ice diving harness question

[MNDiver]

For ice diving I have always dove tethered with a harness.  Actually, I can not recall ever ice diving with anyone that does not use a harness.  I have dove with several shops in the area and done a bunch of ice dives. I am quite surprised that you did not use one in class.   

I have at times attached a line to my BCD for other types of diving and the one thing that I noticed that was different was the way the rope pulled on me and my BCD.  I felt like I was swimming on my side, or at least getting pulled that way.  The best I could make out was that for a harness it should be tight enough that you can just get a clenched fist under it.  I don't normally dive with my BCD that tight except for the strap on my waist.  The rest is a bit looser which allows me to breath a bit easier and move around a bit more.  When the rope was attached to my BCD, it kept trying to rotate the BCD on my body.  It was annoying, especially compared to using a harness.  So, using a harness gets two thumbs up.....

As for the harness.....   

I use the Lifeguard systems harness.   It is designed and made specifically for tethered scuba diving.  They even have multiple sizes for a better fit.  The harness does not get in the way of your dry suit inflator and lays pretty flat under your BCD so as not to get in the way.  The attachment points are pretty well thought-out.  I have been using the same one for about 7 years and it looks pretty new, but most importantly, it is still pretty flexable and adjustable (see below). The Sheriff's Dive Team I dive with uses the same harnesses and everyone likes them over the various other harnesses we have tried. 

Other types...    I have tried the chest part of a rock climbing harness and really did not like it much.  It kept getting in the way of my drysuit inflate button and was thick enough to feel it under my BCD.  The bow hunting/tree stand harness became pretty firm/rigid and was not comfortable or very adjustable after one season.  The one I bought also did not have sufficient attachment points. 

SeaYa diving in Shakopee is a Lifeguard Systems dealer if you are interested. That is where the Sheriff's Office buys them...

Keep an eye on the board, when some ice dives are set up that I can attend, I will bring a few extra harnesses so you can try one of them out. 

Chris....