SIDE MOUNT SYSTEM
MANUAL
RAZOR HARNESS 2
2
Content
1 The Razor Harness 2 3
1.1 Package content 3
1.2 Hardware Layout: 4
2 Rigging the Razor Harness 2 7
2.1 Tools 7
2.2 Overview 8
Step 1: Positioning the Delta Shoulder Plate 10
Step 2: Fitting the Chest D Rings 11
Step 3: Fitting the Lumbar / Crotch Strap 13
Step 4: Adjusting the height of the MBP 16
Step 5: Adjusting the length of the Shoulder Straps 18
Step 6: Fixing Attachment Hardware on the Waist Straps 20
Step 7: Fitting the Low Profile Buckle 23
Step 8: Sizing and Fitting the Side-Mount Bungee 26
Step 9: Weighting and Trim 30
Step 10: Final Adjustments 34
Last Step: Go Diving! 36
Table of contents
3
1 The Razor Harness 2
A 1 DSP (Delta Shoulder Plate)
B 1 12ft Shoulder / Waist
Strap resin reinforced webbing with grommet, button
head screw and washer
C 2 Neoprene Razor Logo Wraps
for shoulder webbing
D
2 2” Bent Shoulder D Rings
E 1 MBP (Mini Back Plate)
F 2 DAPs (Drop Attache-
ment Points)
G 2 2” Straight Waist D Rings
H 2 Buckle plates
I 2 wide gauge heavy
duty Tri-glides
J 4 standard serrated Tri-glides
K 1 6ft Lumbar / Crotch Strap
resin reinforced webbing
with Sewn Loop and 1” Low
Profile Scooter D Ring
L Slotted BAT Wing Tri-glide
M Butt B Ring
N 2 small swiveling snap bolts
6ft SM Bungee
O 4 Hog Rings
P 3 Pieces of bicycle
tire inner tube
All hardware is heavy duty
passivated stainless steel
1.1 Package content
A
B
N O
G
G
E
FF
I
L
M
K
K
C
C
D
D
J
J
J
J
J
P
P
H
I
I
I
K
4
Cold Water setup (default):
1 The Razor Harness 2
1.2 Hardware Layout:
A DSP (Delta Shoulder Plate)
B 2 2” Bent Shoulder D Rings
C 1 MBP (Mini Back Plate)
D 2 DAPs (Drop Attache-ment Points)
E 2 2” Straight Waist D Rings
F 2 Buckle plates
G 2 wide gauge heavy duty Tri-glides
H 4 standard serrated Tri-glides
I 1” Low Profile Scooter D Ring
J Slotted BAT Wing Tri-glide
K Butt B Ring
L 2 small swiveling snap bolts
All hardware is heavy duty
passivated stainless steel
A
G
HL LH
B
DH EE HG D
F
B
C
J
I
K
5
1 The Razor Harness 2
1.2 Hardware Layout:
A DSP (Delta Shoulder Plate)
B 2 1” Low Profile Shoulder D Rings
C 1 MBP (Mini Back Plate)
D 2 DAPs (Drop Attache-ment Points)
E 4 1” Low Profile Waist D Rings
F 2 Buckle plates
G 2 wide gauge heavy duty Tri-glides
H 6 standard serrated Tri-glides
I 1” Low Profile Scooter D Ring
J Slotted BAT Wing Tri-glide
K Butt B Ring
L 2 small swiveling snap bolts
All hardware is heavy duty
passivated stainless steel
A
G
HL LH
B
DH H HHG
E E E E
D
F
B
C
J
I
K
Warm Water setup:
6
Figure 2:
Delta Shoulder Plate (DSP) & Mini Backplate (MBP):
1.2 Hardware Layout:
1 The Razor Harness 2
A
B
C DD C
A
C
B
7
A hex wrench to fasten the button head screws.
(included with the complete system in the
Universal Spares Kit.)
A lighter to burn and seal the ends of the cut webing and elastic bungee cord.
A knife or scissors to cut the harness webbing and the elastic bungee cord.
You will need the following tools to rig your Razor Harness:
2 Rigging the Razor Harness 2
2.1 Tools
8
2 Rigging the Razor Harness 2
Below is an easy to follow guide detailing the 10 steps to rigging and adjusting your Razor Harness.
Each step has supporting pictures.
