My Light Travel Backplate | Safe Diving

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When I dive on holiday this is the setup that I wear when the water is warm on a single cylinder.

Atomic Venom Frameless Mask
Apeks XTX50 DST
Mares XR Ali Backplate
Apeks WTX D-18 Wing
Apeks Single Harness
Dive Rite Tti D-Rings
Simply Scuba Mk1 Torch
Shearwater Perdix AI
Suunto SK7 Compass
DIR Zone Dive Knife
Scubapro T-Flex Rashie
Fourth Element Tech Shorts
Scubapro Everflex Arch Boots
Apeks RK3 Fins

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Music: Sport In
Artist: Eleone

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The most important thing about scuba diving is that you do it safely. And that is what Safe Diving is all about.
On this channel, I will discuss all aspects of going underwater from equipment advice and techniques to the little things like what to pack in your bags for a dive trip.
My entire professional career has been spent in and around the scuba diving industry and travelling to diving destinations both warm and cold.

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In accordance with COPPA laws, please note that videos on this channel are not specifically made for, or targeted at, children.

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Safe Diving
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[aevans]

I dive a Mares soft plate, with a setup much like this with a 10kg donut, I like its light weight, I keep it on my yacht where space is of a premium, a couple of 7 ltr tanks is much easier to stow then 10's or 12's ...

I like how this type of setup is very customisable ... No jacket for me ...

[dkjens]

You neglected to point out that you are not using a single tank adapter plate, which saves you the weight of the adapter AND you can use two nylon bolts to tie everything together in stead of heavier SS bolts since the tank bands are wrapped through the donut and the backplate. I have used a HOG backplate and deluxe harness a few years but just put together a lightweight tech style backplate for use on the boat so carrying it around is easier (and I needed a second set of gear). I first built it using two quick adjust buckle cinch adapters down on my hips thinking this would make for an easy loosening and tightening of shoulder straps (I'm 58 and not flexible like a noodle anymore) but soon realized they don't work as well as expected. I have removed them and am working on finding out just how loose I can have the shoulder straps for easy gearing up and donning, I let it fall down on my hips anyway and just tighten the waist belt. I use two 2 lbs weights, one on each hip and now find weight pockets to be a PITA, I may just strap them on with bungee chord. I am now able to put a complete backplate system together, continues webbing or deluxe adjustable shoulder straps, for $200 - $300, lift anywhere from 18lbs to 50lbs.

[OrenNoah]

My warm water setup is a Fred T custom steel back plate with a 18# Oxycheq wing in digital camo. Please always are asking "why do you have a camo wing?" My answer is "Paradoxically, I have camo so it and I will stand out from everyone else's all-black dive gear. I have a Zeagle Envoy regulator set, with a "long hose" setup. I carry two backup lights and a Hollis LED cannister light. I use an old-style rubber weight belt with wire bail and I keep my accessories and emergency gear in the pockets of a pair of tech shorts that I wear over my wetsuit.

[dennybe]

I've been diving a jacket(because that is what I was taught in and what is available for me to rent). I recently ordered my aluminum backplate, wing(30lbs), and apex harness. Waiting for the backplate to arrive so I can put it all together--so excited about it! You showed your mini Dsmb on your bum, your big one in is your leg pocket(if I remember correctly). When I dive I shoot video, nothing special just a GoPro setup with red filters(also on one of my torches--I carry two). When switching to the backplate my plan is to have a simple pouch on my waist belt big enough for the GoPro and its carrier, maybe misc like my rolled-up snorkel--nothing big or crazy. I do have a safety whistle I clip off on my shoulder strap d-ring as well as a safety blinky light on my top tank strap(the small one that goes over the 1st stage, sorry I don't remember the name of that one--safety strap?). The more I see your Primary and alternate setup, the more I like it. When the clouds part and the lockdowns and lockouts have ended I will definitely experiment with doing something very similar. Thanks as always, Mark, greatly appreciate you showing us your kit... especially us newer to the sport divers(currently only rescue, but the plan is to go deep...so more courses coming for sure). Peace.

