I would like to know if there are any PSD teams that do not use (require) a harness when diving.
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I am surprised that more public safety divers don't adopt the technical gear configuration.I've tried for years believe me! The 2 just don't work that well together. For that reason my tech gear and PSD gear is totally different - need the right tool for the job/activity
I get the impression that oneshotshooter does not understand that a safety harness is expected to be capable of holding the diver when either a strain from current or lifting of the diver is encountered. It is not a "where do I hang this tool" harness as most technical divers need. Thus I agree with bridgediver and his failed atempt to mess the two systems.
Until some one makes a scuba back pack with a Navy MK 20/21 or a bell type harness integrated into it. The two will most probably stay as two seporate items that a fully trained PSD diver will be dealing with.
I am not attaching to a ring on a BC. My full body harness is capable of lifting me with my gear on. Maybe you are not familiar with the type of harness that goes along with the back plate and wings. For me, the two work as one.
I understand people always say that you need a harness in case you need to ditch your gear. Why would I ditch my gear?
All that aside there is a remote possibility that a diver will need to ditch gear, pull the redundant bottle and surface if he is fouled so bad. We really would rather not risk loosing contact with the diver if this was to occur. Don't forget that the PSD environment is usually more entanglement rich than any other diving environment and he may be alone (no buddy diving).
I can think of at least 1 incident in NJ where a diver got so badly tangled in a drift net that he had to pull his redundant supply and ditch the rest.