Doof
Contributor
I'm heading to Florida to take the Intro to Cave class. I'm trying to figure out the best way to configure my gear for this. So without turning this into a DIR\non DIR debate or resorting to comments like "Buy a BP\Wing", I was wondering if any of you guys could offer some advice.
I do plan on going the doubles\manifold and BP\wing combo this summer before I take Advanced Nitrox & Deco, but money IS limited so until then, I'm stuck with some sort of combination rec\tech configuration.
Here's what I have and how it's configured right now.
Jacket-style BCD carrying a 104 with an H-Valve.
On the center valve, I have an Apeks ATX-200 that has a regular length second stage on a bungie necklace. This regulator also has the BC inflator hose and a Suunto Cobra attached. The first stage is turned so that all hoses are angled downwards. And the Cobra has a clip on that I attach to small d-ring on the right hand side of my body. So the whole things stays pretty tight to my body, and I can still read it when I need to.
On the right hand valve, I have another Apeks ATX-200 that has a 7 foot hose attached to the second stage. I also have my drysuit inflator hose attached. This first stage is also rotated so that the hoses angle downwards.
Because the BCD didn't have any shoulder D-rings, I sewed 2 small d-rings on that I have my two backup lights clipped to. The backup lights are also bungied down so that they don't float off of my body. Any advice on how to keep the bungies from sliding around?
I'm currently using a Dive-Rite weight & trim system for my weight belt, and I have a canister light that attaches to the belt.
Let's see... I've used duct tape on my mask & fins to keep the danglies in check... what else?
Oh, reels. What should I do with the reel?
Here's a quick rundown of potential attachment points.
Any ideas on where to attach the reel?
Any suggestions in general?
Other questions:
Keep in mind that this is pretty much a temporary fix just to get me through the intro class. But I would like to do it as best as possible.
I really can't wait to get bp\wing... it's going to make all this stuff SO much easier.
I do plan on going the doubles\manifold and BP\wing combo this summer before I take Advanced Nitrox & Deco, but money IS limited so until then, I'm stuck with some sort of combination rec\tech configuration.
Here's what I have and how it's configured right now.
Jacket-style BCD carrying a 104 with an H-Valve.
On the center valve, I have an Apeks ATX-200 that has a regular length second stage on a bungie necklace. This regulator also has the BC inflator hose and a Suunto Cobra attached. The first stage is turned so that all hoses are angled downwards. And the Cobra has a clip on that I attach to small d-ring on the right hand side of my body. So the whole things stays pretty tight to my body, and I can still read it when I need to.
On the right hand valve, I have another Apeks ATX-200 that has a 7 foot hose attached to the second stage. I also have my drysuit inflator hose attached. This first stage is also rotated so that the hoses angle downwards.
Because the BCD didn't have any shoulder D-rings, I sewed 2 small d-rings on that I have my two backup lights clipped to. The backup lights are also bungied down so that they don't float off of my body. Any advice on how to keep the bungies from sliding around?
I'm currently using a Dive-Rite weight & trim system for my weight belt, and I have a canister light that attaches to the belt.
Let's see... I've used duct tape on my mask & fins to keep the danglies in check... what else?
Oh, reels. What should I do with the reel?
Here's a quick rundown of potential attachment points.
- Shoulder d-rings : Attached by me. Pretty small, and currently being used to hold backup lights.
- Shoulder strap d-rings : Dangle too far away from body after the straps have been pulled tight.
- BC "pocket" (not in the pocket - right next to it) d-rings : The one on the right has my Cobra attached to it. The one on the left is free.
- There's another d-ring at the bottom left hand side of the BC.
- Plus I also have a pipe-clamp with D-Rings on it that I can attach to the tank.
Any ideas on where to attach the reel?
Any suggestions in general?
Other questions:
- Should anything be done with the dangly BC straps?
- Any good place to mount a pair of scissors? Currently they're mounted on the left shoulder strap underneath the the inflator hose, but on top of the one of the backup lights.
Keep in mind that this is pretty much a temporary fix just to get me through the intro class. But I would like to do it as best as possible.
I really can't wait to get bp\wing... it's going to make all this stuff SO much easier.