Adding a chest loading pad

[zoff]

My wetsuit doesn't have a chest loading pad. Can anyone recommend a way to add one? My gun is very hard (and painful) to load, can I also replace the bands for easier loading. The gun is a Beuchat Arka.

Thanks.

 

[spaghetti]

If you replace your current bands with longer ones you will loose power.

Use a towel. A kitchen towel to dry the dishes. You just keep it tucked at your weight belt and grab it at need when loading. Put it between your chest and your gunbutt.

Low tech but effective and cost zero.

 

[Scoobaru]

Falling that you could just glue in a chest pad to the inside of your suit. Use black witch (I think) neoprene glue and a piece of neoprene like an old wetsuit etc

 

[landshark sa]

Falling that you could just glue in a chest pad to the inside of your suit. Use black witch (I think) neoprene glue and a piece of neoprene like an old wetsuit etc

Good idea, but stick 2 pieces of neoprene on top of each over and then glue the pad on the inside of your suit.

 

[spaghetti]

In facts the best thing would be to have a patch on or in the suit. But the glue itself won't last for long without stitches, and stitching a wetsuit requires some specific skills.
It's possible to make damage if someone doesn't know how to do the stitching job properly.

But then what's wrong with my dish towel? ;-)

 

[Scoobaru]

In facts the best thing would be to have a patch on or in the suit. But the glue itself won't last for long without stitches, and stitching a wetsuit requires some specific skills.
It's possible to make damage if someone doesn't know how to do the stitching job properly.

But then what's wrong with my dish towel? ;-)

I thought the glue would be strong enough, but I stand corrected. If you aren't competent and experienced stitching wetsuits then either leave it to a professional or use the tea towel, as it's not worth the risk of ruining your wetsuit. Thanks for the cheap and simple solution spaghetti

 

[spaghetti]

Now, okay, a pad on the wetsuit would be the best solution.
I admit I'm talking about diving with a towel hanging from the belt: not the best one could dream of.
It may be annoying and there must be a better solution than that.
But it's a ready made solution for the problem.

I don't now if somewhere you may avail a loading butt for the Beuchat Arka. Maybe checking the online stores you might find one and get rid of the towel...

 

[Scoobaru]

If not maybe just placing a sponge or folded tea towel under the wet suit whilst putting it on, I don't know how well it will hold in place??

 

[spaghetti]

I don't know how well it will hold in place??

That's indeed the question. I remember years ago C4 was selling a thingy called "turtle", kind of flat ball of silicone to slip under your wetsuit for loading purpose. But it tended to displace and that was annoying.

Some guys use fancy solutions: a pad strapped to the chest, or strapped to the belt, as shown in pictures below....

 

[Scoobaru]

I think I your really stuck you should grab a roll of gaffer/duck tape and fold up a tea towel or use a sponge. Hold the pad in place an generously apply the duck tape. Then continue to put on your wetsuit. Simplesroflroflrofl

 

[spaghetti]

I think I your really stuck you should grab a roll of gaffer/duck tape and fold up a tea towel or use a sponge. Hold the pad in place an generously apply the duck tape. Then continue to put on your wetsuit. Simplesroflroflrofl

Somehow, it's got to be done one way or another at the end of the day.

 

[Scoobaru]

Somehow, it's got to be done one way or another at the end of the day.

It's a win win situation. The accidental hairloss people may experience will make removing the wetsuit after future dives a lot easier and quicker and saves £££'s on expensive razor blades or waxing procedures : )

 

[zoff]

In facts the best thing would be to have a patch on or in the suit. But the glue itself won't last for long without stitches, and stitching a wetsuit requires some specific skills.
It's possible to make damage if someone doesn't know how to do the stitching job properly.

But then what's wrong with my dish towel? ;-)

The towel isn't a bad idea LOL but it would easily fall away. I found a piece of neoprene that I could fold over a couple times to make a pad. I know someone who has stitching skills, but not with wet suits. What type of line should i get? What about a sealer for the stiches? Wouldn't putting the pad on the inside take in water, I once pulled the suit away from my skin and felt water rushing in.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

 

[Scoobaru]

Wouldn't putting the pad on the inside take in water, I once pulled the suit away from my skin and felt water rushing in.

No a pad on the inside shouldn't let water in as the suit "should" be sealed at every other entrance, eg wrists ankles, neck, so it should be watertight.

The only other thing i can think of is gluing a sponge, or neoprene strip onto the back of the gun (think spaghetti mentioned this previously)

 

[Brochman]

I used my old wetsuit which was past it and cut the knee pads off and glued them with Aquaseal to my new wetsuit. The knee pad itself provided grip so the speargun butt wouldn't slip and the neoprene provided the padding. You can buy replacement knee pads for wetsuits/Dry suits on line then all you would need is some neoprene and your sorted.

 

[Brochman]

You can also add a pad to the butt of the speargun by purchasing a pair of cheap foam flip flops and then you cut the foam to fit the butt of the speargun and glue it in place

 

[Brochman]

Epoxy resin was used to glue the flip flop to the butt of the gun

 

[Tesilential]

Epoxy resin was used to glue the flip flop to the butt of the gun

That's swag as hell my man.