I am looking to find a good Class 3 five point harness which I can use for diving. The harness must be able to do two things. First is must be rated to lift me and all of my gear out of the water. No we do not do helicopter operations but if for some reason I had to be pulled or whatever I want it rated. It must also be able to have weights integrated into it. Picture a DUI weight harness that is a five point class 3 harness which could lift me out of the water. It should also be easy to get into and be fairly simple. I know I am asking a lot but hey this is my life we are talking about.
So some explanation.
1. First off I do not like the current velcro chest harness. It is not a life safety device in my opinion. If I never use the lifting feature of my new harness at least I will have piece of mind that I am wearing a true life safety device. Also a 5 point harness that is adjustable can be made to fit me perfectly.
2. Easy to get on is obvious for PSD. TIME!! (I have found in my searches that harnesses with different color webbing looks like they would be less confusion about putting on take a looke below)
3. As for the weight issue here is what I am thinking. I currently dive with a Zeagle Ranger BC and I utilize the integrated weight pouches. Initially I had all weight in the pouches but over time working with bouyancy and trim I have moved a lot of weight to the rear bc area with the Zeagle rear weight bags. This has done a couple things for me. First off it has made my rig more balanced and I find that I have very little problem keeping horizontal. It has also helped me on the surface without having to kick to keep a vertical position. What I do not like is if I get into a situation where I have to drop my BC. As soon as I separate I become a rocket ship to the surface. If I am caught in a over head hazard swimming downward could be very difficult if I am so very positive. What I am strving for is to make myself neutral to slightly negative with my dry suit and harness. This was I could swim down and out of the overhead hazard. Also if I make my BC/Tank slightly negative to neutral with 500 psi of air then even if I had a BC failure I could still swim my gear to the surface by just droping my weight on my harness.
Well I hope I have explained myself if not please ask for clarification especially about my idea on weight distribution. Here are six of the top contenders for harnesses that I have found so far. Please let me know if there are any other out there to check out and please give me your thoughts!!
Thanks
Mark
Rock 'n' Rescue helio NFPA class III harness
http://www.adrenalindreams.com/catalog-harnesses.html
Pros: Easy to don/Adjustable/No rear or shoulder D-ring Cons: Not sure if weight easily added on/only one waist connection point I would like chest connection.
Yates NFPA Full Body Class III
http://www.ahsrescue.com/pc-859-74-yates-nfpa-full-body-class-iii.aspx
Pros: Adjustable/Weights would go on belt/two connection points/no rear or shoulder d-rings Cons: Not sure how easy it is to don/not sure about two piece system and how it would work.
RescueTECH OBSERVER Rope Access Rescue Harness
http://www.rescuetech1.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=899
Pros:Looks easy to Don/Adustable/Weigt pouches on waist belt Cons: Rear d ring/lot of padding not necessary
Pros: Weigt pouches easily installed on belt area Cons: D ring on back for lifting only No rating(i.e NFPA)/not a lot of information all around/not sure about fit/comfort/adjustability.
Life Saving Systems #518 Dive-SAR Harness
http://www.lifesavingsystems.com/product_pages/harness1_3.htm
Pros: This harness is supposedly designed for divers/ weights could go on waist belt/looks adjustable Cons: Chest connection looks lose/all black could make it hard to don quickly/no other d rings for line connection and the chest may not be the best.
CMC ProSeries SRT Harness
http://www.cmcrescue.com/product.php?CatalogID=1&dept_id=20663&rootNode=0&pid=20319http://www.cmcrescue.com/product.php?catalogID=1&dept_id=20755&rootNode=0&pid=20319
Pros: This one looks the most promising. Looks easy to don/ two front attachment/Weights on waist belt/adjustable Cons: Rear D ring
So some explanation.
1. First off I do not like the current velcro chest harness. It is not a life safety device in my opinion. If I never use the lifting feature of my new harness at least I will have piece of mind that I am wearing a true life safety device. Also a 5 point harness that is adjustable can be made to fit me perfectly.
2. Easy to get on is obvious for PSD. TIME!! (I have found in my searches that harnesses with different color webbing looks like they would be less confusion about putting on take a looke below)
3. As for the weight issue here is what I am thinking. I currently dive with a Zeagle Ranger BC and I utilize the integrated weight pouches. Initially I had all weight in the pouches but over time working with bouyancy and trim I have moved a lot of weight to the rear bc area with the Zeagle rear weight bags. This has done a couple things for me. First off it has made my rig more balanced and I find that I have very little problem keeping horizontal. It has also helped me on the surface without having to kick to keep a vertical position. What I do not like is if I get into a situation where I have to drop my BC. As soon as I separate I become a rocket ship to the surface. If I am caught in a over head hazard swimming downward could be very difficult if I am so very positive. What I am strving for is to make myself neutral to slightly negative with my dry suit and harness. This was I could swim down and out of the overhead hazard. Also if I make my BC/Tank slightly negative to neutral with 500 psi of air then even if I had a BC failure I could still swim my gear to the surface by just droping my weight on my harness.
Well I hope I have explained myself if not please ask for clarification especially about my idea on weight distribution. Here are six of the top contenders for harnesses that I have found so far. Please let me know if there are any other out there to check out and please give me your thoughts!!
Thanks
Mark
Rock 'n' Rescue helio NFPA class III harness
http://www.adrenalindreams.com/catalog-harnesses.html
Pros: Easy to don/Adjustable/No rear or shoulder D-ring Cons: Not sure if weight easily added on/only one waist connection point I would like chest connection.
Yates NFPA Full Body Class III
http://www.ahsrescue.com/pc-859-74-yates-nfpa-full-body-class-iii.aspx
Pros: Adjustable/Weights would go on belt/two connection points/no rear or shoulder d-rings Cons: Not sure how easy it is to don/not sure about two piece system and how it would work.
RescueTECH OBSERVER Rope Access Rescue Harness
http://www.rescuetech1.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=899
Pros:Looks easy to Don/Adustable/Weigt pouches on waist belt Cons: Rear d ring/lot of padding not necessary
Global Tethered Diving Harness
http://www.scubacenter.com/safety_and_rescue/Rescue_Equipment/Tethered_Diving_Harnesses.htmPros: Weigt pouches easily installed on belt area Cons: D ring on back for lifting only No rating(i.e NFPA)/not a lot of information all around/not sure about fit/comfort/adjustability.
Life Saving Systems #518 Dive-SAR Harness
http://www.lifesavingsystems.com/product_pages/harness1_3.htm
Pros: This harness is supposedly designed for divers/ weights could go on waist belt/looks adjustable Cons: Chest connection looks lose/all black could make it hard to don quickly/no other d rings for line connection and the chest may not be the best.
CMC ProSeries SRT Harness
http://www.cmcrescue.com/product.php?CatalogID=1&dept_id=20663&rootNode=0&pid=20319http://www.cmcrescue.com/product.php?catalogID=1&dept_id=20755&rootNode=0&pid=20319
Pros: This one looks the most promising. Looks easy to don/ two front attachment/Weights on waist belt/adjustable Cons: Rear D ring