BP/W Crotch Strap -- is it really necessary ?

[JohnN]

OK, so I only have 30 dives on my HOG BP/W, but what purpose does the crotch strap serve?

I understand if I ever use a scooter (not in the plans), I'd hook in there, and I could add another "D" near the BP and hang something off my back there (again not likely).

The strap is a little loose now (about 1-2" of slack), but I've never felt it tug or serve any purpose. The BP seems to stay nicely attached to my back without it.

Am I missing something?

 

[halocline]

It really helps at the surface when the wing is fully inflated.

 

[Akimbo]

It depends on your body type and gear. I have never needed one, even for my deadman/rescue ring to be effective or in the Sea Hunt era straps on doubles. If you suspect that it serves no purpose, just don’t hook it up or leave it very loose for a few dives to test the theory in your situation. Simpler is easier so remove it if it proves not to have value.

 

[CT Sean]

If it works without it,then you should feel free to not use it. I always use mine, other than once when I forgot to clip it. I honestly never noticed it not connected.

 

[fnfalman]

For non-scootering dives, the crotch strap doesn't really offer much unless you do acrobatics under the water. That way it'd keep the whole BC tight to your body.

I've done BC removal drills where after re-donning the BC, I couldn't find the damn crotchstrap because it got stuck elsewhere, I just buckled the waist belt and kept on trucking without any loss in performance.

By the time I get to the surface, my tank is empty enough that I don't even need to inflate my BC at all to float.

Where the crotchstrap really comes in handy is when I dive and play with the sea lion pups. All the sommersalts and twistings...

 

[Peter_C]

Since I tend to leave my shoulder straps looser to allow easier donning and doffing, I use the crotch strap to pull them tighter. Therefore I can't imagine not have a crotch strap. Plus I use a scooter for about half my dives. It also gives me another d-ring to clip my reel off to, when descending down the anchor line.

A crotch strap is not needed for some people.

 

[Doppler]

As Peter "said" above, for those of us who wear the shoulder harness loose or who use a scooter, a crotch strap does serve a purpose. I no longer wear doubles and with a CCR leave it off unless on a scooter. With OC sidemount, it helps to keep the rest of my rig in place.

Bottom line is to be comfortable.

 

[dbulmer]

I once did some dives in Bonaire where I forgot to bring my crotch strap. While I was able to manage without it, in my case I found that the AL80 tank would move upwards a bit particularly towards the end of the dive.

For me the crotch strap keeps everything together and I never notice it is there.

 

[Akimbo]

Since I tend to leave my shoulder straps looser to allow easier donning and doffing, I use the crotch strap to pull them tighter...

That is why I prefer a harness that slides through the lower slots. The shoulder straps tighten by pulling the belly-band, but are loose to don or doff. Shoulder straps that have individual length adjusters seem overly complex to me.

A shoulder release on one side was very common in the mid-1960s-1980s, but the argument against them as a failure point is valid. For lower slots to work properly they have to provide significant resistance to sliding when there is tension on the shoulder straps. They should only pull through with some resistance when the weight is off the straps. The buckle failure would be too problematic if straps slide too easily, especially under load.

Although this could be considered off-topic, it points out that the whole harness is a system centered on the individual. Small changes can have significant effects.

 

[Darnold9999]

Absolutely- to provide hours of entertainment for your fellow divers when you forget to do it up and it catches on something in the boat as you backroll into the water.