Never mind single-piece harnesses.... that the best continuous single-piece sentance I've seen for a while!
Joking aside,... there is a danger that the 'best practice' mind-set within the tech diving community
could lead to novice tech divers being
taught not to think independantly about their equipment choices and configurations.
I think that was certainly true when the DIR mind-set
first hit the internet. It is was an excellent methodology, with a first-class development pedigree and it diligently covered every eventuality. However, it also risked taking decision-making responsibility away from the divers and keeping it within a (
very capapable) minority.
Tech diving is inherently risky. As such, issues like comfort and 'image' should take a second place to function and performance. When tech divers use this equipment and put their lives on the line with it, the experience does make them more 'blow-hard' about issues than a recreational diver ever would be.
It is entirely natural that a section of the recreational market would recognise the benefits of adapting and integrating the tech diving mind-set and 'best practices' into their recreational diving activities. Those people are generally the ones who are concerned about eliminating risk and making their hobby as safe as possible.
It is also true that tech diving has an undeniable 'mystique' amongst the wider recreational diving community. Most recreational divers have little contact with tech diving, other than to occasionally see them on a dive boat or see pictures in dive magazines.
This 'mystique' has developed a trend towards 'lookalike' dive gear. Black equipment and wetsuits are certainly the new 'neon'. Likewise, the equipment manufacturers were not hesitant to 'jump on the bandwagon' and
exploit the 'tech mystique' to increase their sales. However...this isn't through single-piece harnesses. The wannabies don't like them...and probably never heard of them.
What the tech wannabies crave is the 'faux tech' rubbish that flooded the market.
Ask yourself... just how many BCDs, masks, regs, knives are on the market now that have the words 'Tec', 'Tech' or 'Tek' in their names? How many are
black? How may are covered in superfluous D-rings, pockets, bungees etc?
Here's a selection of the dive industry's most most embarrasing 'faux tech' marketed products, that you won't find on the WKPP or hanging from a deco trapeze over the Andrea Doria....
1) The Aquatech Luigi '
Tec'. :shocked2:
8 Stainless Steel Shoulder D-Rings gives this "Tec" BCD many mounting locations
Elastic straps automatically pull in back inflation air-cells when deflated to reduce drag
4 Over Pressure / Dump Valves (Can be configured to suit the divers specific preferences)
2) Scubapro X-
Tek BCD
3) Soprasub Speleo 110 '
Tec' Wing
4) Beuchat Masterlift X-Air
Tek BCD
and last, but not least.... my favorite example of mis-informed, cynical 'faux tech' advertising.....
5) Eagle Z-1 Tech
- The Eagle Z1 Tech: Better Materials, Twice the Features, and 1/2 the Price.
- Designed to function equally well with BOTH single and twin cylinders...
- Created to fill the gap between the "Not enough, and way too much" problem..
- Perfect for the advanced, cold water wreck, cave and tech divers...
- Having enough lift is a big deal, and this provides 60 pounds!
- Automatic Low Risk Wing Retractors have adjustable force and keep your drag low.
- Proven Fully Adjustable Harness with Ten (10) Stainless Steal D-Rings!