Shoulder release in BP/W

[Akimbo]

After looking at this Golem buckle a little more I am not sure it would work as well as a cam buckle in this application — more secure but harder to use. From my perspective, the purpose of a shoulder release on a harness that tightens the shoulder by pulling the belly-band is for easy doffing. This buckle looks like it requires two hands to release and would be difficult to do in the water “by feel” wearing gloves. One hand operation is really desirable, especially in high currents where you need one hand for a drift line.

[akscubainst]

I just take a steel weight belt buckle and but it below the d-ring on the rib area. It's perfectly strong been doing it for years with singles, doubles, and the rebreather. It's totally out of the way of stages an everything else and it's like $10.

[rhwestfall]

I just take a steel weight belt buckle and but it below the d-ring on the rib area. It's perfectly strong been doing it for years with singles, doubles, and the rebreather. It's totally out of the way of stages an everything else and it's like $10.

on the bottom or top (is the tag [a.k.a. "free"] end from the shoulder or the waist?)

[akscubainst]

I put my buckle on the waist side so that I can reach over with my right hand and flip it up to open.

[Rhone Man]

For reasons that are non-negotiable and that I don't care to go into, I'm looking at putting a shoulder release into one of my backplates.

On my older backpacks that I dive without a crotchstrap, I use a release because I keep the shoulder straps much tighter. However, on those I use a weight belt buckle on the left shoulder, released by pulling down towards my chest. With a wing attached, I'm not sure this would be effective because of the inflator hose. So, I'm considering putting it on my right shoulder. I've gone through in my mind everything that might catch on it and it seems like it wouldn't be so bad. Comments? Alternate suggestions?

Plastic quick releases are probably not an option because I have something like three days to get this sorted, which pretty much limits me to scissors+buckle solutions. It's a shame because I actually have a 'deluxe harness' lying around, but it's in storage too far away to deal with in time.

[lof]

After looking at this Golem buckle a little more I am not sure it would work as well as a cam buckle in this application — more secure but harder to use. From my perspective, the purpose of a shoulder release on a harness that tightens the shoulder by pulling the belly-band is for easy doffing. This buckle looks like it requires two hands to release and would be difficult to do in the water “by feel” wearing gloves. One hand operation is really desirable, especially in high currents where you need one hand for a drift line.

Actually the Golem G2 harness is easy to release with one hand. Just lift the tab and the buckle will slide open.

[Jim Lapenta]

Looks like I have a new project for the waterjet to try out. Anyone care to send some dimensions? Or I'll just wing it.

[rhwestfall]

Looks like I have a new project for the waterjet to try out. Anyone care to send some dimensions? Or I'll just wing it.

I think you need to make a couple.....

[rongoodman]

If you're going to do it, go with the Golem harness.

[*Floater*]

Here's one if you don't like plastic.

i'd put the quick-release above the d-ring if you clip a backup light to it secured with bike tire bands (DIR style). Otherwise the quick-release could be in the way of the backup light or whatever else you clip there. fwiw, i have a regular plastic quick-release on an otherwise hog harness, but this one looks a lot nicer (they didn't have these metal ones when I rigged mine).