It is highly recommended that you read through the guide and look at the
accompanying pictures to thoroughly familiarize yourself with the various
parts and assembly procedures before you start to put your Razor Harness
together.
Ideally you should have your Side-Mount Instructor rig your Razor Harness
with you.
Rigging the harness is much easier with 2 people.
No one is perfectly bilaterally symmetrical and a properly fitted harness will
not be either.
The person having the harness fitted should wear it while their partner makes
adjustments in situ to get the perfect fit.
If rigging the harness by yourself a full length mirror will help you to position
everything correctly.
Ideally when you rig the harness you should do so while wearing your normal
exposure protection so that it fits snugly. If that is not practicable then
wear clothing of a similar thickness to your normal exposure protection and
make sure you leave some extra webbing for later adjustments should they
be required.
It is highly recommended that you use the T weight system with the Razor
Harness however if you are going to put weight directly on the Razor Harness
then it is advisable to work out how much weight you will need and where you
want to place it on your harness before assembling it (see Step 9: Weighting
and Trim).
2.2 Overview
9
2 Rigging the Razor Harness 2
Your Razor Harness comes already partially pre-assembled to give you an idea
of how everything should fit together but you will need to make some adjustments to get the best fit possible.
You may need to disassemble it to replace the standard D rings with the low
profile D rings or to add weight directly to the harness itself although it is
recommended to use the T Weight System to add any weight you may need.
2.2 Overview
A Low profile D ring (for warm water divers)
B Standard 2" D ring (for cold water Divers)
A
B
10
The DSP is placed with the button head screw on the inside against the divers back
The DSP should be
positioned between
the shoulder blades
below the nape of the
neck.
To get the right height
place 1 arm behind your
head and the tips of your
fingers should just touch the
top of the DSP.
Make sure that the top of the DSP
is clear of your Drysuit neck seal or zipper.
It should also be positioned below
the closed zip position of a wetsuit.
Step 1: Positioning the Delta Shoulder Plate
2 Rigging the Razor Harness 2
A
C
B
11
Making sure the DSP remains in the correct position the shoulder D Rings
should be positioned at the same approximate height as the ends of the
clavicle.
To fine tune this position stand with both arms straight out from the shoulders palms facing down and thumbs extended then bend at the elbows until
the thumbs hit the shoulders without lowering the arms.
The D Rings should be placed at this height and can be moved to the ideal
location easily by sliding the serrated tri-glides either up or down the webbing
ensuring each side is even in height.
2 Rigging the Razor Harness 2
Step 2: Fitting the Chest D Rings
12
For divers using the warm water Low Profile D Ring Kit the standard 2” D
Rings should be changed for the 1” version in the LPDR Kit
The webbing will have to be unlaced from the MBP in order to do this.
Weights can be added to the Shoulder Straps where they exit the DSP and
before the shoulder D rings if required (see Step 9: Weighting and Trim)
but it is recommended to use the T Weight System rather than add weight
directly to the Razor Harness itself.
The webbing will have to be unlaced from the MBP and the shoulder D rings
removed in order to do this.
2 Rigging the Razor Harness 2
Step 2: Fitting the Chest D Rings
13
Adjustment
As the Crotch Strap end has a
sewn loop A with a 1”low profile scooter D Ring B.
It cannot be adjusted for
length from this end and
all the adjustment must
take place at the DSP C.
2 Rigging the Razor Harness 2
Step 3: Fitting the Lumbar / Crotch Strap
Position the top of the Crotch strap loop at
the correct height just below the belly button
and then pull the free end of the webbing
through slot C of the DSP until the correct
overall length is achieved making sure the
correct position of the DSP is maintained.
The Lumbar / Crotch Strap is a continuous piece of
webbing that begins at the DSP.
A
B
C
14
Adjustment
The free end of the webbing
should be doubled back through
the wide gauge Tri-glide on the
Lumbar strap to lock it in place.
2 Rigging the Razor Harness 2
Step 3: Fitting the Lumbar / Crotch Strap
If using a butt mounted primary light canister
remember to leave the crotch strap a little
loose so that it can pass over the light canister to hold it in place while diving or even
better size the crotch strap with light canister
in place.
The loop of webbing created between the DSP
and the wide gauge Tri-glide should be large
enough to comfortably pass the Side-Mount
Bungee and clip through with the
bottom of the loop in line with the
armpits (see Step 8: Sizing and
Fitting the Side-Mount Bungee).