[stueaston]

Another great video and topic. Thanks Mark & Co. 👍

[maxtorque]

What do you think about ditiching the mechanical SPG and just having the Air integrated one for recreational warm water diving?

With no overhead environments, generally shallow depths, mostly at least buddied and often in large(er) groups i've ditched mine in the aim of being more streamlined, lighter and simpler. With the caveat that one pays good, regular attention to your air level, i can't see it being a problem. In the unlikely event of the integrated system failing and being suddenly unable to read my air state (ime, they are really pretty robust these days) then i just "end the dive" at that point, i know i've got plenty of air, because if i hadn't got plenty of air on the last good read then i would have already ended the dive!! On Rec diving no-ones pushing any limits or doing anything that is likely to be compromised by an early exit from the water. I do take a small mech SPG along in my boat kit bag, which could be used to "save" a dive if i couln't get the integrated solution to work when kitting up before the dive, a quick hose swap and it can be quickly added into place should that happen (not happened yet)

[tahoetwin]

Question: Why not have one BCD setup for all diving. Why do you or anybody need a travel BCD and another BCD for home diving? Why 2 setups?.

Love your info videos and all the great content. Thanks .

[glenncook]

Just bought and tried out my Xdeep Ghost, very similar to Mark’s system and very light and comfy too

[goldie]

I’ve just got an Xdeep Zen and I can’t get the set up right. With the length that I need in thr shoulders for my shoulders to fit properly the backplate sits low and my back and the inflator hose is waaay too short.

[markvincentcocjin]

I notice that your primary's hose snags the release of your belt.

[box]

Why do you have a air integrated computer, AND a spg? I have been thinking about my set up and want to get rid of as many hoses as i can so want to so air integrated wrist computer, wrist compass and integrated inflator/octo. (Primary donate)what do you think of the integrated inflators/ Octos? Thanks for all the time you take to make all these vids. Keeping us all safe and informed!!

[ArabPhysics]

Great video, have a question, do you have to have a weight system?

[completehavoc]

Can you do a video on Single Tank Adapters (whether you need them or not? route cam bands through backplate is enough?) How to mount the wing to the backplate? Do you NEED to use screws with wing nuts to hold the wing on or are the cam bands enough to hold everything together with the tank? I got OW certed 2 weeks ago and I just bought a brand new DiveRite backplate and Voyager EXP wing from DiveGearExpress. The instructions are not very clear. Thank you!

[sbmillward]

Very nice set up and video. Thanks! Good luck with your own channel. Watched you introduce products on SS many times.

[TwelvePaws]

My variation, since all my diving is warm water. I have a bigger bladder - 36lb D/R because at home we dive steels and we're always in current - I prefer excess lift for when we encounter downcurrents (frequent in my location). I don't have a plate, I use a transpac harness - even with an Ali tank I only need 2kg/4lbs. With a steel tank I'm over weighted a bit, but we accept that price for the additional gas reserve.

I don't like thigh pockets (personal preference) so I have 2 pockets on my Waist belt. My compass is affixed to my pointer stick as I prefer that to teh wrist. I don't carry a knife, I have medical shears, also I have 3 tribolite cutters on my rig, one is on my computer bungees.

I'm not a fan of long hose especially in big currents (although I use one on my SM kit since it can be used for penetrations too. I use 1.2m Hoses on both Primary and Alt. My alt comes under left arm and is on rubber neck bungee. - both regs have swivels, I can either primary donate or secondary take method as per divers wishes. an Alt on left side presents better to victim than conventional RH side (even with swivels)

[edwardwhitehill]

Where do you of would you attach the canister for your primary light to the BP&W?

[dapatuel]

Awesome setup, love the advicse. I myself am gathering information on buying a backplate and wing setup with long hose configuration. Looking at xdeep to but also Halcyon is in my mind and many

Keep up the good video's to help us all....

[I-M-Pulsive]

Why do you have a separate compass? I have a compass on my eon core. And I don't see why I would need a manual one. But maybe you can enlighten me :)

[heyshaunhere]

You look super cute 😍 in your thumbnail

[fafddzfaf]

My cylinder sometimes gets slanted like yours in this clip. Any tip on fixing it?