I am thinking about getting an Al backplate and Oxycheq Mach V wing for travel and warm water diving. Is a metal backplate comfortable when diving with just a swim suit? I would like to keep it very basic. Just a few d rings are all I would like to add.
Backplate comfort
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sink-er-swim
Contributor
I've worn mine with just a rash guard, very comfortable. I prefer a 2 mil shorty but the rash guard is still nice.
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I dive bareback in the pools and it's not a problem for me. Not a whole lot of walking around though. A thin rash guard or something should work fine though, even a plain t-shirt will work on reducing the abrasion from the straps. Be mindful of the wingnuts though. If the plate digs into you at all the wing nuts from a STA can be quite painful
Dave616
Contributor
Buying a rash guard is cheaper and more minimalistic than buying the padding for a BP/Harness.
fisheater
Contributor
AND it doesn't change your weighting for the worse.
I dive in warm water only. I use a 2.5 mm vest which works great.
nelsondejesus
Contributor
I used to own an apeks (with special harness and comfort padding), and an OMS (with backplate padding). My assessment? the padding is not really necessary and can be done away with, even if you're just wearing a rashguard.
DevonDiver
N/A
I wear a rash guard, because of jellyfish and sunburn. BP&W (with Hog harness) is perfectly comfortable with that, even for extended (1 hr+) dives.
- Nothing is comfortable with just a swim suit.
- Even in very warm water, a little bit of thermo protection will make for a more comfortable dive. The longer/more frequent the dive plan the more important a little insulation becomes.
- A little protection from the sun and jellies is pretty much enough reason to always wear at least a rash guard.
YouTube - Deep Sea Supply LCD20 wing on a Freedom Plate
The predominant inherent design flaw in most standard back plates
that knowone wishes to address is the top positioning of the straps.
This link provides an idea of how straps should leave the top of a plate
thus spreading the strap load over a greater more comfortable surface.
The predominant inherent design flaw in most standard back plates
that knowone wishes to address is the top positioning of the straps.
This link provides an idea of how straps should leave the top of a plate
thus spreading the strap load over a greater more comfortable surface.
Last edited:
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