BigTuna:That's what I said: "I suspect a Hog rig would shine in this area." I didn't know first hand (my rig's not a Hog), so I'm glad for your confirmation.
Could you explain how you handle the details rapidly? Isn't there just a little fumbling to locate the crotch strap, feed the buckle thru it, then close the buckle?
What's your experience (or feeling) with somebody getting you out of your Hog for a tow if you're unresponsive? How can they shrug you out of it without drowning you?
BigTuna, when you said suspect, I thought you mean you "think it might not shine". Point clarified.
When gearing up, I would first place my arms half way through the shoulder straps. Then position myself lower than the stand my rig is sitting on. I then just stand up carefully and the rig now simply rides on my back as my arms run through the shoulder straps fully. While standing, I simply bend a tiny bit to locate the cotch strap and feed the bucklet thru it as you said. Once the buckles are closed, check to ensure the attachment of the spg on my left hip D-ring, put on my bungied backup regulator and route the long hose primary accordingly.
Since I am a fairly large person, the standing portion of the gearing up isn't a problem to me at all.
Regarding your question about playing victim with the hog rig, I have to say that I do not have the experience. When I was doing my rescue diver course, I was then using the TransPlate so quick-releases are there. With my current hog rig, I would simply tell people to cut the shoulder straps with the knife sitting next to the stainless buckle. When I am out there to assist rescue classes, I don't use my BP+Wing since the students won't be familiar with such setup (since BP+Wing is still pretty rare in the local diving community) and I don't want people actually cutting my harness up just for the scenerio practice. But when I go out diving for leisure, I would make sure the people I am diving with are acknowledge on how to get me out of my rig in emergencies.