Indecisive and Analytical, Am I ready?

[ntmainstrm]

I also am new to BPW diving. I chose the Dive Rite SS BP mostly because I dove a Dive Rite Transpac in Bonnaire last spring and wanted to use the same wing on BP. In Bonnaire the surface swims were no problem and I never felt pushed foward on the surface. Last summer at Aurora Res. while working on DMC I did notice the feeling of fighting to keep my face out of water no matter how little air I put into the wing. Granted 7mm john and jacket plus advise to intentionally overweight a bit for helping OW students may have been the culprit. GF and I try to do pool time at least 1-2/month and you are welcome to join. Still ? on steel vs. soft BP but have decided I would rather have adjustable shoulder straps on harness after trying 1 piece webbing. I do like the crouch strap.
Hope this helps,
Lee

 

[diverjen]

Thanks again for everyone's feed back. Also, Thanks to the locals boudlerjohn, and ntmainstrm, for offering to help and suggesting some local community diving options. I am set to get my new DSS BPW setup on Tuesday next week, the 8th. Then my LDS is having a pool night on Weds, Jan. 16th I believe. My goal is to get my setup setup so that I can take it to the pool session and see what adjustments need to be made. I would love to hook up with other local divers more often as I have not been really good about making connections here in Colorado and I would like to be diving at least monthly even if it is just to do skills in the pool or local ponds, etc.

boulderjohn - thank you for the kind offer for help. I am going to try to get it setup on my own with videos, pics, etc. However, if I get really lost I might PM you if thats okay? I would be very interested in hearing about upcoming open water training opportunities in the region especially once the temperatures start to rise.

ntmainstrm - where are you doing pool time? The LDS I did OW with just started having week night pool sessions once a month. My husband and I would be really interested to meet some other local diving folks and hear about more pool opportunities. Also, it would be nice to know some couples that love diving.....

 

[BVickery]

Jen,

Best of luck and enjoy the new DSS BP/W. let us know how it all goes.

 

[boulderjohn]

boulderjohn - thank you for the kind offer for help. I am going to try to get it setup on my own with videos, pics, etc. However, if I get really lost I might PM you if thats okay? I would be very interested in hearing about upcoming open water training opportunities in the region especially once the temperatures start to rise.

You have an open invitation. Contact me whenever you like.

 

[diverjen]

Well my new DSS BP/W came at about 7pm last night. Instructions were included and my husband and I set out to get everything setup. It took us about an hour to get everything going with a few do overs. I made some adjustments with everything so that I think the fit is in the ball park. I am sure I will still have to play around with the adjustments and the drings. Everything looks really solid with good build quality. I like how streamlined it is. Now I just need to get some bolt snaps for my accessories. Obviously I can't wait to get in the water with it and give it a try. Thank you guys again for all of your feedback and help!

 

[ntmainstrm]

Diverjen,
I'll be interested to hear how this works for you. Did you purchase any type of ditchable weight pocket? You asked where we do pool time.
I live in the foothills and my GF lives in Broomfield so the best LDS pool we have found on the north side is Ocean First in Boulder. They offer a yearly pool pass. I think A1 and Underwater Phantaseas South also have large pools. I have heard that UF South's pool is saltwater.
Lee

 

[diverjen]

Hi ntmainstrm,

Thanks for the insight. I have been thinking about weighting a lot and was planing on doing some searching, etc. I have always worn a weight belt and will probably continue to do so, however, I would like to have a couple of weight pockets on either my weight belt or my harness so that I can make minor weight adjustments in the water if necessary. I was thinking about the xs scuba pockets or something similar. I had only recent read about weight harnesses so I don't have much of a feel for that. I was planning on doing some research and then if necessary making a new post, but insight in this area is appreciated as well.

We did our OW with A1 and they just started having once a month weeknight pool night. I called and I guess you can also do this anytime the pool is open which mostly means week day times during canonical work hours. We are out in Aurora, but I think its awesome that Ocean First has a yearly pool pass - I will have to look into that too. I should also see what the deal is at UP - I have heard a lot of good things about the Lakewood folks...

 

[halocline]

I would like to have a couple of weight pockets on either my weight belt or my harness so that I can make minor weight adjustments in the water if necessary. I was thinking about the xs scuba pockets or something similar.

If you ordered a steel plate, and you're coming from a jacket BC, I suspect you'll be able to drop 6-8 lbs from what you were using, maybe more, depending on how buoyant your jacket BC was. You'll be pleasantly surprised how much easier it is to descend from the surface. I like the XS scuba pockets, but not the quick-attach or quick release. Just get the simple camband pockets. You can slide them right on the waistbelt and keep them in place with the D rings, or a keeper if you're not using a right side D ring. They won't fall off; the other ones might. If you need to 'dump' weight you can just pull the weights out of the pocket, it's not difficult.

If you need more weight on your back, those pockets are excellent on cambands as well; that's what they're designed for. One of the more creative and enterprising members of SB built some velcro/webbing straps to hang weights on cambands and they also work fantastic; I use them all the time. They'd be easy to make. Others have simply threaded weights right on the cambands....so it's your choice.

 

[boulderjohn]

If you ordered a steel plate, and you're coming from a jacket BC, I suspect you'll be able to drop 6-8 lbs from what you were using, maybe more, depending on how buoyant your jacket BC was. You'll be pleasantly surprised how much easier it is to descend from the surface. I like the XS scuba pockets, but not the quick-attach or quick release. Just get the simple camband pockets. You can slide them right on the waistbelt and keep them in place with the D rings, or a keeper if you're not using a right side D ring. They won't fall off; the other ones might. If you need to 'dump' weight you can just pull the weights out of the pocket, it's not difficult.

If you need more weight on your back, those pockets are excellent on cambands as well; that's what they're designed for. One of the more creative and enterprising members of SB built some velcro/webbing straps to hang weights on cambands and they also work fantastic; I use them all the time. They'd be easy to make. Others have simply threaded weights right on the cambands....so it's your choice.

There are XS weight pockets with velcro attachments--perhaps that is what you meant by quick attach. You really don't want to use them on a waste band, because they will come apart and fall off. On the other hand, they work really well on the cam bands because the pressure of the bands around the tank holds them in place. The advantage is that they are really easy to move around if you are playing with the trim.

 

[Sol]

Pics or it didn't happen.

Well my new DSS BP/W came at about 7pm last night. Instructions were included and my husband and I set out to get everything setup. It took us about an hour to get everything going with a few do overs. I made some adjustments with everything so that I think the fit is in the ball park. I am sure I will still have to play around with the adjustments and the drings. Everything looks really solid with good build quality. I like how streamlined it is. Now I just need to get some bolt snaps for my accessories. Obviously I can't wait to get in the water with it and give it a try. Thank you guys again for all of your feedback and help!