Two straps, one tank

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Blue982

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Location
Seattle, WA
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50 - 99
Hey everyone,

So I've seen some people with two straps attaching their tank to their BC. I assume it's for trim (less tank movement relative to the BC.) Are there any other benefits? Are there certain BCs you would want to (or not want to) add a second strap to?

I've tried to search for previous threads but I'm not really sure what this would be called and so I was unsuccessful.

Cheers and thanks in advance
 
Redundancy and stabilty are the primary advantages.

Welcome to SB.
 
Thanks! I'm diving a Sherwood Axis, can a second strap be fitted to it?
 
Hey everyone,

So I've seen some people with two straps attaching their tank to their BC. I assume it's for trim (less tank movement relative to the BC.) Are there any other benefits? Are there certain BCs you would want to (or not want to) add a second strap to?

I've tried to search for previous threads but I'm not really sure what this would be called and so I was unsuccessful.

Cheers and thanks in advance

I often observed people loosing their tanks (well, not really loosing due to the hoses, but getting in serious distress). I would say that's the most frequent serious distress situation I have witnessed in recreational diving. Partially because of hurry on deck of large dive boats, partially because of inexperience or ignorance of the divers themselfes.

In virtually all cases, they had BCD with only one cam band. So in my opinion, two cam bands is one of the most useful redundancies. I would recommend it for all BCD that can accept a second band. Just look closely if the integrated backplate has a second pair of slots allowing to thread one.

I even added one to the Mares Vector Origin of my wife. Which, btw, is one of the most simple and inexpensive, but nevertheless functional and durable BCDs out there. She's happy using it for 10 years now, doesn't want a BP/W :wink:

Stability is another reason: If you look closely, you can occasionally see divers with their tank slightly diagonal across their back. Maybe it's to look cool, but I'm afraid rather not :wink:
 
Some of it depends on the BC. Many single strap models use a "cradle" usually lined with a gripping material. A single strap can then hold the tank quite securely. If you try to add a second strap, even if there is a space, the locations may not be too useful. For example it could be so high as to slip off the curved top portion of the tank.

Two strap models often lack the cradle and need two straps for stability. The best way to prevent tank slippage is to use care in clamping the tank. Even two straps will not make up for sloppy pre-dive preparation.
 
I love the two straps on my Ranger. Never have to worry about slippage.
 
I have a Tusa BCD with only one strap,which i feel very secure with, and dare i say if the equipment is put together correctly then there should be no problems?, i have been diving for 10 years with one strap bcd's of one form or another and not lost a tank?.
But when all is said and done it all come's down to what you are most happy with.
 
I think 2 straps are nice for the previously mentioned reasons, but not necessary. I think it's more important that if you have one strap it's a high quality one. I've seen lots of tanks slide down during the dive (especially people who tend to dive vertically) and have seen plastic ones break. I really like the SP style cam bands. Once locked down I have never seen one come loose during the dive (however, I have personally not locked down the strap and jumped in and that did not work so well :D)
 
I've seen too many one strappers have their regs pulled from their mouths by tanks falling out of the strap.
Two is wayyyyy better.
 
Most tank straps are poorly designed and don't hold well. You really need two straps to ensure the tank doesn't drop out. If you have Scubapro straps, you don't need a second, they hold really weel.
 
https://www.shearwater.com/products/swift/

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