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Post by cnotthoff on Feb 24, 2015 9:47:15 GMT -8
I've never run into anyone who's head wouldn't fit through collar. It is called a HORSE collar.
Proper adjustment is key to being comfortable in a horse-collar BC. That's true of just about any dive gear. Try it on at home and have someone help you adjust the straps with the BC inflated and deflated. It's best to wear exposure suit you plan to dive. The crotch strap is very important to keeping BC from riding up to your neck. Arch you back with crotch strap tightened to be sure it doesn't squeeze what you don't want squoze.
The biggest problem with any BC is over-inflating it during your dive. Most divers who are used to diving without a BC have learned to weight themselves properly and control their buoyancy without putting lots of air into the BC.
Good Dives,
Charlie
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Post by duckbill on Feb 24, 2015 19:46:03 GMT -8
I've never run into anyone who's head wouldn't fit through collar. It is called a HORSE collar. I can't believe you just said that!!! Funny as heck! surflung, of the several horsecollars I have used, the SeaTec sunfish has the largest head opening. There are some smaller HCs that are snug over my head, but not the one like you bought. You shouldn't have any trouble. Don't make the straps too tight. The biggest downside of the HC with a harness is that doggon sternum strap. It's a PITA to put together under the HC. Another reason not to make the straps too tight. When you're done getting everything strapped up, take a breather. I do!
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Post by scubadiverbob on Feb 24, 2015 23:13:38 GMT -8
I've not saw you wear a bc very often, Terry ...
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Post by nikeajax on Feb 25, 2015 10:16:15 GMT -8
Hey Eb, bigger head mean more brains! Yours truly, Mr. Ed
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Post by surflung on Feb 25, 2015 12:28:00 GMT -8
It's Nicer Than I Expected!- Just arrived, my new-to-me SeaTec Sunfish BCD. Condition is as good as new. - Slipped on over my big head... It's a little bit bigger than the one I was complaining about above... Not alot bigger but, it's enough. All of the straps and buckles are in as-new condition. It's a single cylinder CO2 inflator located under the pouch. The pouch bottom swings out to reveal the CO2 mechanism. The pouch is held down over the CO2 by a Velcro tab. Everything else is pretty much as you see it above. Very Nice!
- Thanks everyone for all of the good information and advice!
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Post by duckbill on Feb 25, 2015 19:38:59 GMT -8
It's Nicer Than I Expected!Condition is as good as new. Very Nice!
Looks good! They seem to age really well. I have yet to see one with a bad bladder or deteriorated rubber. Even the older ones are usually in great shape. Quality gear. The way I put mine on is to leave the straps oriented and snapped, with the waist strap inside the vertical top-to-crotch strap. I step into the vertical strap from the side, lean over and put my head through the head opening. I never unsnap the vertical strap. Then I stand fully upright and make sure the vertical strap isn't too tight under my you-know-whats. A little loose is good. Then I unsnap the waist strap with one hand while reaching through in front of me with the other hand to grab the strap and guide it around behind my body and back to my free hand, where I snap it back on. That way the straps stay oriented with no twisting if I do my part. The waist strap should hold the back of the vertical strap against my back, and be comfortably fit around my waist, not too loose, not too tight. I'm sure you already have your own method, so I'm just throwing this out there for whomever it might help. Robert, I don't use a BC in the river because I'm better off without one there. Too much drag in the current. My wet suit with weight belt ditched is my BC, and the banks of the river are within easy swimming distance. Out in a lake or in the ocean is where you'll find me never without one. I need to return your call. Sorry I forgot!
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Post by surflung on Feb 26, 2015 8:21:09 GMT -8
- Thanks.. Good advice!
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Post by surflung on Mar 5, 2015 13:14:09 GMT -8
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Post by duckbill on Mar 5, 2015 20:26:42 GMT -8
The colored SeaTecs are usually the smaller ones I mentioned. Notice the double straps at the back. It's a different harness system, same as the smaller SeaTecs I have. Looks like a nice HC.
