Types of BC's

[DevonDiver]

Yes, you can use single cylinder.

Some backplates are suitable for attaching 2 cambands directly and they will hold the cylinder in a stable way.

Other backplates are not stable enough for a direct camband attachment to the cylinder and you will have to use a Single Tank Adaptor, whic bolts onto the backplate.

 

[skyward]

This is really good information. As a new diver I wasn't even aware of the BP/W setup.

Most of my diving so far and likely in the future will be while traveling. What would you recommend to get the functionality and safety and still keep the weight and bulk to a minimum?

I've got a trip booked to Little Cayman in January and the luggage allowance is only one bag and 50lbs so weight is a big factor. By the time you include fins, mask, reg, computer, camera, strobe, light, etc plus clothes and stuff for two weeks there's not much room left.

The original plan was to rent a BCD but it sounds appealing to have something I know will fit properly and is in good shape. The other benefits like streamlining and trim sound good too.

Doug

 

[Prof]

I'm currently in the market for a new BCD as with time and experience I have grown to learn that the fit on my existing one is too large for me and certain features of it just annoy me. The jacked has been notorious for trapped air and I've lost count of the amount of times I've wriggled into all manner of positions attempting to exhaust it.

For the last week or so I've been reading up on BCDs and BP/W systems non-stop but hadn't really found anything to completely sway me until now. This thread has been extremely helpful and I think I've finally made up my mind that I'll be converting over to a BP/W. The thing that slightly concerns me is putting it all together. My experiences lie solely with BCD's at present and I have had not had chance to study a wing 'in the flesh' so to speak. I understand the main components are the harness, backplate and wing itself. But is it a simple task of piecing it all together? Is anything extra required?

I doubt I'll go down the HOG harness route and am in fact quite found of the Apeks WTX harness which I'd identified before finding this thread. Maybe the number of d-rings is quite excessive but I can't imagine it would prohibit my diving in any way! I like the fact that with these types of harnesses you have quick release clips. Out of interest, on a HOG harness system, how do you ditch your gear in an emergency?

On the subject of the Apeks WTX harness... The thing that has slightly put me off perhaps purchasing is that its specification reads that size Medium is a 29-60" waist. That's fine. I'm a 30" waist. But then it states that if you include the Surelock Integrated Weight attachments the minimum waist range increases to 33-60" which would be too large for me. I interpret from that using the integrated weight system would be a problem for me then which would be a real shame. I always have found that when wearing a weight belt I tend to hang vertical since I have small hips and the weight therefore sits quite low on my body.

 

[DevonDiver]

Most of my diving so far and likely in the future will be while traveling. What would you recommend to get the functionality and safety and still keep the weight and bulk to a minimum?

The beauty of a minimalist BP/W set-up is that it will provide everything you need, with nothing surplus... and offers a very lightweight, low-profile option - both for travelling and diving.

If you use an Ali backplate, on an appropriately small sized wing, then it really is a great travelling option.

There are soft backplate versions also...and hybrid ' jacket wing bcds'. But these do tend to introduce 'surplus' clutter to the rig that you will never appreciate.

 

[Teamcasa]

...On the subject of the Apeks WTX harness... The thing that has slightly put me off perhaps purchasing is that its specification reads that size Medium is a 29-60" waist. That's fine. I'm a 30" waist. But then it states that if you include the Surelock Integrated Weight attachments the minimum waist range increases to 33-60" which would be too large for me. I interpret from that using the integrated weight system would be a problem for me then which would be a real shame. I always have found that when wearing a weight belt I tend to hang vertical since I have small hips and the weight therefore sits quite low on my body.

My lovely bride uses the WTX Harness with the SureLoc weight pockets as does a very slender young man that dives with us on occasion. The weight pockets are adjustable as to their position on the harness and belt so not to worry, it will fit just fine.

 

[rstofer]

I'm currently in the market for a new BCD as with time and experience I have grown to learn that the fit on my existing one is too large for me and certain features of it just annoy me. The jacked has been notorious for trapped air and I've lost count of the amount of times I've wriggled into all manner of positions attempting to exhaust it.

Yes, this is one of the bigger reasons for making the change. Particularly if you are moving from a jacket style as opposed to a rear-inflate.