A
C
B
15
Make sure to leave plenty of extra webbing for any adjustments that may be
required later then cut off any excess and burn the end to seal it.
The free end of the webbing should be on the underside of the Lumbar Strap
towards the diver and can be held neatly in place with a loop of bicycle tire
inner tube.
Weights can be added to the Lumbar Strap below the wide gauge Tri-glide if
required (see Step 9: Weighting and Trim) but it is recommended to use the
T Weight System rather than add weight directly to the Razor Harness itself.
Step 3: Fitting the Lumbar / Crotch Strap
2 Rigging the Razor Harness 2
16
The position of the MBP will determine the position of the lower attachment
points for the bottom of the Side-Mount Tanks.
Most divers will position the MBP at waist height but shorter divers may wish
to move the MBP lower to mid hip height to be able to position the side
mount tanks lower on the body for greater comfort.
Step 4: Adjusting the height of the MBP
2 Rigging the Razor Harness 2
17
Step 4: Adjusting the height of the MBP
2 Rigging the Razor Harness 2
A
C
B
A
B
C DD C
The MBP can be moved either up or down the lumbar/crotch strap webbing
until it is positioned in the ideal location based on individual diver preference.
A
B
C DD C
18
Pass each shoulder strap through the inside of slot C on the MBP then back
out through slot D.
The Harness should assume a “Heart Shape” at this point with the shoulder
straps entering on the inside of the MBP and the Waist Straps exiting on the
outside.
Tighten the shoulder straps until you have a snug fit which is even on both
sides with the DSP and MBP centered along the midline of your back and
the MBP at the desired height.
Step 5: Adjusting the length of the Shoulder Straps
2 Rigging the Razor Harness 2
19
Step 5: Adjusting the length of the Shoulder Straps
2 Rigging the Razor Harness 2
Weights can be added to the Waist Straps where they exit the MBP if
required but it is recommended to use the T Weight System rather than add
weight directly to the Razor Harness itself (see Step 9: Weighting and Trim).
All the hardware on both sides of the waist straps will have to be removed
in order to do this.
A
B
C DD C
20
The two Drop Attachment Points (DAPs) should be positioned on the waist
webbing either side of the MBP.
The DAP’s should be close to the MBP so that anything clipped to them will
not hang too far to the sides and get between the body and the SM tanks.
If required the loop of the DAP can be placed in a vice and bent gently to
have them stand off slightly from the body to make clipping in easier.
The DAPs are an ideal location to clip off the Razor Expandable Pouch as
well as other items such as reels or lift bags for example.
The DAPs can also be used to clip off a heavy butt mounted primary light
canister to give it more support if required.
Step 6: Fixing Attachment Hardware on the Waist Straps
2 Rigging the Razor Harness 2
A
B
C DD C
21
Now move the serrated belt slides and 2” straight D Rings until they are
positioned just behind the hipbone on each side of the waist strap webbing.
Make sure that both D Rings are positioned evenly and far enough back that
the bottom of the Side-Mount Tanks will not hang down below the body when
trimmed out in a horizontal position.
Weights can be added to the Waist Strap between the DAPs and the Hip D
ring if required but it is recommended to use the T Weight System rather
than add weight directly to the Razor Harness itself (see Step 9: Weighting
and Trim).
Hardware on both sides of the waist straps will have to be removed in order
to do this.
Extra attachment hardware such as a second D ring on each side can be
added at this point if required.
2 Rigging the Razor Harness 2
Step 6: Fixing Attachment Hardware on the Waist Straps
22
Steel tanks will tend to remain negative throughout the dive even as gas is
used from them however if using Aluminium 80cuft Side-Mount tanks a second attachment point further forward is necessary to adjust tank trim as gas
is breathed from the tanks and they get lighter and become more buoyant.
When the bottom of the tanks start to float up clipping them forward keeps
them horizontal along the sides of the divers body thus reducing profile and
drag.
The first D ring should be positioned behind the hip with the second d ring
positioned half way between this and the center line of the body.
The Low Profile D Ring Kit is ideal for use in warm water with Aluminium
Side-Mount tanks.
Step 6: Fixing Attachment Hardware on the Waist Straps
2 Rigging the Razor Harness 2
23
Attach the Low Profile Buckle to the left hand side of the webbing leaving
plenty of extra webbing for adjustments of the harness.
