A tank cinch is configured to cooperate with a strap to secure a tank of compressed air to a buoyancy compensation device. The tank cinch includes an adjustable frame having a sliding member, a first cam receiver and a second cam receiver. A lever body including a first cam and a second cam is pivotably joined to the adjustable frame and is pivotable about a pivoting axis defined by the adjustable frame. The lever body is configured to fix a first end portion of the strap. The adjustable frame is configured to fix a second end portion of the strap with the sliding member when the lever is rotated about the pivoting axis towards the adjustable frame member. The cams are arranged to bear against an outermost surface of the tank and to be received in the cam receivers when the lever body is pivoted towards the adjustable frame.

A back pack cinch for a strap securing a breathing tank, and an associated buoyancy compensation device worn by a driver are provided. The back pack cinch includes a cinch body. A cover is rotatably mounted to the cinch body. The cover has an open position and a closed position. The cover in the closed position is configured to tension a strap. A tab is rotatably mounted to the cinch body. The tab has an open position and a closed position. In the closed position, a portion of the strap is pressed against the serrated bearing surface by the tab to hold the portion of the strap in a fixed position.

A diving harness containing the upper junction connected through the central rail and shoulder straps to the lower junction connected with the hip belt and the crotch strap tied with the buckle, characterized in that the upper junction is permanently connected to the central rail containing at least two layers of textile tapes that are in contact with each other, wherein the textile tape layers are sewn together at regular intervals with back tacks forming through openings between tape layers, wherein the lower junction is permanently connected to at least one mounting bracket, and, wherein the mounting bracket is detachable connected to the central rail via the through opening.

A buoyancy control device having a back panel and including at least one flotation bladder, which at least one flotation bladder is configured with the device for controllable inflation and deflation, and connected thereto a harness arrangement for securing the device to a body of a user, the device having a cylinder-mounting mechanism arranged to enable front or side mounting of at least one breathable gas cylinder is useful for snorkeling and diving or repeated diving from snorkeling. A particularly preferred configuration provides a lightweight device of less than 5 kg and an apparatus of no more than 10 kg whereby carriage to and from snorkeling and/or diving location is simplified.

Disclosed is a cylinder-retaining apparatus for a breathing apparatus comprising first and second fixing point and a strap apparatus secured to the first fixing point and the second fixing point. The strap apparatus forms a main strap loop for extending around and securing one or more cylinders. The cylinder-retaining apparatus is configurable in: i) an expanded configuration in which the main strap loop provides a first effective length for securing a first number of cylinders; and ii) a contracted configuration in which a portion of a strap of the strap apparatus is folded to form a secondary strap loop and the secondary strap loop is secured to a third fixing point such that the main strap loop forms a second effective length which is shorter than the first effective length and for securing a second number of cylinders less than the first number of cylinders.

A scuba cylinder lower side mounting system employs two mating parts to secure the lower portion of a scuba cylinder to a diver's torso, the first affixed to either side of any side-mount or back mount Buoyancy Control Device utilizing a web waistband. A web cylinder band or stainless steel hose-clamp secures the second part to any scuba cylinder. The two parts are engaged whether in or out of the water by inserting the second part into the first and pivoting the cylinder at the point of attachment. Existing arrangements to position the cylinder valve near the diver's armpit will keep the system locked in place. It may be disengaged before entering or engaged after exiting confined underwater spaces without reaching between the cylinder and diver's torso. The system keeps the cylinder close to and aligned with the diver's torso regardless of the cylinder's change in buoyancy or diver orientation.

In one aspect, an embodiment of the invention provides a back pack cinch for a strap securing a breathing tank to a buoyancy compensation device worn by a diver. The back pack cinch includes a cinch body. A cover is rotatably mounted to the cinch body. The cover has an open position and a closed position. The cover in the closed position is configured to tension a strap. A tab is rotatably mounted to the cinch body. The tab has an open position and a closed position. In the closed position, a portion of the strap is pressed against the serrated bearing surface by the tab to hold the portion of the strap in a fixed position.

A tank cinch is configured to cooperate with a strap to secure a tank of compressed air to a buoyancy compensation device. The tank cinch includes an adjustable frame having a sliding member, a first cam receiver and a second cam receiver. A lever body including a first cam and a second cam is pivotably joined to the adjustable frame and is pivotable about a pivoting axis defined by the adjustable frame. The lever body is configured to fix a first end portion of the strap. The adjustable frame is configured to fix a second end portion of the strap with the sliding member when the lever is rotated about the pivoting axis towards the adjustable frame member. The cams are arranged to bear against an outermost surface of the tank and to be received in the cam receivers when the lever body is pivoted towards the adjustable frame.

A backrest for a scuba diver comprising a shaped plate supporting at least one air cylinder, at least a first strap comprising an upper right portion configured to fit around the scuba diver's right shoulder, an upper left portion configured to fit around the scuba diver's left shoulder and a lower portion configured to fit around the scuba diver's abdomen, wherein the shaped plate has a first right slide-through element and a first left slide-through element adapted to connect the upper right portion and the upper left portion, respectively, to the lower portion of the first strap, at least one weight pocket constrained to the lower portion of the first strap, wherein there is provided an anti-torsion means connecting the at least one weight pocket to the shaped plate and configured to oppose the torsion of the first strap in proximity to at least one of the first slide-through elements.

Embodiments relate generally to connectors for use with harness and backplate systems in an SCBA. An SCBA may comprise a backplate for holding a cylinder of air and a harness with straps operable to attach to the backplate. Applicants have developed a backplate connector that provides a reliable quick connection and disconnection for straps attached to a backplate. The connector may fit into a slot on the backplate. In some embodiments, a plurality of connectors may be used to connect a plurality of straps to the backplate. Additionally, the connector may comprise a clip or other attachment operable to secure one or more hoses of the SCBA. This design may prevent the air hoses being hooked accidently, and the attachment of the hoses may help to secure the connector into the slot of the backplate, reducing the change of the connector disconnecting during normal usage.