Mike Nelson's all-web tank harness (with no backplate)

[Kimsey0]

Hi guys;

I have never seen any all web rigs like the ones off SeaHunt on ebay, or any other place... were they custom made for the show, or did Mike just wrap a bunch of webbing up a certain way?
About 7 years ago, I bought a USN bell harness to make a vintage style tank harness with; honestly, its about the only one of that type of pattern I could find at the time, though there might have been one or two simpler vintage harnesses on ebay at the time, of another pattern;
Today, after grabbing these pics, I went outside with a steel 72 and tried to rig up the bell harness in this fashion... and it has worked so far, I might post some pics in a bit.

98551985529855398554

Does anyone have any information on these all web harnesses? I went to vintagedoublehose.com (they've got some great new production harnesses there) and I looked at most of the vintage catalogs, and all of them had some kind of metal band, or backplate *none of them* were like Mikes (all web)

[John C. Ratliff]

These harnesses were available in the 1950s from US Divers Company, I believe. Simonbeans can make a new reproduction of this type of harness for you too. He'll probably come on as soon as he sees this thread to tell you more.

SeaRat

[Doc Ed]

I'll second John's comments, and in addition, provide with the link:

Allan Klauda's Harnesses (http://www.vintagedoublehose.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=25&zenid=c5lp91nakflhuobnr4bs3ce856).

I'm especially enamored with the basket-harness that you're probably looking for (photo taken from a VDH thread (http://www.vintagedoublehose.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=3180) started by Ken):

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y206/simonbeans/Nemrod_22cu_Basket_Harness_11.jpg

[Mike Lev]

I have seen one on ebay way back.It wasn't even a U.S.Divers made one.It was all white.It sold for hundreds.Even some with one metal band have sold for good money.Get one off Simonbeans.

[Lone Frogman]

I'll second John's comments.

I'll third it!

[Kimsey0]

I'm especially enamored with the basket-harness that you're probably looking for (photo taken from a VDH thread (http://www.vintagedoublehose.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=3180) started by Ken):

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y206/simonbeans/Nemrod_22cu_Basket_Harness_11.jpg

Wow, that's a great looking example... so they were from an actual company (or a variety of them) back then. Strange they're so rare; I guess one reason is because most of the backpacks we see (on ebay and such) are from the 70's. I'll keep SimonBeans in mind; right now I've already got a harness (an expensive one) I need to modify:

No Selection MK-20 Mod O Harness (http://tactical.amronintl.com/products.cfm?pageid=5122)

Which I did earlier, I'll try and take some more pics of the modification in the daytime:

Thanks for the information, guys. I also remember an episode where one of the divers on sea hunt had one of these rights, but it was just one strap (instead of an X) running up the middle, or side of the tank, and fastening to something.

[Akimbo]

Wow, that's a great looking example... so they were from an actual company (or a variety of them) back then. Strange they're so rare; ...

I believe there are two reasons they are so rare today. One is they were made from cotton webbing and rotted. The other reason is they just weren’t very comfortable and people saw no reason to clutter up their dive locker once they found a better replacement. A lot of us have tossed enough vintage gear over the years to open a museum. I usually had more of a sense of revenge than nostalgia in mind.

[John C. Ratliff]

I have never seen that Mk-20 Mod 0 Harness, but I would not wear it. The reason...the leg straps are not quick-release. I have a harness I made, which I also patented with parachute-style leg straps. But it has a quick release on each leg. This harness may be difficult in an emergency to get out of. 'Just a thought. The enclosed image is from my patent on the Para-Sea BC.

SeaRat

[Kimsey0]

That's so neat that you patented your own design like that, John; thanks for sharing. Looks interesting... so this was like, modified from what you actually used in pararescue in the 60's?
I'll keep in mind what you said, as well; might add some quick releases, though the current fasteners have similar physical dynamics.