2 Rigging the Razor Harness 2
Step 7: Fitting the Low Profile Buckle
24
The loop of webbing between the buckle and the wide gauge Tri-glide should
be small enough so that neither of the buckle plates can rotate and are held
in the correct orientation.
The buckle should be positioned to fasten in the middle of the waist and be
covered by the crotch strap loop to streamline the configuration.
Make sure to leave plenty of extra webbing for any adjustments that may be
required later then cut off any excess and burn the end to seal it.
The free end of the webbing should be on the inside of the left Waist Strap
and can be held neatly in place with the loop of bicycle tire inner tube provided.
2 Rigging the Razor Harness 2
Step 7: Fitting the Low Profile Buckle
25
The buckle is tightened by passing the right hand waist strap through both of
the buckle plates and then back under the large plate.
2 Rigging the Razor Harness 2
Step 7: Fitting the Low Profile Buckle
The buckle can be tensioned or released
with just one hand making adjustments
on the fly while diving very easy.
The free end of the strap should be folded
back on itself and also tucked under the
piece of inner tube on the right hand
side webbing that has been provided to stop it from dangling
When the webbing is new it will
be stiff and somewhat difficult
to use but after a few dives it
will soften and develop a
certain amount of “memory”
that will make it much easier
to work with.
If you use soft webbing to
begin with it will get too
soft after a few uses and
the harness will tend not
retain its desired shape
which will make donning
and doffing it more
difficult and it will wear
much faster.
26
Clip the swiveling snap bolt already attached to the SM Bungee A to the
right hand shoulder D ring B and clip the free swiveling bolt snap C to the
left shoulder D ring.
Then run the free end of the SM Bungee across the chest D
and under the
left arm around the back E, passing it through the loop in the webbing
between the DSP and the wide slot Tri-glide F, under the right arm G and
back around the chest H to the left shoulder D Ring I.
Run the free end of the SM bungee through the loop of the bolt snap attached
to the left shoulder D Ring and pull on it until the cord is reasonably snug J.
2 Rigging the Razor Harness 2
Step 8: Sizing and Fitting the Side-Mount Bungee
A
D
B
F
G
H
I
J
C
E
27
This should be approximately the right length for the SM Bungee and it can
be temporarily attached to the snap bolt using a cable tie as shown below.
Now move the clips to the opposite D Rings so
that the SM Bungee is no longer crossing
the chest.
The elastic bungee cord runs across
the back, under the arms and attaches
to the outside of the shoulder D rings
when the Razor Harness is worn.
2 Rigging the Razor Harness 2
Step 8: Sizing and Fitting the Side-Mount Bungee
28
It will require some experimentation with your side mount tanks in the water
to get the exact length of the cord right so leave it long to begin with and
shorten it progressively as required.
Once you have got the ideal tension cut the cord to the appropriate length
burn the end to seal it and fix it permanently to the swiveling snap bolt with
one of the Hog rings provided as shown below.
The SM Bungee will stretch over time and may need
to be shortened periodically or replaced.
It is recommended to replace the SM Bungee regularly or as soon as it shows any sign of wear and tear.
It is strongly recommended to make up a second
SM Bungee and carry it with you while diving in the Expandable Pouch as a backup.
The complete Razor Side Mount System comes with
a Spare Side Mount Bungee included in the package.
A “Spare SM Bungee” is also available in the Go Side
Mount Online Shop as a separate item if required.
2 Rigging the Razor Harness 2
Step 8: Sizing and Fitting the Side-Mount Bungee
29
If using very heavy SM tanks then a thicker gauge bungee cord may be
required. Thicker bungee cord will also need larger gauge Hog rings.
The SM Bungee is not designed to support the SM tanks out of the water and
will be damaged or broken if this is attempted.
If a diver wishes to carry the tanks
on the harness out of the water
then a loop of heavy duty cord
can be tied around the tank
neck and a double ender used
to clip this to the shoulder
D rings.
2 Rigging the Razor Harness 2
Step 8: Sizing and Fitting the Side-Mount Bungee
30
Diving either under weighted or over weighted is inefficient and potentially dangerous. Correct weighting is critical to mastery of buoyancy control and trim allowing
easier more comfortable diving.
Both the correct amount of ballast weight required and its ideal position on the
diver need to be established.
Enter the water wearing all of your equipment including your normal exposure protection and full tanks.