For the last week or so I've been reading up on BCDs and BP/W systems non-stop but hadn't really found anything to completely sway me until now. This thread has been extremely helpful and I think I've finally made up my mind that I'll be converting over to a BP/W. The thing that slightly concerns me is putting it all together. My experiences lie solely with BCD's at present and I have had not had chance to study a wing 'in the flesh' so to speak. I understand the main components are the harness, backplate and wing itself. But is it a simple task of piecing it all together? Is anything extra required?

Tank bands. I have bought several pair of the Dive Rite bands and they are excellent. Tank Straps and Tank Adapters by Dive Rite - Dive Gear Express

I doubt I'll go down the HOG harness route and am in fact quite found of the Apeks WTX harness which I'd identified before finding this thread. Maybe the number of d-rings is quite excessive but I can't imagine it would prohibit my diving in any way! I like the fact that with these types of harnesses you have quick release clips. Out of interest, on a HOG harness system, how do you ditch your gear in an emergency?

If you're in the water, just unbuckle the waist belt and drop the crotch strap. The rig will float away. On land look at the picture in the 2d row, 2d column here Equipment Images I have been practicing this technique because I have been bitching about how awkward it seems. I think grasping the D rings with the thumbs is a better approach.

There are a number of harnesses with QR buckles that don't get quite as sophisticated as the WTX. Look at the QR harness here: Backplates & Harnesses by Dive Rite - Dive Gear Express

The reason for the chest strap is to keep the shoulder strap on the chest long enough to be able to fit a QR buckle. Without the chest strap, the shoulder strap comes over the shoulder and immediately starts down and rearward toward the backplate. See those photos again.

I have a fancy harness on my DSS BP/W and I like it just fine. On my other rigs, all use the HOG system and, over time, I am getting to like them. Eventually, I will convert my DSS rig.

On the subject of the Apeks WTX harness... The thing that has slightly put me off perhaps purchasing is that its specification reads that size Medium is a 29-60" waist. That's fine. I'm a 30" waist. But then it states that if you include the Surelock Integrated Weight attachments the minimum waist range increases to 33-60" which would be too large for me. I interpret from that using the integrated weight system would be a problem for me then which would be a real shame. I always have found that when wearing a weight belt I tend to hang vertical since I have small hips and the weight therefore sits quite low on my body.

You didn't say how much weight you are carrying or where you are diving. You can put small amounts of weight on a HOG harness and still fit a 30" waist. I have a couple of these XS Scuba Quick Release Single Weight Pocket WB101QR with reviews at scuba.com They don't work very well with 2# weights that I use in the pool. They will work better with 4 or 5# weights.

The other option is a weight harness like the DUI Weight & Trim Classic (the Classic because the weight position is adjustable). DUI - Weight & Trim Systems There are some others like Seawolf Weight Harness I don't know that any of these will fit you. In general, DUI recommends that the top of the weight pocket be even with the top of the hip bone. In other words, quite low.

Again, not knowing where you dive, it's not possible to say which plate would be better. A stainless steel plate might be appropriate for cold water and it puts a few pounds of weight over your back. An aluminum plate might be 2# and a Kydex plate even less. Then there are weight plates that add another 8# to the backplate..
https://www.deepseasupply.com/index.php?category=backplate_acc

I would highly recommend you just call Deep Sea Supply and cut to the chase. It is top-of-the-line gear and the customer support is excellent. Tobin can work through all the details of equipment selection.

Richard

 

[TSandM]

To me, the most important features of a BC are that it has to fit, and fit well, and hold the tank stable, and it has to have adequate but not excessive lift for the purpose. It has to vent easily, and have some attachment points to help keep gear tidy.

I clip very little to my BC, except my pressure gauge and my lighthead and primary reg when they are not being used. Anything you clip to you runs the risk of being lost, and also the risk of getting tangled up if you dive near kelp or weeds, or anywhere where there's fishing line or navigational line. Putting stuff in pockets keeps it much more secure, and streamlines you. At any rate, I've found 4 d-rings to be more than adequate, even for tech and cave diving. (Yeah, you need the 5th on the crotch strap for the scooter . . . )

The beauties of a backplate system are that you can configure it to match what you are doing, and if what you are doing changes with time, you can adapt it easily. I have, for example, a 17 lb tropical singles wing, a 30 lb cold water singles wing, and 40 lb doubles wing -- but they all fit on the same backplate, if I want them to. (Of course, being a gear junkie, I have different backplates for different applications as well, but you don't HAVE to do that.)

