boltsnap clipping

[Joris Vd]

Hello everyone,

I was just wondering, why are boltsnaps clipped off in a way that the lever part is pointed to the front?
Doesn't this make them an entanglement hazard as well, making them able to hook into thin line?

As a novice diver, I'm sure there's a proper reason for it, but at the moment it seems so illogical to me that if we're using boltsnaps to reduce entanglement risk, we're gonna clip them off facing to the front anyway, which in turn increases entanglement risk again? There's also an extra snag point at the lever basically that we create by clipping the boltsnap facing forward no?

Same goes for a carabiner, if you'd just clip it in reverse, wouldn't it fix the entanglement risk?

I'm not saying boltsnaps are not good, I'm just confused as to why we're supposed to clip the facing forwards.
Happy to receive answers and feedback

 

[cool_hardware52]

Hello everyone,

I was just wondering, why are boltsnaps clipped off in a way that the lever part is pointed to the front?
Doesn't this make them an entanglement hazard as well, making them able to hook into thin line?

As a novice diver, I'm sure there's a proper reason for it, but at the moment it seems so illogical to me that if we're using boltsnaps to reduce entanglement risk, we're gonna clip them off facing to the front anyway, which in turn increases entanglement risk again? There's also an extra snag point at the lever basically that we create by clipping the boltsnap facing forward no?
View attachment 459666


Same goes for a carabiner, if you'd just clip it in reverse, wouldn't it fix the entanglement risk?

I'm not saying boltsnaps are not good, I'm just confused as to why we're supposed to clip the facing forwards.
Happy to receive answers and feedback

For chest drings clipping up and out using your thumb to operate the gate is much, much easier than in and down. Being able to reliably clip off one handed is a necessary skill.

The only thing I clip "in" are back up lights. This helps inadvertent removal.

Tobin

 

[Joris Vd]

For chest drings clipping up and out using your thumb to operate the gate is much, much easier than in and down. Being able to reliably clip off one handed is a necessary skill.

The only thing I clip "in" are back up lights. This helps inadvertent removal.

Tobin

well it seems so obvious now that you say it. Thanks very much for the answer!

 

[Beau640]

I was always trained to clip bolt snaps in and down so that the opening/lever faces my body, never out to the environment. Interesting to see others were trained differently. I agree up and out is easier to do, but in my opinion in and down with the lever/opening facing you is more protected and less of an entanglement issue. With practice, you can easily do in and down one handed (that's all i do).

 

[Kharon]

I clip them which ever is easiest. I was never taught anything about the "right" way.

When pulling up milfoil mats, cleaning ice fishing gear from lakes and fishing line from around docks I've never gotten entangled. But then I'm fully aware and focused on what I'm doing - and I've got 2-3 cutting tools available as well as a disposal bag.

As an aside, I think the single most useless and greatest entanglement hazard anywhere is the dive flag line. Useless because almost no one around here understands what it is, stands off the required distance, and way too many jetskiers treat it as a plaything. A hazard because It's more of an invitation to draw vessels in than to keep me safe. And it eliminates one hand from being useful, increases task loading, and is an ever present entanlgement waiting to happen that I carry along even when not needed (15 feet down and deeper). Wish I could just shoot a DSMB when I'm surfacing.

 

[lowviz]

...//... the single most useless and greatest entanglement hazard anywhere is the dive flag line. Useless ...

You got that right...

 

[JohnnyC]

What Tobin said. in-to-out except backup lights. Realistically anything that you are clipping is going to be more "in the way" than the boltsnap. If you clip off your primary, it will hang down some amount. If it's a stage or deco bottle, the bottle will be hanging down. Your SPG will be sticking out farther than the tab on the bolt snap. Etc.

Sure, sometimes weird stuff happens, but realistically speaking, in-to-out is the most functional and efficient way with very minimal risk.

 

[Kevrumbo]

 

[Jack Hammer]

In the real world, I've probably had my SPG snag more than anything, followed closely by my P valve, and a very very verryy distant third goes to the light cord. Even then it was only in low silty areas. The only thing bottles seem to snag is my light cord, every chance they get...

 

[divad]

It was a good question. Thanks. I've been autonomicaly doing it, as in the above video, so long I forgot that I'm doing it that way, and why.