Dump all of the air from both the Primary and Backup BAT Wing and your Drysuit
if you are using one.
Add any weight required until you are neutrally buoyant while holding a normal
breath just below the surface.
This is the amount of weight you will need to add to the T Weight System plus a
small amount extra to compensate for the weight of the gas in the tanks.
It is recommended to redo the weighting check at the end of the dive with the gas
in your SM tanks at 500psi
Now you will need to establish the correct positioning of the weight to improve trim,
swimming efficiency and your stability in the water.
Trim has 2 components horizontal (head to toe) and lateral (side to side).
Horizontal trim can be optimized by moving the weight higher or lower as required.
Lateral trim can be optimized by positioning weights as close to the center line of
the body as possible to minimize turning moments.
Having weights positioned as close as possible to both the center line of the body
and the middle of the body will give greater stability and therefore greater control
while diving in all orientations.
2 Rigging the Razor Harness 2
Step 9: Weighting and Trim
31
Weights can be added easily to either the Lumbar T Weight Belt or the Waist
T Weight Belt or to both if required.
The optimal positioning for ballast weight assuming neutral trim is to either
side of, or just above the MBP using both the Lumbar and Waist strap of the
T Weight System.
When using the BAT Wing this ensures that the center of gravity is also the
center of buoyancy thereby increasing stability and control.
If more head down trim is required which is often the case when sidemounting due to the tanks being lower on the diver and dropping the center
of gravity towards the feet then more of the ballast weight can be positioned
higher on the Lumbar Strap of the T Weight System to counteract this.
If more head up trim is required due then more of the ballast weight should
be positioned lower at the Waist Strap of the T Weight System
2 Rigging the Razor Harness 2
Step 9: Weighting and Trim
C
D D EE
AA
B
32
2 Rigging the Razor Harness 2
Step 9: Weighting and Trim
Refer to the Razor T Weight System section of this
manual for instructions on how to attach it correctly
to the Razor Harness.
Although not recommended weight can also be
added directly to the Razor Harness in the following
locations:
Positioning weights
A To each of the Shoulder
Straps where they
exit the DSP
B On the Lumbar Strap
below the DSP
C On the Lumbar Strap
above the MBP
D To each of the Waist Straps
either side of the MBP
E To each of the Waist
Straps between the DAP’s
and the Hip D rings
33
Normal lead block diving weights can be added to the harness by feeding the
webbing through them as you would with a standard weight belt (make sure
you leave some extra webbing to do this when you adjust the Razor).
The weight can be locked in position with a belt slide if required.
Weight pouches that slide onto the harness webbing and allow you to remove
or replace weights quickly and easily without having to disassemble the harness (for example when changing exposure protection or travelling) can also
be used but are not ideal as they have the tendency to slide around or have
the weight fall out.
2 Rigging the Razor Harness 2
Step 9: Weighting and Trim
34
Remember everything changes when you get wet!
Find some shallow open water or a swimming pool and try out the harness.
The Razor Harness should have a tight fit to increase control of buoyancy,
trim and equipment load.
A sloppy harness equates to a sloppy diver!
Swimming efficiency and gas consumption will improve when the diver and
equipment load are all one unit and move together.
Once you have made the final adjustments to your harness you can cut off
any extra webbing and burn the ends to seal them.
Remember to leave enough adjustment in the harness for changes in thickness of exposure protection or any gain in weight
All loose ends of webbing remaining can be held in place with the short sections of bicycle tire inner-tube provided.
Many divers choose to get 2 Razor Harnesses, 1 for cold water diving in a
Drysuit and 1 for warm water diving in a Wetsuit so that they do not have to
worry about adjusting the harness or changing D rings etc. when they change
environments.
All the other component of the Razor System will work with either harness
without any further changes needing to be made
2 Rigging the Razor Harness 2
Step 10: Final Adjustments
35
2 Rigging the Razor Harness 2
Step 10: Final Adjustments
36
There is no substitute for time spent in the water.
Take it easy to begin with while you get used to your new Razor Harness.
Please contact Go Side Mount directly if you have any questions or problems
with your Razor Harness.
Best Wishes
Steve Bogaerts
steve@gosidemount.com
www.gosidemount.com
shop.gosidemount.com
Last Step: Go Diving!
SIDE MOUNT SYSTEM
CAVE SOFTLY, DIVE SAFELY!
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