articles search
Fitting Your Back Plate and Harness
12/26/2008 - By Dr. Bill Creasy - SDUA President and Training Director To take full advantage of your back plate and harness it must be properly fitted, and this involves a seven-step process.
Step #1: Make sure that the single piece of
ballistic nylon webbing is properly threaded through the stainless
steel or aluminum back plate, and that the stainless steel buckle and
hardware are properly attached and positioned.
Step #2: Loosen the straps and slip the unit on,
making sure that it is centered vertically on the spine and that the
top of the back plate is just under the large vertebrae at the base of
the neck. Properly positioned, you should be able to touch the top of
the back plate comfortably.
?Ǭ�
Step #3: Tighten the shoulder straps so they are
snug, but not too tight. To check the tightness, bend over at the
waist. You should be able to slip the palm of your hand under the
shoulder straps easily. Make sure that each shoulder strap is exactly
the same length.
?Ǭ�
Step #4: Position the shoulder strap D-rings at the
hollow between the base of your collarbone and the top of your pectoral
muscle. With your eyes closed and your arms at your sides, you should
be able to bend your arms up at the elbow and hook your thumbs through
the D-rings. The D-rings should be exactly parallel to each other.
?Ǭ�
Step #5: Slip your knife sheath on to the left
waist strap and rethread the stainless steel buckle on to the strap.
Adjust the waistband so that it is just below your belly button, and
tighten it so that it is snug, but not too tight, with the buckle right
of center. Adjust the left hip D-ring so that it is directly beneath
your left shoulder, centered on the lateral axis of your body.
Step #6: Adjust the crotch strap so that it is
snug, but not too tight. If you do not plan on using a DPV (Diver
Propulsion Vehicle, or scooter), thread the crotch strap through the
front D-ring and adjust the rear D-ring so that it is even with the
base of your gas cylinders. Unbuckle the waistband, slip the buckle
through the crotch strap and retighten the waistband. The whole system
should feel secure and comfortable.
?Ǭ�
Step #7: Fine-tune your adjustments, making sure
that all hardware is properly positioned and that the unit is snug, but
not too tight. When you achieve a proper fit, you may trim the right
tail of the waistband.
Once properly fitted, your back plate and harness comprise the core of
your diving system, the foundation upon which your configuration is
built.
