Dive Rite

 Equipment for Serious Divers Since 1985

Backplates & Harnesses

Basic Harness

Embraced by DIR purists who prefer a streamlined rig without buckles, chest strap or padding, the Basic Harness is a clean, simple harness intended for use with hard metal backplates. MIL-SPEC polypropylene webbing provides strength, yet is soft and won’t dig into the body. Harness is adjustable by cutting off excess webbing once diver has sized the harness to his body stature. Standard two-inch webbing allows for customization with a wide variety of pockets and accessories, depending on the needs and desires of the individual diver. Tubular webbing sleeves are included for all points where webbing comes into contact with the backplate to prevent abrasion. Includes marine-grade stainless steel hardware. Made in the U.S.A.

Aluminum Backplate

Invented by Greg Flanagan in 1979 for North Florida cave divers. Greg realized that a back-mounted buoyancy system gives a diver natural balance in the water, due to the diver’s center of gravity (tanks) being surrounded by the center of buoyancy (BC/ wings). In addition, the diver gains a clean chest area with room for gear attachment points on the harness. Bill Hogarth Main went on to popularize the backplate and harness and dive purists who follow the DIR philosophy have come to embrace what is known today as the “Hogarthian Rig”. Dive Rite began manufacturing backplates for the public in 1984 and pioneered 11-inch on center bolt spacing creating an industry standard that is still followed today. Sturdy, yet lightweight, the aluminum backplate is ideal for twin backmounted steel tanks since additional weight from the plate is not necessary. Eleven-inch on center holes accommodate standard double tank bolt kits and holes along the perimeter of the plate allow for mounting lights, pony bottles, lift bags and other accessories. One-inch and two-inch slots along the bottom permit diver’s choice of crotch straps. Two 3/8-inch slots along the bottom are designed to fit screws for attaching lift bag sleeves, sidemount butt plates or other accessories. Two-inch slots along the center allow single-tank divers to use cam straps without a single tank adaptor. All edges are beveled to eliminate sharp edges and prevent abrasion to harness webbing. Anodized black aluminum. Made in the U.S.A.

Transpac Harness

Inspired by a remote dive exploration in Japan where divers had to hike their heavy gear through dry portions of cave to get to the underwater sumps. The explorers also needed the versatility to switch their gear configuration from backmount to sidemount to single tanks (flexibility that a traditional hard backplate does not offer). Designed like a mountaineer’s backpack, the TransPac disperses weight across the hips and back, minimizing shoulder strain. Adjustable straps adapt to a wide variety of exposure suits and means easy donning and doffing. A soft backplate accommodates sidemount diving, yet gives appropriate support for single tanks, double tanks or rebreathers. Slots in the backplate fit standard 36-inch cam straps (included) for single tank diving. The modular design allows for customization using an assortment of pockets and accessories, depending on the needs and desires of the individual diver. The TransPac is lightweight and flattens easily into a suitcase for travel. The TransPac is designed to be used with any wing in the Dive Rite line. Made in the U.S.A.

Wings

Classic EXP Wing

The Classic EXP is part of our innovative line of 360 degree, donut-style wings that provide greater stability and control in the water. The Classic EXP is an adjustable lift wing, sporting an optional Gusset Control System cord that can be used to further streamline the wing for wreck penetration or smaller size doubles. The GCS is not a bungee wing because it does not restrict air flow; instead the GCS promotes added streamlining and buoyancy control, yet allows the wing to inflate to its full capacity.

The Classic EXP can be a single or dual bladder wing. Its unique bladder design allows a single bladder Classic EXP to be altered to become a dual bladder wing at a later date, if desired.

Please note: the Classic EXP is designed for use with heavyweight double tanks and is not for use with single tanks.

Classic Wing

The Classic Wing is technical diving’s first buoyancy compensator, originally introduced to the diving world by Dive Rite in 1985. Designed specifically for use with double cylinders, the Classic Wing is the most streamlined wing of its kind on the market. Its streamlined shape comes from the unique side panels that maintain lift capacity, while minimizing drag by reducing overall width. The Classic Wing provides up to 60 pounds/27 kg of lift and can accommodate two 104 ft3/17 L back mounted cylinders and one 80 ft3 /11 L stage bottle. Tough, ballistic nylon outer bags protect the wing from tears and abrasion. The 15-mil urethane bladder is abrasion resistant, chemical resistant and resists the growth of microorganisms. Choice of 16-inch rapid exhaust (pull dump), 16-inch or 12-inch elbow, or Ritesource integrated octo corrugated hose along with either 15-inch, 22-inch or 27-inch low-pressure inflation hose. The Classic Wing is designed for use with the TransPac, TransPlate or any webbing-style harness. Made in the U.S.A.

Rec EXP Wing

The Rec EXP is the flagship of our innovative line of 360 degree, donut-style wings. Donut wings tend to provide greater stability and control in the water, improving diver buoyancy and trim. The Rec EXP is shorter than our traditional Rec wing, which means it now fits a wider range of diver statures, where as our traditional Rec wing is best suited for tall divers or divers who require more buoyancy at the waist.

A hybrid wing, the Rec EXP can be worn on single or double tanks making it one of our most popular wings. When diving single tanks, two clips on each side of the wing attach to D-rings on the backplate, keeping the wing close to the diver’s body. This avoids the “taco” effect of the wing wrapping around the tank, away from the diver, which diminishes buoyancy control.

Travel EXP Wing

Travel 360 Wing

Venture EXP Wing

Our Venture Wing has always been a donut-style wing and with the debut of our EXP wings, it has been renamed to reflect its design. Ideal for diving heavier single tanks with a hard backplate, the Venture Wing has 45 pounds/20 kgs of lift and can accommodate up to one 95 ft3/15 L single tank.

The trapezoid-shape gives divers lift around the hips where it is needed to achieve horizontal trim underwater. Streamlined side panels expand to maximize lift capacity, yet keep a sleek, trim profile reducing drag in the water. Available in black with gray side panels. Made in the U.S.A.

Venture 360 Wing

 Our Venture Wing has always been a donut-style wing and now with a new line of donut wings launching, we decided to rename it to reflect its design. Ideal for diving heavier single tanks with a hard backplate, the Venture Wing has 45 pounds/20 kgs of lift and can accommodate up to one 95 ft3/15 L single tank or is often used with rebreathers. The trapezoid-shape gives divers lift around the hips where it is needed to achieve horizontal trim underwater. Streamlined side panels expand to maximize lift capacity, yet keep a sleek, trim profile reducing drag in the water. Tough, ballistic nylon outer bag protects the wing from tears and abrasion. The 15-mil urethane bladder is abrasion resistant, chemical resistant and resists the growth of microorganisms. Choose from several different lengths of exhaust hose and low pressure inflation hose length (see tech specs). Optional RiteSource integrated octo. Made in the U.S.A.