XDeep Stealth 2.0 Modifications : Crotch Bungee
by Andy Davis
Whilst I am a big fan of the XDeep Stealth 2.0 sidemount system, I always thought that the crotch bungee method of securing the bottom of the wing was less than ideal.
With thin exposure protection, it could be uncomfortable (thinking board shorts here….). I sought a better solution that would still allow the Stealth BCD to be easily detached from the harness, but would also keep the BCD firmly in the desired position.
Here is my solution…. see what you think:
The crotch bungee is replaced by a simple knotted bungee, that is secured tightly under a length of taut bungee threaded through the grommets included on the existing Stealth 2.0 butt-plate.
I had to experiment with the type of knot used. Initial attempts could pull free of the restraint – especially if the Stealth 2.0 bladder was fully inflated and/or during giant-stride type water entries.
I looked into finding some type plastic ball, such as might be used on a BCD pull-dump toggle, but then an ex-student showed me a perfect knot choice for the job.
The Monkey’s Fist knot produces a solid ‘ball’ on the end of the bungee. This will not accidentally come loose of the restraining bungee in the butt-plate – but can easily be removed or replaced by the diver on dry land or in water.
The knot can be tied using the existing 6mm bungee that comes with the Stealth 2.0 on purchase (it uses less length of bungee than the crotch bungee method does)
Full, illustrated details on how to tie a Monkey’s Fist knot are available on AnimatedKnots.com
It can take a little practice to get the Monkey’s Fist knot tied properly – but you can soon get the hang of it. Most of my students now prefer this method to the original crotch bungee method.
The only other step is to tie a short length of bungee through the existing grommet holes in the XDeep Stealth butt-plate. You can do this as a continuous loop, or a single length secured by a knot at each end. It has to be tied relatively tight.
Once the modification is set-up, it holds the XDeep Stealth 2.0 BCD firmly in position, but can be removed/replaced with a single hand, even in the water when diving.
Try it out…. see what you think!
Note: If you are going to try this for yourself, please seek expert tuition and ensure that you have conducted successful shallow-water practice removing/replacing the BCD using the Monkey’s Fist knot method before relying upon it on an actual dive.
Other XDeep Stealth 2.0 Modifications:
- Adding Redundant Buoyancy to the XDeep Stealth 2.0
- An Alternative to the XDeep Stealth 2.0 Crotch Bungee
- A Lower-Profile Waist Buckle for the XDeep Stealth 2.0
About the Author
Andy Davis is a RAID, PADI TecRec, ANDI, BSAC and SSI qualified independent technical diving instructor who specializes in teaching advanced sidemount, trimix and wreck exploration diving courses across South East Asia. Currently residing in ‘wreck diving heaven’ at Subic Bay, Philippines, he has amassed more than 9000 open circuit and CCR dives over 27 years of diving across the globe.
Andy has published many magazine articles on technical diving, has written course materials for dive training agency syllabus, tests and reviews diving gear for major manufacturers and consults with the Philippines Underwater Archaeology Society.
He is currently writing a series of books to be published on advanced diving topics. Prior to becoming a professional technical diving educator in 2006, Andy was a commissioned officer in the Royal Air Force and has served in Iraq, Afghanistan, Belize and Cyprus.
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