Which sidemount harness is best for the really low stuff?

[tj]

I've got numerous sidemount rigs for different caves, tanks, and breather combinations. There is no ONE rig good for everything. So I would recommend you get a rig that best suits where you are going to be diving and the tanks you are going to be using for your next 100 or so cave dives. Then, when you start progressing into 'lower' caves, you can get another rig, or modify the one you've been using.

[OutOfTest]

I've got a Farrworld harness with a xdeep wing that's removable underwater.

I was faced with quite a unique situation a while ago in a cave in that the dive consisted of:

Free fall shaft to 70ft depth
Slow descent to 200ft
Swimming for 2000ft
Then there was a 20ft long squeeze approximately 7inches high at 200ft depth.

So I dove down placing deco and stage bottles. Just before the squeeze, I removed helmet and wing and placed into a bag and clipped it to the line.

Both cylinders came off, leaving just my suit inflate on.

I dove through holding both cylinders and laying line with no light (primary light canisters aren't helpful)

Once I felt the cave enlarge, I belated the reel, returned to my bag and exited.

Dive two, same scenario except in stead of laying line through, I took the bag through, put wing and helmet back on and carried on exploring.

Is that the kind of low you're looking for?


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[inverted_bear]

I've got a Farrworld harness with a xdeep wing that's removable underwater.

I was faced with quite a unique situation a while ago in a cave in that the dive consisted of:

Free fall shaft to 70ft depth
Slow descent to 200ft
Swimming for 2000ft
Then there was a 20ft long squeeze approximately 7inches high at 200ft depth.

So I dove down placing deco and stage bottles. Just before the squeeze, I removed helmet and wing and placed into a bag and clipped it to the line.

Both cylinders came off, leaving just my suit inflate on.

I dove through holding both cylinders and laying line with no light (primary light canisters aren't helpful)

Once I felt the cave enlarge, I belated the reel, returned to my bag and exited.

Dive two, same scenario except in stead of laying line through, I took the bag through, put wing and helmet back on and carried on exploring.

Is that the kind of low you're looking for?


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Hopefully a few years down the road

[OutOfTest]

Moral of the story really is:

Once it gets properly tight. You can't wear any wing. So removable wings are always good.

Back mounted weights, such as on an xdeep harness, whilst amazing for trim, really aren't very clever.

Big fancy things such as the hollis etc, whilst great at being big and fancy and diving in big fancy places. Don't like the grotty tight stuff.

Things such as suit inflate and light canisters need special consideration.

Things such as safety spools, reels etc need special consideration.

Things in pockets *can* need special consideration.

Oh, and weight yourself to stay neutral in your suit with enough air to move around in. Not neutral with cylinders on. Otherwise, when you take cylinders off, you're going to have a bad day.



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[FW]

Moral of the story really is:

Once it gets properly tight. You can't wear any wing. So removable wings are always good.

Back mounted weights, such as on an xdeep harness, whilst amazing for trim, really aren't very clever.

Big fancy things such as the hollis etc, whilst great at being big and fancy and diving in big fancy places. Don't like the grotty tight stuff.

Things such as suit inflate and light canisters need special consideration.

Things such as safety spools, reels etc need special consideration.

Things in pockets *can* need special consideration.

Oh, and weight yourself to stay neutral in your suit with enough air to move around in. Not neutral with cylinders on. Otherwise, when you take cylinders off, you're going to have a bad day.



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I told y'all these guys were the experts for tight places

[OutOfTest]

I've just read back through and seen you say that about Mr AMW too Mr FW.

A small note on AMWs post.

I've never found myself getting on too well with the warmbac. It's much better in many aspects than the Farrworld, but doesn't have moveable shoulder D-rings.

Ideally I would have a warmbac harness and a hollis whatever they're called, they look awesome.

Because I'm always broke I can't afford two rigs. And I really need moveable D-rings when I start loading up with stages for bigger dives.

This photo is just after the dive I mentioned above....everything in the photo went on the dive with me and I had enough lift. The only thing missing is my suit inflate cylinder and helmet.






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[inverted_bear]

Thanks OutOfTest, that's exactly the kind of info I was looking for.

[JCGoodwin]

This might be one of best threads Ive read on this subject.
Good clear advice from those who are in "LOW" cave!
Bottom line listen to those who are there and been there for a while.
Strange thing how getting in and out of tight places are the best at giving advice.
I suggest a slow progression and be very conservative.

Living to tell and enjoying your dives is a very good plan.
Enjoy and a big thank you to our friends abroad!
Cheers fellows!

JCG

[OutOfTest]

Also, dry caving helps! Don't need to go particularly slowly there.

Just find somewhere tight and miserable and go til you can't.


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[AMW]

I should say I use neither a Warmbac or a Farrworld harness I use a modified Dragon SMS harness but these are no longer available (sadly). The two I have mentioned are avalable and very good. I do most of my UK cave diving with out a BCD (gets in the way).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VayG-7pDXtE







Andrew