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Post by nikeajax on Mar 8, 2015 15:30:51 GMT -8
WHOOO-HOOO: I just won a Healthways BC! With all that I learned getting that Dacor fixed, I'm pretty danged sure I can keep it working safely if anything fails...
One of my goals is to dive exclusively with Healthways gear when I want to be totally esoteric, and with my Scubair-II, can't nobody (expletive deleted) about it not being up to modern safety standards...
Jaybird
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ztomo
New Member
Posts: 9
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Post by ztomo on Mar 9, 2015 7:02:38 GMT -8
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Post by nikeajax on Mar 13, 2015 15:04:18 GMT -8
Here it is, I just got it this afternoon: I fully expected the C02 detonator to be wonky, and it is. The rest of this BC has removable components, so I will replace the detonator with a removable one. Also, there is no way to access the bladder, so I will put a zipper in too, probably closer to the bottom with some heavy duty mesh so it can drain quickly. The big black pocket on the side hides the detonator. I'll also make the OPV into a dump valve by adding a pull cord. Kinda groovy I think, and dig on the color, kind of a school-bus-yellow, beter in the first image, as opposed to just yellow Jaybird
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Post by surflung on Apr 13, 2015 10:25:29 GMT -8
Update on my Seatec Horsecollar BCD... - The ice is off the lakes and we went diving last weekend... Where I discovered a slow leak where the oral inflator connects to the bladder. Trying to tighten it made it worse. When I got home I took it apart and discovered a homemade rubber washer in the top half. Replacing that didn't help. Then I discovered the backing flange on the inside of the bladder was cracked almost completely in half. I got the pieces out, epoxied a steel washer to the backside of the flange for a solid repair. Reinserted it into the bladder. - Then I discovered the bladder washer is actually split so that it spreads out on the inside and the outside of the bladder. Ingenious. But it wasn't installed that way so I corrected that and screwed the inside and outside parts together. Then installed the elbow and inflated the thing. I still heard a slight hiss... But it was coming from the over inflation valve. I took that apart and discovered that split bladder washer was not installed right. Once this was corrected, I inflated the thing again and could hear no leaks. - One nice thing about SeaTec is I can order replacement parts. I'll be ordering those to replace the epoxied part. But in the meantime, my repairs seem to have fixed it for now. Not as good a bargain as originally thought but still an awfully nice BCD... It fit over my head and was very comfortable to dive with.
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Post by cnotthoff on Apr 13, 2015 10:56:59 GMT -8
I should have a template where all I have to do is fill in the name of the part someone is looking for.
I have a box of old inflator parts. If you can't find what you're looking for, send me some pictures and we'll figure it out.
Good Dives,
Charlie
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Post by surflung on Apr 15, 2015 5:28:06 GMT -8
This Will Require Some Patience... - I've been communicating with SeaTec and their sales rep. Apparently the person who handles parts sales is on vacation and she's the only one who can take an order. I'll be able to order the replacement parts in 1-2 weeks. So, I'll have to wait 1-2 weeks to get genuine factory parts. - Looking for an alternate source in the meantime, I found Dive Gear Express on line and ordered a complete set of elbow parts from inside to out including a new elbow... In case the parts aren't compatible... Cost $26. Then I took the overpressure/exhaust port apart to see if the flange is the same... They are. But I then discovered that flange was also cracked nearly in half. (Geez, did somebody run over this thing with their car?) - Here's where I decided I've got to be patient. I just spent $26 on parts I'm not sure are compatible. A new overpressure parts set would be about the same. So, I'll wait for the Dive Gear Express order to come in and see if the parts will work. By that time, I should also be able to order direct from SeaTec. - This BCD is entirely repairable and even with the cost of the parts is a lot less expensive than buying a new one. But, the gild is off the lilly on my "bargain". I was hoping to be using this thing right away this Spring and I'll just have to be patient until the repair parts can be installed.
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