Random Dude
Contributor
Just recently changed over to a BP/W, so still remember what a jacket BCD feels like.
One thing I absolutely love about the BP/W's is that one can easily arrange and set where you prefer the D rings to be.
Tried quite some rental jacket BCDs before, none seem to quite nail down the D ring placement, usually resulting in me dangling items, or clipping something off to a d ring that I can barely locate and operate with ease.
Another big change would be that the mobility of your arms will increase greatly, and you would definitely feel less bulky compared to when using a jacket BCD.
The crotch strap also makes the whole rig more secure, making incidents of the BCD "riding up" almost nonexistent.
Trim in the water feels more natural as well.
My suggestion is just make sure that you try out one first before you switch over, as certain things might make you less comfortable in a BP/W than in a jacket BCD.
For example, the only dump valve that is located on the inside of the wing did require some getting use to when accustomed to using multiple dump valves located on the "outside" of the bcd as is usual with jacket BCDs.
Donning and doffing of the rig would be loads different compared to the jacket BCD, which might be a source of discomfort for you. Personally though, didn't find that to be an issue, just that it took some time to get accustomed to a different method.
The position of in water might be a thing you would get uncomfortable about as well.
I have heard of people complaining that BP/Ws push you face down into the water on the surface, but didn't have that issue with mine (don't inflate fully or; lean back as if laying down on a raft).
Just noticed that the BP/W sits lower in the water compared to when using a jacket BCD.
Also, you might need to consider that the BP/W might be more configured for a longhose setup than a standard setup.
I'm still figuring out where to put my octo as there is a lack of octo pockets that would be uncommon in jacket BCDs. Can't come out with a satisfactory solution yet as of now (maybe I'm reading too much DIR articles, resulting in me thinking that the longhose configuration is the only way to not interrupt the "perfect balance" of the BP/W)
One thing I absolutely love about the BP/W's is that one can easily arrange and set where you prefer the D rings to be.
Tried quite some rental jacket BCDs before, none seem to quite nail down the D ring placement, usually resulting in me dangling items, or clipping something off to a d ring that I can barely locate and operate with ease.
Another big change would be that the mobility of your arms will increase greatly, and you would definitely feel less bulky compared to when using a jacket BCD.
The crotch strap also makes the whole rig more secure, making incidents of the BCD "riding up" almost nonexistent.
Trim in the water feels more natural as well.
My suggestion is just make sure that you try out one first before you switch over, as certain things might make you less comfortable in a BP/W than in a jacket BCD.
For example, the only dump valve that is located on the inside of the wing did require some getting use to when accustomed to using multiple dump valves located on the "outside" of the bcd as is usual with jacket BCDs.
Donning and doffing of the rig would be loads different compared to the jacket BCD, which might be a source of discomfort for you. Personally though, didn't find that to be an issue, just that it took some time to get accustomed to a different method.
The position of in water might be a thing you would get uncomfortable about as well.
I have heard of people complaining that BP/Ws push you face down into the water on the surface, but didn't have that issue with mine (don't inflate fully or; lean back as if laying down on a raft).
Just noticed that the BP/W sits lower in the water compared to when using a jacket BCD.
Also, you might need to consider that the BP/W might be more configured for a longhose setup than a standard setup.
I'm still figuring out where to put my octo as there is a lack of octo pockets that would be uncommon in jacket BCDs. Can't come out with a satisfactory solution yet as of now (maybe I'm reading too much DIR articles, resulting in me thinking that the longhose configuration is the only way to not interrupt the "perfect balance" of the BP/W)
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