Sidemount Harness

[pat coughlan]

Seasons Greetings to all!

Here's is a sidemount harness that I made

Pat

[arturconrad]

Nice!!!
Versatile. I like that tail extension, I was too lazy to make it on my own so I ordered Armadillo one from their CCR sidemounted system (still waiting)
I've got Martyn's one, works fine for me. The only thing I had to replace after 1.5 year were shock cords. Now I have fancy red ones

Pat, if you interested to try your new harness I'll be in Doolin tomorrow, Monday and Tuesday.

[Letz]

Yes, very nice  Well done
Looks like some excellent stitching. That's what prevents me making much successfully. I can't sew for toffee 

I'm not convinced of the need for an armadillo tail yet and I am still working on a sidemount harness that does not V at the neck with only one brace down the back, if possible.

[Kevin Deady]

I really like the pink Pat!! 

[pat coughlan]

Hey Kev Im not afraid to get in touch with my feminine side

Artur I would love to join you but I will be in Cork, I would love to again if you are going.  I have been using the Armadillo with the rebreather and it works great which is the reason I made a copy for the harness.  If you bought from Golem Gear, I have found them pretty prompt with delivery in the past

Letz, I cant sew for toffee either, I got a company in Cork- Anderco Liftging who I bought the webbing from to sew it.  The stainless steel hardware I bought from Makefast in the UK.  The rails for the tail piece I made up from some scrap stainless steel and tig welded them

Cheers Pat

[Penguin]

I solved the sewing problem by doubling-back webbing through tri-glides and DSS shiny bits...  Seems to be working well so far, and is relatively oil-proof... 

[ardhill]

Very impressed Pat, it looks like a nice job.

Er, Artur this is the way yours is supposed to look:


I am just using a modified backplate system at the moment, but it is proving a bit restrictive in the tighter places, so I will need to get one of Martyn's probably.

[BOB1577]

Pat super looking harness, hope you get to try it out soon. I have the transpac a bit modified works great with twin 10 ltrs. Take it easy and safe diving.

[Andrew]

Can I ask what the shock cord is for?

[ardhill]

Can I ask what the shock cord is for?

It holds the neck of the cylinders in.

Unlike open water stages that hang down, sidmounted tanks for cave diving need to be very streamlined. So, the necks are held with the bungee, which pulls the tank necks in below your armpits.

EDIT: See here:
http://www.farrworld.co.uk/gallery/view_photo.php?set_albumName=British-Isles&id=Deep_route_to_20_web

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_LKy9NzxY04M/Rmhj5GZ_6DI/AAAAAAAAAHs/OGUk75_jORM/Side+mount+diver.JPG

http://www.farrworld.co.uk/gallery/view_photo.php?set_albumName=British-Isles&id=Porth_yr_Ogof_upstream

[Letz]

I solved the sewing problem by doubling-back webbing through tri-glides and DSS shiny bits...  Seems to be working well so far, and is relatively oil-proof... 

Yes, and I need to check out some of your creations. I've been trying things with the transpac to make an easy OW sidemount rig (with wing) but it's a bit messy. I may revert back to the old one Digs gave me as I was always comfortable in that but it's pretty unadaptable. I'm wondering about using one of the cutaway KT backplates. I don't want a lot of weight there but it may be okay with the cutaway one.

Let me know if you're over here again soon, we can spend an evening playing with sidemount harnesses then test them out at Vobbie or Wraysbury, depending where I'm living 

[Letz]

Pat super looking harness, hope you get to try it out soon. I have the transpac a bit modified works great with twin 10 ltrs. Take it easy and safe diving.

I've been playing with my Transpac, do you have any photos you'd be willing to share ?
I know Dive-rite do the whole Nomad thing but I have an old style one and have turned it inside out to utilise the back d rings etc but it has all sorts of flappy bits. This is just for OW sidemounts but I'd rather sort for both and I'm sure it could look better
Cheers

[ardhill]

I've been trying things with the transpac to make an easy OW sidemount rig (with wing) but it's a bit messy.

Letz, my backplate based one works just fine and isn't messy. Just as long as you don't have tight holes to get through. There is no problem with the weight of a full plate, I trim out just fine. 

[Letz]

I've been trying things with the transpac to make an easy OW sidemount rig (with wing) but it's a bit messy.

Letz, my backplate based one works just fine and isn't messy. Just as long as you don't have tight holes to get through. There is no problem with the weight of a full plate, I trim out just fine. 

Thanks.
I have found my trim so nice and easy with weighting just on the waist and reckon I could do with less on the back but I'm up for trying a few ideas I have 
I just can't manage getting wet to try them at the moment.

[Andrew]

It holds the neck of the cylinders in.

Thanks Ardhill! Makes sense now!