Bpw setup for Fundies

[Marie13]

I jury rigged a sternum strap out of some medium thick bungee cord and a large bolt snap. It’s between my D-rings (I have two sets). No matter how tight or loose my shoulder straps are, it’s always sliding off my left shoulder. This is a problem I’ve had all my life. ALL straps slide off my left shoulder.

This type probably wouldn’t work for you with Fundies, but it’s an example of what you can come up with.

I second the recommendation of the Halcyon webbing.

 

[Zef]

Add it and if the instructor balks about it you can either remove it or find a different instructor. No big deal.

Or make a custom sternum strap out of some 1-inch webbing and a couple of bolt snaps and use a couple of triglides like the one you linked to and use it on land but stash it in a pocket while diving: HOG 2in Tech Triglide with Fixed D-Ring

-Z

 

[taimen]

I agree. If I’m going to take Fundies, I should accept it’s philosophy totally. And even my husband has agreed to this, but we’re talking about a physical “impairment”, not something he can overcome.

I hope that you can solve that with your instructor. GUE philosophy has a built in attitude that diving is not for everyone and their configuration and protocols are unquestionable. Thus inability to use standard configuration may prevent passing Fundamentals. This dogmatism somewhat bothers me but I have decided to pass the Fundalmentals before I make my mind.

 

[stuartv]

agree. If I’m going to take Fundies, I should accept it’s philosophy totally. And even my husband has agreed to this, but we’re talking about a physical “impairment”, not something he can overcome. I would be very sad if I cannot take Fundies with him.

Will he be able to reach his tank valves?

The goal should be to learn, not "to pass". Even if he goes in knowing he won't be able to achieve a Rec pass, that should not stop him from taking it (or them stop him from taking it) and learning a lot.

 

[Dogbowl]

Will he be able to reach his tank valves?

The goal should be to learn, not "to pass". Even if he goes in knowing he won't be able to achieve a Rec pass, that should not stop him from taking it (or them stop him from taking it) and learning a lot.

I don’t see any reason why he wouldn’t be able to reach his tank valves. He has sloping shoulders, not a mobility problem.

 

[Grey Goose]

There are three GUE instructors in Ontario: Toronto, St Catherines, Brock/Ottawa area. Any one of them would offer you advice if asked. (Contact info on GUE website). The Toronto instructor, Heison, has been at the Scuba Swap the last few years and has put on a harness fitting clinic. Not sure what his plans are this year, but the Swap is at the end of the month.
ScubaSwap.org - Home

 

[tbone1004]

@Dogbowl it was just a question that you had a good answer to

Email the instructor and let them know the details. I highly doubt they'll let it go with a Transpac, but what they may let you do is use a standard hog harness and replace the shoulder triglides with one of these
2

With that, you can easily make a chest strap from a piece of bungee or gold line and a bolt snap like many use on their sidemount rigs. Just tie it to one side, typically the left shoulder, then put a bolt snap on the other and clip it in. If you're going to get any approval for some sort of chest strap, it's going to be that one

 

[Dogbowl]

I think the answer to my question is: settle on an instructor and ask him/her!

Thanks guys!!!

 

[stuartv]

I don’t see any reason why he wouldn’t be able to reach his tank valves. He has sloping shoulders, not a mobility problem.

Ah. From this:

it’s horribly uncomfortable for him to keep the straps up by shrugging his shoulders

I thought he must have a mobility problem.

I re-read that older thread. Did you ever try this suggestion from that thread?

one of the common solutions to that is to cross the shoulder straps behind the diver. This will stop that from happening. Very common solution, though only possible if you are tall enough that they can cross easily.

I also have very sloping shoulders (but, nobody would describe me as slender). That is why I thought, for a while, that I needed a sternum strap. It did the job. But, I eventually figured out that I needed to make some other adjustments and when I finally got it dialed in, I took the sternum strap off and discovered that I was fine without it.

 

[Dogbowl]

Ah. From this:



I thought he must have a mobility problem.

I re-read that older thread. Did you ever try this suggestion from that thread?



I also have very sloping shoulders (but, nobody would describe me as slender). That is why I thought, for a while, that I needed a sternum strap. It did the job. But, I eventually figured out that I needed to make some other adjustments and when I finally got it dialed in, I took the sternum strap off and discovered that I was fine without it.

Haha, he shrugs his shoulders to keep his straps from slipping off.

He hasn't tried that, no. But knowing him, he will flat out refuse, and that will put my dream of doing Fundies into jeopardy!