Editing Scuba set (section)

==Harness construction==
Every scuba harness requires a system for supporting the cylinders on the harness, and a system for attaching the harness to the diver.

===Back mount===
The most common system has the scuba set carried on the back of the diver. This uses well developed and familiar load carrying harness systems developed for terrestrial activities, and keeps the bulky and heavy components clear of the chest area. Back mounting also tends to restrict access to the control valves for the gas supply, and puts most of the set where the diver cannot see it.

====Basic harness====
The most basic arrangement for a back-mounted set consists of a metal or webbing strap around the cylinder just below the shoulder, and another lower down the cylinder, to which webbing shoulder and waist straps are attached. Shoulder straps can be of fixed length to suit a particular diver, but are more often adjustable. Sometimes a quick release buckle is added to one or both of the shoulder straps. The waist belt has a buckle for closing and release, and the waist belt is usually adjustable for security and comfort. Various attachments have been used to attach the harness straps to the cylinder bands. A crotch strap is optional, and usually runs from the lower cylinder band to the front of the waistband.  This strap prevents the set from riding upwards on the diver when in use. This arrangement is still occasionally seen in use.

====Backplate or backpack harness====
{{see also|Backplate and wing|Sidemount diving{{!}}Side-mount diving}}
The characteristic difference between this and the basic harness, is that a rigid or flexible backplate is added between the cylinder and the harness straps. The cylinder is attached to the backplate by metal or webbing straps, and the harness straps are attached to the backplate. In other respects the system is similar to the basic harness. Methods of fixing the cylinder include metal clamping bands, secured by bolts or lever operated clamps, or webbing straps, usually secured by cam buckles.

This style of harness was originally used in this simple form, but is currently more usually used with a back inflation wing type buoyancy compensator sandwiched between the cylinder and the backplate.

=====Cam bands=====
{{anchor|camband|camstrap|cam buckle|cam strap|cam band}}
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[[File:Stainless steel cam buckle PB070436.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Two cam bands holding a cylinder to a backplate]]
[[File:Plastic cam buckle PB070451.jpg|thumb|Plastic cam buckle tensioned]]
The combination of webbing strap and cam action buckle that is used to secure the cylinder to a [[Buoyancy compensator (diving)|buoyancy compensator]] or backplate is known as a cam band or cam strap.<ref name="Dive Rite" /> They are a type of tank band,<ref name="Leisurepro" /> which includes the stainless steel straps used to hold twin cylinder sets together.<ref name="Dive Rite doubles" /> They generally rely on an over-centre lever action to provide tensioning and locking, which may be modified by length adjustment slots and secondary security fastening such as [[velcro]] to hold the free end in place. Most cam buckles for scuba are injection moulded plastic, but some are stainless steel.<ref name="Dive Rite" /> Many recreational scuba harnesses rely on a single cam band to hold the cylinder to the backplate. Other models provide two cam bands for security. A cam band can also be used on a sling or sidemount scuba set to attach the lower clip to the cylinder.

=====Tank bands=====
[[File:Manifolded twin 12l steel cylinder set PB128182.jpg|thumb|upright=0.7|Manifolded twin 12&nbsp;litre steel cylinder set assembled using two stainless steel tank bands.]]
Stainless steel tank bands are the standard method for supporting manifolded twin cylinders, as they provide good support for the cylinders, minimise loads on the manifolds and provide simple and reliable attachment points for connection to a backplate

===Front mount===
Almost exclusively used for military rebreathers and escape sets.
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===Integrated harness and storage bag===
[[File:Scuba set in integral carry bag PA081710.JPG|thumb|Scuba set in integral carry bag]]
A few examples of integrating a storage and carrying bag into the harness have been made, without notable success for open circuit scuba. The most successful examples have been for military rebreathers, where there has been space in a rigid housing to fit the breathing hoses, mask or DSV, and simple harness straps inside the casing when the counterlungs are empty.
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===Sidemount harness===
{{see also|Sidemount diving}}
The most basic sidemount harness is little more than cylinders fitted with belt loops and slid onto the standard caver's belay or battery belt along with any extra weights needed to achieve neutral buoyancy, and a caver's belt mounted battery pack. This simple configuration is particularly low profile and suited to small cylinders.

A more complex but still minimalist system is a webbing harness with shoulder straps, waist belt and crotch strap, supporting a variety of sliders and D-rings for attachment of cylinders and accessories, with or without integrated weighting or separate weight belts, and with or without a back mounted buoyancy compensator, which may be attached to the harness, or directly to the diver. Cylinders are usually attached to a shoulder or chest D-ring and waist belt D-ring on each side.

====Sling and sidemount rigging====
The rigging of sling and sidemount cylinders is similar, but not identical. Sling rigging includes a bolt snap at the shoulder and one near the base of the cylinder, which are clipped to the main scuba harness, which may be either back or sidemount arrangement with D-rings or rails as attachment points. The sidemount cylinder rigging may omit the shoulder clip, and has a bungee loop on the harness to secure and confine the top end of the set.<ref name="Davis" /><ref name="Davis 2" />
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