fan (that's one in the first picture above). I think their Halcyon knives are a bit bulky, although very nicely designed for the hand, and titanium - so it'll stay sharper than my stainless one (304 stainless is much more corrosion-resistant than 420 stainless, but tends to lose it's edge more quickly - titanium doesn't have either of these issues). I'm not crazy about the velcro on the knife pouch - velcro eventually loses it's stick on scuba gear, and can be a pain to operate with gloved hands, particularly if the water's cold. My K3 doesn't move a bit, and is sorta "wedged" into the pouch. I've never seen the need for an additional fastener... But if I did, I'd probably use a piece of inner tube instead of velcro.
By the way... The inner tube is pretty cool stuff. It does break down after a year of sunlight or so, but is easily replaced almost for free. Meanwhile, it's very slick and great-looking. I suspect that you'll need to carry some around with you for your buddies, when they've got a "flying strap." They'll be so impressed.
The coolest thing about the inner tube is that you can cut it to any width you want... Make it wider, and it's a stronger hold... Make it narrower, and it's easier to work with your fingers. I make mine about 1/2" wide for my shoulder straps (for my lights) and about 3/4" wide on my waist strap, to hold down any extra strap.
Don't feel silly for not knowing how to rig the harness. Someday in the near future you'll be telling someone else how to rig and when they make a mistake, you'll be able to think, "Hey, I remember..."
The bungee should be tied into a circle (think "like an O-ring") using a square knot and melting the ends with a lighter. I also like to melt my knot a little, to make it hard and more likely to stay together. Once you've made the loop, it should be installed WITH the left chest D-ring. That is, one triglide will hold both the left chest D-ring and the bungee loop that you've made. When you're all rigged, your inflator hose will be held down with the bungee loop. I like to put my square knot underneath the webbing (between the webbing and the triglide) for a really smooth appearance.
Alternatively, you can also order the "giant O-ring" from Extreme Exposure. The O-ring isn't as flexible as the bungee, but it's super slick looking, for sure. I like it.
The cutter (and I'm assuming that it came in a pouch made of 2" webbing) should sit just behind your buckle on the left waist strap. When everything's put together, it should sit directly in front of your body, just to the left side of your crotch strap. This will enable you to access the tool with either hand, just in case you become entangled and can only access the tool with one hand or the other. Also, it'll enable you to use the tool ambedextrously when you've already got your hands full with a scooter, light, tool, anchor line, cave reel, SMB, OOA buddy, or whatever.
It should look like this:
Notice the positions of the inner tube. This is used to secure loose straps so that the system gets super-streamlined.
Here's a couple of photos that'll explain what the knife should look like when the rig is fully assembled and you're wearing it.
No making fun of the dopey-looking diver, now.
My knife is a Scubapro K3 knife, which is rediculously overpriced for what you get - a solid 316 stainless steel knife that's been laser cut from a single piece of stainless steel... With no plastic or handles or anything. I love the knife's simplicity in design, and it's very user-friendly and functional. I think I paid $40-$60 for it.
Most divers I know purchase a pack of stainless steel steak knives and grind the tip down using a Dremel tool or a grinding wheel. Cheap, effective, super-sharp, and of course, you can shape the blade any way you like. I personally think that the K3 looks a lot cooler, though.
The pouch is a simple piece of 2" webbing that's been folded over and sewn to make it. I purchased it from Extreme Exposure, but from what I remember, they don't sell the pouches without the included knife, of which you may or may not be a fan (that's one in the first picture above). I think their Halcyon knives are a bit bulky, although very nicely designed for the hand, and titanium - so it'll stay sharper than my stainless one (304 stainless is much more corrosion-resistant than 420 stainless, but tends to lose it's edge more quickly - titanium doesn't have either of these issues). I'm not crazy about the velcro on the knife pouch - velcro eventually loses it's stick on scuba gear, and can be a pain to operate with gloved hands, particularly if the water's cold. My K3 doesn't move a bit, and is sorta "wedged" into the pouch. I've never seen the need for an additional fastener... But if I did, I'd probably use a piece of inner tube instead of velcro.
By the way... The inner tube is pretty cool stuff. It does break down after a year of sunlight or so, but is easily replaced almost for free. Meanwhile, it's very slick and great-looking. I suspect that you'll need to carry some around with you for your buddies, when they've got a "flying strap." They'll be so impressed.
The coolest thing about the inner tube is that you can cut it to any width you want... Make it wider, and it's a stronger hold... Make it narrower, and it's easier to work with your fingers. I make mine about 1/2" wide for my shoulder straps (for my lights) and about 3/4" wide on my waist strap, to hold down any extra strap.
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TTU_Reefer
New member
Thanks that was a really useful post, I reworked my gear and I am going to look for an O-ring.
I actually am using a small Z-knife, because I don’t want to bring a blade to Mexico. I am worried about trimming the extra on my harness, I don’t want to till I’m 100% sure it’s right. I am going to take some pictures of me wearing it tonight and post them so you all can critique.
I think I’m going to order a blue wing, I think the coolness of the camo would quickly fade. But I’m not sure yet, it doesn’t really matter I guess. I have been reading great reviews of the Mach V series wing, and the overall "O" shape as opposed to the "U" shape wing.
Oh another question, is the second stage around your neck your main or octo? I was thinking of doing my octo like this so in a buddy OOA emergency I could hand my main off and have my octo right there. Is this correct or do I need to adjust my logic?
I am going to a spring quarry about 3 miles away the first weekend in March to test everything, and then it’s off to Cancun for diving
I actually am using a small Z-knife, because I don’t want to bring a blade to Mexico. I am worried about trimming the extra on my harness, I don’t want to till I’m 100% sure it’s right. I am going to take some pictures of me wearing it tonight and post them so you all can critique.
I think I’m going to order a blue wing, I think the coolness of the camo would quickly fade. But I’m not sure yet, it doesn’t really matter I guess. I have been reading great reviews of the Mach V series wing, and the overall "O" shape as opposed to the "U" shape wing.
Oh another question, is the second stage around your neck your main or octo? I was thinking of doing my octo like this so in a buddy OOA emergency I could hand my main off and have my octo right there. Is this correct or do I need to adjust my logic?
I am going to a spring quarry about 3 miles away the first weekend in March to test everything, and then it’s off to Cancun for diving