Quick release harness

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Permalink Reply by Maciej Arkuszewski on August 9, 2009 at 10:14pm

Hey Chris.

I personally never found an issue with quick gear donning, removal when using traditional hogharthian harness. Given proper adjustment and some tricks this thing is being removed in no time. You probably are familiar with opinion, that using plastic buckles on your harness will some day cost you a dive, because buckle might get smashed. While I hear now and then, about people who actually had that happen, I think I would personally be very annoyed by added clutter additional buckle puts on a harness. In particular in this location it's bound to hook dry gloves, gauges, exhaust valve, etc.
But to each it's own. This buckle looks quite solid and I don't think it's likely to get undone underwater. It also seems that in order to take gear off you need to release some tension on a straps and work it with two hands which to me seems like quite advanced yoga pose, but since I never had it in my hand I might be entirely wrong. And I'm very unlikely to try this solution in a future, so please - if you become an owner, let us know how it works.

Regards
Maciek

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Permalink Reply by Don Chennavasin on August 10, 2009 at 9:20am

I personally don't like the addition clutter that a buckle introduces (buckle + excess webbing), however if you need it, then this looks like a possibility. What issue are you trying to solve with the addition of the buckle?

Be mindful of back-up light and buckle placement. I can see it being quite annoying if they interfere. Improper placement could make donning and doffing gear more work.

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Permalink Reply by George K. Watson on August 19, 2009 at 12:03pm

This buckle is straight from tower climbing and rescue harnesses. It must be 'loaded': kept tight, to be effective; conversely, it must be unloaded to be removed. I have some degree of experience with them and they are rugged, but a bit clunky. There is little utility in it (a brief bit of convenience) and it will catch things.

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Permalink Reply by Chris Johnson on August 19, 2009 at 1:23pm

Thanks for the feedback.

Still in limbo as to whether I will give them a shot or not. If I could only use them on one side, then I would be more inclined, but since they have stitched in both sides and it looks like it will impede on some of my equipment, I am hesitant about trying it.

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Permalink Reply by Chris Johnson on August 19, 2009 at 1:44pm

I am just a very stocky guy who isn't very flexible. I also wear the si-tech dry gloves which have large rings and have a tendency to hang up on my harness when donning/doffing.

If I adjust my harness so that I can touch the top of the plate, then it is a little tough donning/doffing. If I let the plate slip down a little bit, I cant reach the top of the plate, but there is enough slack in the harness to make donning/doffing significantly easier.

Honestly, I think if is when to something like the DC dry gloves as opposed to the si-tech, I would be able to get in and out of my rig much easier..

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Permalink Reply by Mark Chase on December 7, 2009 at 12:59am

I looked at these and from a strength unbreakable point of view they are great but Id like to see if they offered easy release in practice. Main reasions i stuck with a quick release is past experiance of being wedged in a tight space. Having the pinch clips allowed me to undo the harnes and swim out of the rig. Id have never got out in a one piece. I strugle with those on tec rigs. I dive a one piece for recreational diving but when things get serious I go back to the clips. I havent broken one yet but I have only been diving for 20 years so it may hapen soon :D

If however you want to stay DIR there is the new Halcyon Cinch. I am going to try one of these on my new unit and see how it goes. With that i can release the buckle and get enough slack to easily get out of the rig and i can have the harness very snug which is what i prefer when diving heavy rigs.

I dont know if UTD has accepted the Cinch thing but if GUE have i dont see why not.

It seems to solve my problmes with a one piece and stay cleen to satisfie the stile gurus.

ATB

Mark

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Permalink Reply by Steve Malfait on March 2, 2010 at 7:25am

I'm diving for 15 years now and also didn't have any problem with (plastic) buckles.
Another advantage of a buckle is that in case of unconscious your boddy can easely remove your wing. Without buckles it's very difficult.

I'm considering of making a new webbing without buckles now but i'm still open to doubt especially for donning and doffing because my valve of my dry suit is on my upper left arm.

Are there persons who have experience with such kind of dry suits?

thanks in advance,
Steve

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Permalink Reply by Steve Malfait on March 2, 2010 at 8:59am

thanks for the answer

just one remark, did you ever try to cut a webbing? It's very harsh.
I'm also an instructor by CMAS and not all students have a sharp knive (I know they should but that's just reality).
Normally I shouldn't get unconscious of course ;-p

I will adjust my wing with a one-piece webbing without buckles an train a bit to see what comfort this gives me. I'm aware of the pro's and con's of it but never tried it myself and i'm sure the best way to evaluate it is to experience it by myself.

thanks for the advice guys,
Steve

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Permalink Reply by Steve Malfait on March 15, 2010 at 1:22am

made my one-piece webbing this weekend and did a dive. Donning and doffing went very well and valve shut down is a lot easier then before. I will do just some minor adjustments and then it should be fine.

thanks for the tips

grz,
Steve

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Permalink Reply by Vincent Janelle on April 21, 2010 at 3:56pm

I've currently got the cinch on my H backplate, its useful for getting out of the webbing in odd situations when the tank is on a stable surface. I've also used it to successfully remove my gear while floating face down on the surface. I haven't tried to do this at depth yet.

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Permalink Reply by Chris Johnson on April 21, 2010 at 4:17pm

Thanks for the feedback

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Permalink Reply by Kristof Damen on April 22, 2010 at 2:22am

Vincent Janelle said:

I've currently got the cinch on my H backplate, its useful for getting out of the webbing in odd situations when the tank is on a stable surface. I've also used it to successfully remove my gear while floating face down on the surface. I haven't tried to do this at depth yet.

I am not really convinced of the Cinch system. This is a pic one of my students. The armstraps were not adjusted to the same length. I think a well fitted one-piece webbing stays the best choice...

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