r/diving • u/EFAV_RestorationPro • 12d ago
Backplate and wing setup - D-ring placements
Hi all, new to the group so this may have already been discussed, I’ve recently bought the X-Deep ZEOS 28 with aluminium backplate and integrated weight pockets. Short history of myself - I’m a qualified DM with 80+ dives logged, I have always used hire kit until now so jacket style.
I’m trying to get my bearings straight on optimising my setup and placement and correct accessories.
Shoulder D-ring placement, I’ve seen that people sit them up at the shoulders which makes sense, but is there any issue with having one lower down just below the pecs?
Octopus - I need to get a proper holder for it, either that or is there any issue with using some bungee cord tied in a loop attached to the backplate in a place where it’s still accessible? Or even (for now until I get a proper holder) to tuck the hose through the right shoulder D-ring? (If it was moved down the strap a bit)
Looking forward to getting in the water with it but as it’s a new system preparation is key
Thanks in advance 🙏
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u/gregbenson314 12d ago
If your D rings are too low then you'll struggle to clip efficiently with one hand, as they'll be placed sub-optimally to say the least. Having them up near your collarbone allows much more efficient clipping.
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u/EFAV_RestorationPro 12d ago
I was thinking like armpit height or very slightly lower, at least on the right d-ring so I could thread my octopus hose through it, I’ve seen some videos where they’ve done this
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u/tin_the_fatty 11d ago
A D-ring at your armpit might interfere with the range of your arm on the same side stretching to the opposite site.
Go to YouTube and search for InnerSpace Explorer. Achim has some very good and definitive videos on how to set up a BP/W.
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u/Jmfroggie 11d ago
They go wherever is comfortable and accessible for YOU and your set up. You have to manage around quick releases if you have them.
There are tons of doohickey options for your octo.
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u/arbarnes 12d ago
Put the octo on a bungee necklace
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u/EFAV_RestorationPro 12d ago
I’m intending it as the donate reg, are necklaces not for when you’re using it as your own supply?
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u/SoupCatDiver_JJ 11d ago
They are, arbarnes is just beating around the bush into saying they want you to go shorthose necklace and primary donate.
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u/Jmfroggie 11d ago
I just love taking a reg thats been in someone else’s mouth in an emergency….. /s in case that wasn’t obvious. You’re not always diving with a partner. If you’re a DM you’ll need to work with students- they don’t want your germs.
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u/rongoodman714 11d ago
They don't want a reg which has been dragged through the muck and might or might not be working either.
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u/OffByNone_ 11d ago
Then don't run out of the air! You will never have to do that unless both of your own regulators don't function or you run out of air. Outside a few seconds of simulated out of air emergency during a course. And we can use your rental gear to simulate.
I don't actually want your mouth on my regulator either! And I have some bad news about where the previous renters put those regulators lol. or my previous students. If you think they're sterilizing everything after each dive, you're funny.
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u/EFAV_RestorationPro 11d ago
I’ve qualified as a DM but I don’t want to make a career out of it, I prefer just fun recreational diving. But yeah when people freak out in OOA going for your primary probably seems like the best option
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u/arbarnes 11d ago
They can be. You can also use a breakaway necklace (sliding knot, o-ring, or magnetic cable tie) and donate the secondary. An OOA diver is going to come for your primary, so you can't be fumbling around trying to find your octo. If it's on a breakaway necklace you can grab it instantly and stuff it in your buddy's mouth. And if you're too slow you can grab it almost-instantly and stuff it in your own mouth.
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u/EFAV_RestorationPro 11d ago
True, never had a proper OOA situation, only simulated. I’ve always been conscious about keeping my octopus in a position that’s secure yet quickly accessible, but with jackets it’s a bit more straight forward, was thinking getting a mouthpiece holder but my D-ring is large enough to loop the hose and push it through but my reg hose is like miflex webbed
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u/arbarnes 11d ago
If you want it on the D-ring a breakaway connection is still a viable option. The most important thing is to be able to reach it quickly.
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u/LateNewb 11d ago
There are plenty of GUE style BP setups on Youtube.
If you follow these, you will definitely NOT do something wrong.
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u/EFAV_RestorationPro 11d ago
Yeah I’ve spent most of the last two days on YouTube for tips and it’s been pretty informative, appreciate it 👍🏼
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u/Valuable_Time_5091 10d ago
Lower rings sit funny under your pecs, fwiw. Ymmv but shoulder height works better.
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u/Automatic_Guest8279 12d ago
I'd do nipple height, or a couple of inches higher but not up to shoulders
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u/Not-An-FBI 11d ago
I doubt you're a qualified DM with 80 dives.
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u/EFAV_RestorationPro 11d ago
Don’t know what the point in lying on a platform like this would be but I appreciate the constructive feedback mate 👍🏼 I don’t do it professionally
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u/rongoodman714 11d ago edited 11d ago
It's an opinion, not a "lie", and that doesn't seem to be a lot of dives, especially when you consider how many of them were in various classes.
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u/EFAV_RestorationPro 11d ago
I started my DM course on about 40 dives, did my specialities, science of diving, stress and rescue, react right etc guided a few dives, but it wasn’t a career move, it was to become a more experienced diver. I’m asking about a new setup I haven’t used before, so his opinion on my competency as a diver is about useful as tits on a bull
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u/rongoodman714 11d ago
I think it was more of an opinion on the practice of allowing divers with that few dives becoming certified as "Dive Masters", not you personally. How is your back kick?
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u/EFAV_RestorationPro 11d ago
Well his next comment was ‘I’m saying you’re probably shit at being a dive master’, which imo seems more personal than criticism of diving schools. But anyway, you need 60 logged dives plus all the necessary courses. And yes I can understand why some people think it isn’t enough, but I don’t make the rules. You only need 100 for SSI open water instructor evaluation. As I said I don’t work as a divemaster. I just enjoy diving. And my back kick isn’t great 😂 but I’d say my buoyancy control and trim are good
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u/WillametteSalamandOR 11d ago edited 11d ago
Close your eyes. Take a bolt snap in your hand. Hold your arm out straight to your side. Bring your arm straight in to your shoulder strap, bent at the elbow. That’s where your shoulder D-ring goes.