First BPW - Basic Questions

[Mike126]

I think I made my decision to go with a BPW versus a back inflate (Zeagle Brigade). After returning to diving after about 4 years off, I did a quick pool dive this weekend to reaquant myself. I dove with some rental gear, a rear inflate Aqualung BCD. I was already on the fence about the BPW as I think I am trending towards the less is more approach.

Some basic BPW questions....

I like the DSS setup (30# wing, long plate, etc) but was a little concerned about the comfort of the HOG harness. How are they when diving? Do they bind around the rib cage or under arms?

How do you normally tie down the inflator hose? I like having mine close by with a velcro strap.

I think the DSS comes with a 2 inch crotch strap. Again how comforatable are they?

Since I will use this locally for cold water diving (wearing 22#s) and travelling to warmer water (wearing 10-12#s) how travel friendly is a SS plate?

Thanks for helping a possible convert!

 

[CT Sean]

I can't speak to a DSS specifically but most of the my opinions still apply (for the most part 2 inch webbing is 2 inch webbing)

I think I made my decision to go with a BPW versus a back inflate (Zeagle Brigade). After returning to diving after about 4 years off, I did a quick pool dive this weekend to reaquant myself. I dove with some rental gear, a rear inflate Aqualung BCD. I was already on the fence about the BPW as I think I am trending towards the less is more approach.

Some basic BPW questions....

I like the DSS setup (30# wing, long plate, etc) but was a little concerned about the comfort of the HOG harness. How are they when diving? Do they bind around the rib cage or under arms?

Very comfortable, I barely notice I'm wearing mine even in a 3mm - I'd wager I'd be equally comfy in just a rash guard

How do you normally tie down the inflator hose? I like having mine close by with a velcro strap.

I used a tied up loop of bungee fed through the left shoulder D-ring. the loop is about 3ish inches in diameter but of course stretches as necessary.

I think the DSS comes with a 2 inch crotch strap. Again how comforatable are they?

I use a 1.5" crotch strap and again barely notice it diving. It is noticeable floating on the surface but it's not uncomfortable.

Since I will use this locally for cold water diving (wearing 22#s) and travelling to warmer water (wearing 10-12#s) how travel friendly is a SS plate?

I travel with my AL plate but your only talking a 3-4 pound difference. Pack one less pair of cargo shorts or leave your mandals (or sneakers) at home and you're good.

Thanks for helping a possible convert!

you're welcome

 

[Jim Lapenta]

I like the DSS setup (30# wing, long plate, etc) but was a little concerned about the comfort of the HOG harness. How are they when diving? Do they bind around the rib cage or under arms?

No, not at all once the harness is properly adjusted. Feels like you have nothing on around your ribs or chest.

How do you normally tie down the inflator hose? I like having mine close by with a velcro strap. Bungee D ring on the left shoulder strap. You just run your LP hose through it and it allows you to raise the inflator and then it just snaps back down into place.

I think the DSS comes with a 2 inch crotch strap. Again how comforatable are they? Don't even notice it's there until you realize that the rig is not coming up around your ears at the surface like many jackets do.

Since I will use this locally for cold water diving (wearing 22#s) and travelling to warmer water (wearing 10-12#s) how travel friendly is a SS plate? Very. Just leave unnecessary crap at home. You can buy extra soap, shampoo, etc.. Or use the hotel's. And how much clothing do you really need on a dive trip? Not much.

Thanks for helping a possible convert!

Check out my Blog post on this subject and if you want the full thing with pictures shoot me your email. It's too big to post here.

 

[chrpai]

Just took my 27lb wing with 6lb SS plate and Hog harness on a week in the Bahamas on BlackBeard's. See my profile pic for more detail.

Wore it with t-shirt and crotch strap. No problems at all. LP inflator is tucked into bungee on my left chest d-ring. I used to need 14lbs weight. My fins are a couple pounds negative, same for my dive lights. With SS plate I didn't need a weight belt at all.

 

[fisheater]

You've made the right decision.

My Brigade stays at home, while my DSS plate goes everywhere.

 

[TSandM]

I think you'll find the harness is very comfortable -- I like a simple harness MUCH better than anything else I have ever dived in.

The DSS setup comes with a loop of inner tube that you put on the harness above the left chest d-ring. You run the LP inflator hose under that inner tubing, and it holds the inflator assembly quite close to the harness webbing, but still leaves it easy to lift.

As long as you have any sort of exposure protection on, you won't even notice the crotch strap. Since I have never been in scuba gear in a bathing suit, I can't speak for what that's like.

We have weighed our backplate and wing setups and my husband's back inflate BC, and they're within a pound of one another. You'd be surprised how much all that fabric and padding weighs.

 

[fisheater]

. <snip>

We have weighed our backplate and wing setups and my husband's back inflate BC, and they're within a pound of one another. You'd be surprised how much all that fabric and padding weighs.

And you'll be surprised how much lead that fabric and passing needs to sink.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[ams511]

I think you should talk to Tobin about the setup. If you are diving in Virginia in the summertime you would be most likely using a 7 mil wetsuit. My opinion is a 40 lb wing is probably better for you. You said you want a long plate so I assume you are tall. The 40 lb wing is a bit longer but being you are tall you probably won't notice the difference underwater. The wing is narrow so it will also work well for diving in the tropics.

As others have mentioned a BP/W is as comfortable (maybe more so) than a conventional BC. It looks uncomfortable but it isn't and wearing less weight on a belt is great.

 

[Colliam7]

My comments will probably echo most of the feedback you have received, which may suggest consistency of response (or, possibly, some sort of conspiracy).

I like the DSS setup (30# wing, long plate, etc) but was a little concerned about the comfort of the HOG harness. How are they when diving? Do they bind around the rib cage or under arms?

No. A simple, one piece hogarthian harness is quite comfortable. You hardly notice it.

How do you normally tie down the inflator hose? I like having mine close by with a velcro strap.

A tied loop of thin bungee run through the left chest D-ring works for me. I loop the bungee around the mouthpiece of the inflator. It stays in place but is easily removed if necessary.

I think the DSS comes with a 2 inch crotch strap. Again how comforatable are they?

Crotch straps are quite comfortable, and VERY functional. I personally prefer 1 inch crotch straps, but I have a 2 inch strap on several BPs and I hardly notice them.

how travel friendly is a SS plate?

Very. My wife and I just got back from Bonaire where we both used SS BPs. Easy to pack / travel with. Because I was teaching during the trip, I took a bit of gear and several different rigs, so weight could have been an issue. I have an Ogio backpack with a zippered compartment for a laptop. I actually put one of the plates (with harness, d-rings, buckle) in that compartment (I use a small tablet now) and carried it on, to save weight in the checked bag. With a full 1mm suit and a SS BP, with an AL80, I used only 2 pounds of weight, and probably didn't need that.

Thanks for helping a possible convert!

Make the change, you won't regret it.

 

[danaero]

I have a DSS setup and the crotch strap is made of a softer material than the rest of the harness and is quite comfortable.

I have a 30 lb. wing for sale that was used once if you are interested.