As larger-chested female, I have trouble with most fire suspenders, and they seem to cause the suspenders to slide apart, outward and off my shoulders. I was wondering if anyone had any ideas on how to fix it, or even if there already is a strap to correct it. Thanks!
Keep topics ON the topic. A few too many threads lately seem to be made light of. If you cannot respond on the topic, without hijacking the thread by making jokes, don't respond.
You might want to try a simple, heavy duty, Velcro strap to hold the front portion of the suspenders together in what position is most comfortable for you. There are also heavy duty fasteners sold at outdoor places that should have the same type of polyester webbing that you would already find on your current straps.
Let us know what you end up working with.
I don't see how your suspenders would be any different than my wildland pack or even the USFS green hose packs. They have an additional horizontal strap that has a small plastic buckle to keep the shoulders straps together. Seems you should be able to retrofit your suspenders to prevent them from sliding apart. Stay safe, Mike
Lloyd- I did try that one, but they still ended up pulling away to the sides, and them being crossed actually choked me. Not fun. Besides, that's not regulation. Everyone else- Thanks for all the advice- I'll check out the links, and try to figure something out. The only problem is the solution I come up with is going to have no NOT add to donning time, up to maybe a second extra. I have essentials coming up, and I hate to think that I'd be thought of as the pain in the ass female firefighter who needs special accommodations. Thanks!
Not to belabor this topic but there are so many "quick and easy" ways to resolve this... it just depends on what materials and/or resources you have available. and as far as worrying about the special accommodations issues, just think of the firefighter with a beer belly... see any difference with having something in the way, messing with the suspenders? nope...
Consider taking your suspenders to an auto upholstery shop and have them sew in a nylon strap with a male / female plastic buckle. You need to secure the strap to the suspenders so they don't slide down and you want to have say in where the strap is placed, ie. you don't want it placed too low or high for both comfort and ease of use. You may even consider using an elastic type of material to allow more comfort and freedom when moving. All you are trying to do here is keep the suspenders a reasonable distance apart and keep you turnout pants on... This is how I would resolve the issue. Hope this helps. ms
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You're right, Dave. How dare anyone make light of such a weighty topic as Suspenders for Large-Chested Females! Doing that might lead to an even larger cleavage between the Haves and the Have-Nots.