Deaths due to Backplate/Wing or Rear Inflation BCDs

[RAWalker]

I have dived 2 back inflators the first a Sherwood Tortuga the second a OMS SS BP/wing
neither force me face down to the point I can't comfortable breath on the surface. If a chance exists to become unconsious on the surface a SMB may be used for extra buoyancy around the front of body and under the arms should do the trick while waiting for a rescue.

 

[Noboundaries]

I can't personally speak about the BP/Wing setup, but I have experience with both jacket style/non-integrated weights BC and my back inflated/weight integrated BC.

With the jacket style/weight belt, trim was a concern. I never did get it right but that was on my early dives. Floating on the surface was easy. Diving out of trim was a PITA.

I bought a back inflate/weight integrated BC and quickly learned to fill the non-releasable weight pockets in the back FIRST, then the front pockets. If you only have weights in the front pockets and none in the back, you're going face down in the water on the surface. With the weights in the back pockets and the front, you'll be trimmed correctly and won't have a problem on the surface.

I loved the back inflate/weight integrated BC from the first moment I descended with it. Trim was basically a non-issue and the horizontal position was a piece of cake.

 

[Boxcar Overkill]

I read a study recently that found no BC, regardless of whether it was jacket style or BP/W, would reliably keep a diver face-up in the water.

The author's concluded that no one should confuse their BC for a life jacket.

 

[Rick Murchison]

I read a study recently that found no BC, regardless of whether it was jacket style or BP/W, would reliably keep a diver face-up in the water.

The author's concluded that no one should confuse their BC for a life jacket.

And that, folks, is the bottom line.
And therefore, swinchen's friend should get what works best for him diving, realizing that if unconscious and floating on the surface, it'll most likely be face down, regardless of what sort of BC he gets.
--
As an aside, over the years, with the help of many other divers, I've tested many BC's, wings, harnesses, BPs etc., specifically to address this issue.
With a single AL 80, if a diver will simulate unconsciousness (lock arms in place, and cross the legs to keep them from moving, even accidentally), from a vertical starting position the diver will end up face down with every BC newer than the old Mae West/horse collar styles.
Rick

 

[halocline]

As Rick implies, an AL80, especially an empty one, increases the face down issue because the bottom of the tank is buoyant. A steel plate or lots of trim weights in the back can help your surface orientation, but divers need to evaluate and buy dive equipment based on how it dives, not how it acts on the surface, not how it feels or looks in the dive shop, and not how it solves some imaginary problem invented by the marketing department at the gear company.

 

[Fishpie]

The only BC that has any chance of floating an unconscious diver at the surface is the Scubapro Finseal type jacket. I think it is called the Classic or Black now? I seem to remember that Mares also had a similar jacket BC called a Vector 840.
These jackets have an air cell that has buoyancy over the shoulders.

 

[diver 85]

IMO, if your friend is worried about that situation, get him to skip scuba & stay with snorkling in a pool..........

 

[DwayneJ]

IMO, if your friend is worried about that situation, get him to skip scuba & stay with snorkling in a pool..........

I would agree - IMHO your friend has the opportunity of taking their time and trying out various BCV's before making a big purchase - To make a comment and say BP/W could cause "..." would seem to imply an irrational personal concern for their safety and likely scuba is not for them.

Any BCV system can be a problem due to configuration and it is up to the diver to be proactive and work with their gear configuration until they find what works for them.

As an example, I found I like a steel plate vs an aluminum plate as it decreases my weight around my waist by 4 pounds. A friend dives with 4lbs weight attached to the bottom of his tank... I don't.

The point is the right gear you you and the right gear for your friend needs to be a personal decision based on experience and configuration - not a dumb assumption.

I love my BP/W and could never see myself using any other style BCV - It works perfectly... for me.

 

[Thalassamania]

I read a study recently that found no BC, regardless of whether it was jacket style or BP/W, would reliably keep a diver face-up in the water.

The author's concluded that no one should confuse their BC for a life jacket.

A FENZY will.

 

[swinchen]

A FENZY will.

Woa! Those look neat. Even though I love my BP/W I would like to try one of those. Can they even be purchased anymore? It seems like I can only find images online. That and someone who made a CS re-breather... with a coffee can.

Sam