Are BP/W'S used in Caribbean diving? Never seen one.

[sasscuba]

Just curious and not trying to start a debate on BC vs. BP/W's but I am curious if anyone uses them in the caribbean? I have been diving for 25 years only in the caribbean and have never been on a boat or seen anyone on a shore dive with one? I started with a horse collar and went to a jacket style to my back inflate. Read about them and seen them in magazines but really never came across anyone who uses one until I signed on here. Although I do like the concept for me they just are not right for me. Are they mainly used in cold water?

Thanks.

 

[teknitroxdiver]

I use mine in the Caribbean and Bahamas. They're probably more prevelant along the east coast wreck area, simply because there's a bunch of tech divers there. Due to the versatility of a BP/W, it is suitable for any kind of diving.

 

[djanni]

Just curious and not trying to start a debate on BC vs. BP/W's but I am curious if anyone uses them in the caribbean? I have been diving for 25 years only in the caribbean and have never been on a boat or seen anyone on a shore dive with one? I started with a horse collar and went to a jacket style to my back inflate. Read about them and seen them in magazines but really never came across anyone who uses one until I signed on here. Although I do like the concept for me they just are not right for me. Are they mainly used in cold water?

Thanks.

About 3 or 4 years ago I saw a guy carrying one to a boat in Aruba. It was the first one I had ever seen. Last year some guy took one on a Nekton Belize trip. Back in September I took one to Cozumel because after joining this board I had to see what the rage was all about.

So... yeah they're seen in the Carib from time-to-time. I don't dive in cold water so I couldn't answer that question. We get to the Florida Coast 2/3 times a year and we saw a couple in Panama City spear fishing who were using BP's and then just a few weeks ago we dove the Big "O" with a couple of Tech divers from Mississippi who were, of course, using BP's.

That's about it.

 

[ronrosa]

I've seen them on a Turks & Caicos liveaboard and down in Cozumel.

 

[RiverRat]

Sure they're used. You just don't see that many because the mainstream LDS' push jacket style BC's right from OW class. There is this notion in the "recreational" industry that they are overkill, will drown you at the surface, yada yada yada. Personally, I think my Aluminum plate and small wing is a fantastic rig for Caribbean diving. I could care less about what others think. I dive the gear that works for me. The rest of the overweighted diving world can keep their poodle jackets.

 

[Vie]

Just curious and not trying to start a debate on BC vs. BP/W's but I am curious if anyone uses them in the caribbean?

http://www.oceanfrontiers.com/files/CIDin/PGNin-GUE_fundamentals

http://www.caribbeangastraining.com/english/training.htm

 

[RiverRat]

http://www.oceanfrontiers.com/files/CIDin/PGNin-GUE_fundamentals

Thanks for the link. This looks like a decent operation. If I ever go back to Cayman I'll look these guys up. I've never dove the east end and hear the diving is nice there.

 

[Vie]

Thanks for the link. This looks like a decent operation. If I ever go back to Cayman I'll look these guys up. I've never dove the east end and hear the diving is nice there.

No probs. I've edited my original post to add another link.

 

[divad]

There is this notion in the "recreational" industry that they are overkill, ....

They're definately underkill.

 

[RiverRat]

They're definately underkill.

I seriously doubt that. A BC is a BC, plain and simple. They each have their pluses and minuses.