A backplate rig comes apart as far as you want to take it. It's easy to take the wing off and roll it up, and to take the cambands off, and then you just have the plate and the attached harness, which packs up pretty flat. A light (Al or Kydex) backplate may weigh less than a standard BC, too, by a couple of pounds.

For cold water divers, the advantage of having a stainless plate become part of your ballast is very nice. It puts weight up on your shoulders, where it helps you stay horizontal, and typically eliminates a couple of pounds of weight you had to carry to sink the padding in a traditional BC.

There are some very reasonable BCs out there -- my husband dives a Balance sometimes, and likes it a lot (but he dives his BP/W more). I have a little pink and black jacket BC that I use in the pool with students, and it fits me very well and keeps the small tank I use in the pool stable -- but I think I'd miss my crotch strap a lot if I tried to use it with the heavy steels I use in Puget Sound.

The really important thing is fit and stability, and as the OP observed, it's very difficult to evaluate those things when walking around in a shop, particularly without your exposure protection, and without a tank in the cambands.

 

[Prof]

Well I think I'm completely sold on the BP/W idea. It's now a case of selecting my gear. I know a lot of you rave about DSS but unfortunately they're pretty much out of the question for me since I'm UK based.

I must say I'm leaning towards the Apeks WTX Harness. I really like the look of it. I like the fact that it's adjustable since I don't really want a complete HOG system just yet. I like the fact I wouldn't need to purchase a backplate alongside it to start with since it comes pre-configured to take a single tank. I've heard and can see that it would be comfortable. And.. the huge number of D-Rings doesn't really bother me! I'm just trying to find out now if it comes with cam bands.

As for the wing - it's a toss-up between the Frog Indigo and WTX3. They actually look very similar in design. I've heard very little about the WTX3 but every report on the Indigo is that it's excellent; a clone of the Halycon equivalent in fact. The difference is that the WTX3 is almost half the price of the Indigo. It's thinking time...

Now am I right in thinking if the WTX Harness comes with cam belts and I get either of them two wings, I'll have all I need to set up the system when it arrives?

 

[leapfrog]

Just a note on buoyancy devices and weights. Your buoyancy compensator is your life-saving device in an emergency and you should therefore consider your BCD as life-support equipment.The diver should float face up at the surface by inflating the BCD. Wings are not for everyone because they may float the diver face down, posing danger in a life-threatening situation.

However, fixed weights on the diver's cylinder will help ensure that an unconscious diver wearing BC wings or a stab jacket does not float face down. With inflatable wings or a vest, the center of buoyancy can be too far from the diver's head in an emergency. So wings now come with weight pouches so the diver's position can be adjusted more easily.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

Just a note on buoyancy devices and weights. Your buoyancy compensator is your life-saving device in an emergency and you should therefore consider your BCD as life-support equipment.The diver should float face up at the surface by inflating the BCD. Wings are not for everyone because they may float the diver face down, posing danger in a life-threatening situation.

However, fixed weights on the diver's cylinder will help ensure that an unconscious diver wearing BC wings or a stab jacket does not float face down. With inflatable wings or a vest, the center of buoyancy can be too far from the diver's head in an emergency. So wings now come with weight pouches so the diver's position can be adjusted more easily.

Actually a BCD is not a life saving device. It even says on the inside tags of both my OMS wings and my Oxycheq wings that the device is NOT a life jacket.
If someone is over weighted to the point that if they dump all their air from their air cell and sink like a rock then they are overweighted for single tank diving in my opinion.
In my world, peak buoyancy means that at the end of a the dive I can hold a perfect stop at 15 feet with no air in my wing. This translates to when I get to the surface I can float with no air in my wing. If I really need to be positive further yet on the surface for some emergency I could always dump my belt in addition.
If a diver is using a steel tank and is properly weighted using a BP/W there is no reason why they would be pitched face first into the water. This is usually a result of being overweighted and having to rely on a quantity of air in the wing to remain flaoting which will have a tendancy to pitch the diver foreward.