Back plate BCD vs. jacket style back inflation.

[DevonDiver]

In general I don't think you can use a BP/W for sidemount. The problem I think is that the wing will float up on you without the tank holding it in position. I could be wrong though, you should probably ask in the sidemount forum.

The issue with avoiding the inevitable 'taco' can be overcome with some inventive thread-work, or by using an adapter (such as the OMS Profile). Take a look at this thread: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/si...ject-frankenstein-my-diy-sidemount-trial.html which details a conversion project I played with. It's better with a soft-plate though: see here for pics. Nonetheless, you can't beat a dedicated sidemount rig for function and light-weight IMHO.

 

[Alzer]

The issue with avoiding the inevitable 'taco' can be overcome with some inventive thread-work, or by using an adapter (such as the OMS Profile). Take a look at this thread: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/si...ject-frankenstein-my-diy-sidemount-trial.html which details a conversion project I played with. It's better with a soft-plate though: see here for pics. Nonetheless, you can't beat a dedicated sidemount rig for function and light-weight IMHO.

That's Great Devon,
From what I have been learning from all of you folks is that there isn't a single answer to bcds. I will plan on testing the bcd's thoroughly to find what works well for me. Even though some of jacket styles are affordable, It seems that a back inflate or a BP/W would be a good choice (not necessarily in the beginning of my diving) in the long run. I am now two weeks away from my OW Classes and I'm getting more and more excited by the day.

Anyone have any advise as far as making sure that I am in the proper physical shape for the class? Jogging, Swimming, or open water free diving?

 

[bbarnett51]

Im a recreational diver only. Ive been diving since I was 14 and got certified when I was 16. I'm now 37. During that time I've tried many BC. In my opinion the most comfortable, easiest, streamlined, and over all fun to dive with setup...is a bp/w, with a STANDARD harness, and a weight belt. Granted I think I now only have 25 dives on it but it's FANTASTIC!

 

[TSandM]

Well, you will have to do a swim test and a ten minute tread water test, if your class is PADI, anyway. So practicing your swimming and treading water would be good. We do see some not terribly unfit people who have trouble with the tread. They tend to be people with low body fat, heavy bones, and a lot of muscle mass. Overall, though, the fitness requirements for a beginning dive class are not particularly difficult.

If you have your mask and snorkel, though, you can get a leg up on the class by practicing no-mask breathing with the snorkel, and flooding and clearing a mask. This can be done in a kitchen sink, although it's easier and less messy to do it in a bathtub, hot tub or swimming pool.

 

[Alzer]

Well, you will have to do a swim test and a ten minute tread water test, if your class is PADI, anyway. So practicing your swimming and treading water would be good. We do see some not terribly unfit people who have trouble with the tread. They tend to be people with low body fat, heavy bones, and a lot of muscle mass. Overall, though, the fitness requirements for a beginning dive class are not particularly difficult.

If you have your mask and snorkel, though, you can get a leg up on the class by practicing no-mask breathing with the snorkel, and flooding and clearing a mask. This can be done in a kitchen sink, although it's easier and less messy to do it in a bathtub, hot tub or swimming pool.[/QUOTE

I'm one of those people that cant seem to tread water well. I can float around slowly like a dog paddle. If i'm wearing my mask and snorkel in the pool, I find that I float at about eye level, when I inhale I go up (surprise). I seem to do better floating on my stomach. Suggestions on solving that problem with out a mask and snorkel?

 

[danvolker]

Well, you will have to do a swim test and a ten minute tread water test, if your class is PADI, anyway. So practicing your swimming and treading water would be good. We do see some not terribly unfit people who have trouble with the tread. They tend to be people with low body fat, heavy bones, and a lot of muscle mass. Overall, though, the fitness requirements for a beginning dive class are not particularly difficult.

If you have your mask and snorkel, though, you can get a leg up on the class by practicing no-mask breathing with the snorkel, and flooding and clearing a mask. This can be done in a kitchen sink, although it's easier and less messy to do it in a bathtub, hot tub or swimming pool.

In 72 they used to have us do survival float as well..the curling up in a ball and rotating your head for breaths....this was something you should be able to do for 24 hours, if you had to...would this qualify for the treading water"

---------- Post added June 28th, 2013 at 01:32 PM ----------

[video]http://www.ehow.com/video_4977972_survival-float.html[/video]

 

[TSandM]

Most people will float at about eye level if vertical and not moving -- it's because we are very nearly neutral in the water!

What you are required to do in the tread depends on the instructor. You are not supposed to swim, in the sense of making progress. But I did most of my "tread" by leaning back and floating, because I am very positive (too much fat and not enough bone, I suspect!). If you are neutral, as you describe, you only have to make some gentle motions with your feet and hands to keep your head out of the water. That shouldn't be too difficult to do for ten minutes. Most of our students manage it pretty easily.

 

[Alzer]

I'm going to spend some time working on treading water, and getting my legs built up with my fins as well as doing some freestyle swimming to help with building up the shoulders a bit. I guess my biggest concern was the treading water since you are not allowed to use mask and snorkel. LOL

 

[danvolker]

I'm going to spend some time working on treading water, and getting my legs built up with my fins as well as doing some freestyle swimming to help with building up the shoulders a bit. I guess my biggest concern was the treading water since you are not allowed to use mask and snorkel. LOL

If you wanted to build your shoulders, that would be time at the gym.....swimming would not be the ideal way to do this, and you don't swim with your arms in diving.
Fin swimming WOULD be good, as it is specific to what you need, and you can build up power and speed by doing in minute intervals at max sustainable speed for a minute, then 4 minutes poking along slow, then 1 minute full tilt again....start with a set of maybe 4 or 5 intervals, and see how you feel 2 days later before deciding you can do more intervals in a set..or before adding a second set in a workout day.... Of course, you know most divers are way to lazy to do any kind of conditioning anything like this !!! Most will say you don't need it. If we are talking about a person that has been very sedentary for many years--then yes, they really do need this.

 

[TSandM]

Building leg strength with fins will be good, because muscle cramps are pretty common in divers, particularly new ones.

Really, the biggest physical challenges of diving are managing the weight of the gear on land -- walking distances wearing tanks, and negotiating slopes and unstable surfaces for shore entries. Strong legs and a strong core will help protect from back problems from lifting and carrying tanks, too.