BP/W for a New Diver

[3D diver]

So here's a "bubba" idea: would it be possible/practical to add a SS backplate to an existing BC by threading the tank cam straps through the plate? (between the BC & tank)

Might be a way to move some weight off my belt & could add a harness & wing later when the BC dies.

What is this dimension?

 

[mahjong]

I don't want to beat a dead horse, Tobin, but: Not all people complain even when encountering a problem, not least because a newer diver might not understand the problem or might blame themselves or might stop diving or might dive once a year, etc.

I bought one of my two short DSS plates on the aftermarket (the SS one, which I use regularly with singles and doubles--love it; the Kydex one I bought directly from you--haven't used it yet). The aftermarket might be a form of complaint not registered directly to you. I wouldn't draw a conclusion on the head banging problem based on a combination of complaints reported to you and pop-psychology (preconditioned to expect a problem) alone.

FACT: If you are short and dive an AL80 with a direct mounted rig, you WILL bang your head on your reg unless you mount your tank very low. And if you mount your tank very low, you will feel the tank pressing down on your butt and making it difficult to arch your back.

FACT: If your butt is small and/or you are especially lithe, maybe you can still go horizontal easily enough. If you turn the tank, maybe you can reduce some head banging. If you add an STA, maybe you can minimize the problem at both the top and the bottom.

Specious Reasoning: An absence of problem preconditioning will eliminate head banging and the splint effect of a close mounted long tank on the lower body of short people.

I doubt it has anything to do with cost. It costs a bit more to add more slots, but it's pretty small. I'd say it's just a more recent recognition that STA's can create as many problems as they purport to solve.

We've sold many thousands of BP&W's. We offer 5 sizes of plates, and have sold hundreds of small plates. While these are not "Golden Arches" type numbers it's clearly a large enough sample to determine if the dreaded "head dangerously banging into the reg" problem is widespread. It's not.

Most divers quickly adapt if their rig is correctly setup, and they haven't been preconditioned to expect a problem.

Tobin

 

[cool_hardware52]

I don't want to beat a dead horse, Tobin, but: Not all people complain even when encountering a problem, not least because a newer diver might not understand the problem or might blame themselves or might stop diving or might dive once a year, etc.

I bought one of my two short DSS plates on the aftermarket (the SS one, which I use regularly with singles and doubles--love it; the Kydex one I bought directly from you--haven't used it yet). The aftermarket might be a form of complaint not registered directly to you. I wouldn't draw a conclusion on the head banging problem based on a combination of complaints reported to you and pop-psychology (preconditioned to expect a problem) alone.

FACT: If you are short and dive an AL80 with a direct mounted rig, you WILL bang your head on your reg unless you mount your tank very low. And if you mount your tank very low, you will feel the tank pressing down on your butt and making it difficult to arch your back.

FACT: If your butt is small and/or you are especially lithe, maybe you can still go horizontal easily enough. If you turn the tank, maybe you can reduce some head banging. If you add an STA, maybe you can minimize the problem at both the top and the bottom.

Specious Reasoning: An absence of problem preconditioning will eliminate head banging and the splint effect of a close mounted long tank on the lower body of short people.

Any diver is free to come here or any of the other Scuba Diving forums and report their expereinces with any piece of gear regardless of how they obtained it. They certainly don't have to buy it new to log on here.

You are quite correct that preconditioning will have no effect on the actual dive gear geometry.

Preconditioning will most definitely impact the user's perception. Is having your head contact a regulator a huge problem / deal breaker / can't possibly dive with such a horrible thing or is it something one can easily adapt to? I'd argue that most easily adapt, and continue to dive with no long list of horribles befalling them.

As I have already noted, doubles divers routinely rest the back of their head on the Iso. It's a little odd at first, but most adapt pretty quickly, they don't start adding spacers between their plate and tanks.

Tobin

 

[Deep South Divers]

As I have already noted, doubles divers routinely rest the back of their head on the Iso. It's a little odd at first, but most adapt pretty quickly, they don't start adding spacers between their plate and tanks.

Tobin

Heeeey... That's a good idea!

Just kidding.

 

[mahjong]

Good luck with that. All in all, I would say there are better and easier ways to add 5 or 6 lbs of weight to a BCD than by trying to install a SS BP.

So here's a "bubba" idea: would it be possible/practical to add a SS backplate to an existing BC by threading the tank cam straps through the plate? (between the BC & tank)

Might be a way to move some weight off my belt & could add a harness & wing later when the BC dies.

 

[3D diver]

Good luck with that. All in all, I would say there are better and easier ways to add 5 or 6 lbs of weight to a BCD than by trying to install a SS BP.

Yeah, just thinking outloud.

I've already threaded some lead on the tank straps.

I was just thinking that if the slots lined up with the tank bands the backplate might be a little more stable than the weights. I wouldn't want a strap to come loose & have a few weights slide off.

 

[Deep South Divers]

What is this dimension?

5 1/4" on my Scott Koplin plate, now sold by Oxycheq.

My OMS plates don't have cam band slots.

My FredT's measurement is 6".

I'll get you a measurement on a Halcyon and Dive Rite later.

Perhaps other people can give you the measurements of their plates.

3D diver, what sort of BC do you have? Perhaps you could buy a backplate and rig it with a Hogarthian harness and steal the wing and cam bands from your BC and later replace the wing when the old one dies.

 

[3D diver]

Thanks again.

That photo is the HOG plate from the DRIS web site:

HOG Gear Backplate Stainless Steel - Dive Right In Scuba - Plainfield, IL

My BC is an old US divers model, sorry don't know the model number etc. I have a jam tonight so won't have access to it to measure or photograph til late tonight or tomorrow. It has a fairly narrow plastic backplate & I'm not sure it would be possible to replace it (the plastic one) with a new backplate & harness.

That DRIS special is tempting...but I'm nuts about money...at $750 I balked 'cause it seemed too high, at $300 I hesitate 'cause I'm not sure it has what I need. I can waffle like that forever & spend a fortune on "bubba" fixes in the meantime.



Update 3/14/12:

BC is a US Divers Calypso SBC

Tank strap distance = 4.5" measured bottom-of-strap to bottom-of-strap.

 

[buddhasummer]

I have an Agir STA as well. Very nice. It's already shorter than most standard STA's and so even the outer cam slots are closer together than most, plus you have the third one if need be. They designed the STA for shorter steel tanks, I think particularly Faber LP95's, which seem to be popular over there. With the long boot on these shorter fatter steel tanks, standard STA's without a third cam slot are almost too long for a secure mount.

I still need to order some metric star hand nuts from Europe to use with the Agir STA (or, Agir offered to rethread the bolt holes for 3/8" imperial).

Or you could order the 8mm thumb wheels from DSS that's what I did they work a treat. If I was using a SS AGIR plate and SS STA I'd probably get the AGIR SS star wheels they do like very nice.

 

[seasss]

Hi guys! I just wanted to thank everyone for the continued discussion and advice!! I am seriously learning a ton here. You guys are awesome!