[ZKY]

I cruised around on that site you linked. It looks like it's possible to get an all metal Conshelf still, but not possible to get one of these:
AquaLung Calypso Military Buoyancy Compensator (http://tactical.amronintl.com/products.cfm?pageID=5954&industry=)

[Doc Ed]

I have never seen that Mk-20 Mod 0 Harness, but I would not wear it. The reason...the leg straps are not quick-release. I have a harness I made, which I also patented with parachute-style leg straps. But it has a quick release on each leg. This harness may be difficult in an emergency to get out of. 'Just a thought. The enclosed image is from my patent on the Para-Sea BC.

SeaRat

Y'know John, I've heard you mention the para-sea before, but I've never seen it til now. Looks great!

[drbill]

Used one once... back in the 60s. Uncomfortable. No thanks. I stuck with the backpack style (which were also present in the 60s... I remember mine, even though I was there!)

[duckbill]

I'll second John's comments, and in addition, provide with the link:

Allan Klauda's Harnesses (http://www.vintagedoublehose.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=25&zenid=c5lp91nakflhuobnr4bs3ce856).



Yes, the basket harness. Allan does an excellent job on all his harnesses. I have a basket harness in USD blue and a standard harness with bands in Healthways yellow. I love them both. Right now I am on vacation and they take up virtually no extra room on the cylinder in the back of the car, another advantage. Last week I had the opportunity to make a couple dives using the basket harness at Little Corona del Mar beach before the surf picked up. I don't even notice the cylinder on my back, so to me it is comfortable.

[ZKY]

With a 7mm two piece beavertail wetsuit with a spine pad I could strap a chevy 350 on my back and not feel it.
I like strapping a plain tank on my back, to me there is nothing uncomfortable about it. I even strap a plain tank on my back in a pool with board shorts with no problem.
The tank IS the plate.

[John C. Ratliff]

That's so neat that you patented your own design like that, John; thanks for sharing. Looks interesting... so this was like, modified from what you actually used in pararescue in the 60's?
I'll keep in mind what you said, as well; might add some quick releases, though the current fasteners have similar physical dynamics.

Thanks KimseyO, but no, the Para-Sea concept is a combination of the parachute harness modified to get into it from the rear rather than the front, with a front-mount, wrap-around BC. It is better seen from the side:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y76/yaquinaguy/ClearLakePetrifiedTree.jpg

One of the other PJs built an "Integrated" harness which also included both a parachute harness with a scuba harness. But the Para-Sea concept is independent of the scuba unit, and can be used for free diving whereas the Integrated harness was also the scuba harness. I believe this is a photo of PJ Nick Klimi in the integrated harness.
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y76/yaquinaguy/PJNickKlimisinIntegratedHarness.jpg

I'm still hopeful of getting a few produced, perhaps next year as mine is getting pretty worn now. I also think I can develop some underwater swimming concepts along with the Para-Sea BC which would allow double amputees to swim very, very fast and efficiently in the water (maybe even with double hose regulators).

SeaRat

[SwimJim]

I own two of Allans harnesses. I have a basket and the one with the metal hoops. If your walking around the dock with a tank hanging off your back, I suppose they wouldn't be very comfortable. However underwater, where they are designed to be used, I find them to be very comfortable. At the Sea Hunt 50 event this year I had 6+ hours of bottom time over a 3 day period. That was all using those harnesses. Half the time diving wearing a swim suit! No problem what so ever.

[USdiver1]

I have one of Allan's harnesses for my twin 72 cf rig. They are very comfortable in that form. I have seen his single and even triple rig harnesses in action at Portage. All of us who use them find them quite comfortable and streamlined underwater. With double d-ring releases it means it only takes a few seconds to put on and then voila - you're a fish. Thanks Allan for remanufacturing such a great product

[simonbeans]

Just spent two weeks diving in the 1000 Islands of NY. Dove 8 different wrecks, drift diving, deep stuff, bottle collecting, etc. Double hose with harness the whole time. If you are interested in my harnesses, contact me at aandd_adventures@yahoo.com for complete information including current prices.