Rah rah for stabjackets

[Diving Dubai]

Don't get me wrong, I like my wings (BP/W and SM etc)

But I'm more than happy to chuck on my Stab jacket. Especially when in a hurry dealing with guests, no faffing trying to get the webbing through the belt buckle, and find the errant crotch strap which answering numerous questions (just covered in a brief)

Arms through the hole, quick clip of waist belt buckle and off we go. And great at surface too

I can dive it just as accurately as a wing with buoyancy - especially as most of the time I'm carrying additional weights

Had a student with 9 dives in a crappy rental jacket (all that would fit her) yet she managed to hold trim and buoyancy on blue water stops with just a vis reference (no holding onto anchor rope nonsense - even with a bit of current)

Damn I've even lashed (and I do mean lashed) a couple of Al 80's on it to make a deco dive planned at the last minute. Not pretty, but it was either that or sit on the bench (the looks from some new "tech" divers was priceless)

Sure BP/w are great, but they're no magic miracle solution to bad habits - it's only gear after all.

 

[ajtoady]

Sure BP/w are great, but they're no magic miracle solution to bad habits - it's only gear after all.

THIS ^ !!! I love it! I use all kinds on a regular basis and he's right, gear is gear!!

 

[Altamira]

This thread has been a refreshing read. I am always amused when someone on SB asks for guidance on bcds and fins. The spring loaded position by many on SB is to push bp/w and paddle fins, not giving much credence to the fact that those gear types may not be the best option for all divers, or acknowledging that a good diver can use any gear with great success. Dive gear is like golf clubs, though much more expensive. A good golfer can play excellent golf with any set of clubs, but a hacker like me will still play crappy golf no matter how expensive the clubs or finely tuned to my swing and body.