Modified Pterodactyl Design

Hello everyone...Gary A. Cresswell here. I am writting this time to comment on a variation of the Pterodactyl backplate that I have designed for John Chatterton, at his request. The included picture is of John and his dive buddy, Richie Kohler (background). In the past year, John has mentioned to me that he really likes the Pterodactyl design. The patented harness rollers allow for such easy gearing-up that is unlike the harnesses of any other backplate. However, most of his diving these days is with a closed-circuit rebreather...the Ouroboros. The Ouroboros CCR is a highly sophisticated machine (and expensive!) but apparently, the manufacturer has not put much thought into the backplate and harness for this product. Commenting on the Pterodactyl Backplate/Harness System, John writes, "I think you hit a home run with this. It is carefully thought out, designed and constructed. It makes my other backplates look lame. I need to get something like this for my rebreather." Interestingly, John is not the only owner of an Ouroboros CCR who does not like the backplate and harness that came with this product. I have gotten e-mails from a few other Ouroboros owners who have inquired if I have a variation of the Pterodactyl that would fit their CCR. After meeting with John last May, taking pictures and getting measurements of the Ouroboros, I began to design a modified Pterodactyl. Many hours went into this project. The choice of material was aluminum (to cut weight) and I included provision to mount two six cubic foot bottles for "offboard gas"...drysuit and BC inflation. This innovative design was well-received by John. Due to technical difficulties with the CCR (a leak in the breathing loop that the manufacturere will need to correct), production of this prototype has been shelved for now. As soon as I get The Green Light from John...I WILL BUILD THIS BAD BOY! Expect to be severely-blogged when that happens.

Cheers,
Gary A. Cresswell