Back Inflation BC is SUICIDE!!!

[ScottZeagle]

The bigger problem is that this socalled "instructor" is teaching people who may not know that he is full of crap...

Most new divers (especially if they haven't found internet forums) will take whatever their instructor tells them as gospel.

Sad, but true...

Scott

 

[pt40fathoms]

The best advice so far has been to seek another instructor.

I dive both BP&W and Jacket style BCD. I like them both for what they are designed for and have no problems with either. When I see a post coming from a person that claims XXX style BC is BAD, and only those who are inexperienced or just plain bad diver use XXX style of BC. I file that persons credentials under the "suspect" column. One can have a preference in a style of equipment or manufacturer, and voicing that preference complete with the reasons for that choice is part of why are on this board. But understand that all it is, is a personal preference, nothing more. This instructor is just plain wrong in both the scenarios presented, and the conclusions made on rear inflation BCD's. You should file his or her credentials under the heading "suspect", and move on.

 

[RonFrank]

One thing I look for in educators is an open mind.

How else do they learn, and try new things.

I dive a Back Inflact BC. I have tried a jacket. I like the Back better as do many.

As for his conclusions, what a moron, and they ignore reality.

Find a new instructor whom has a better attitude.

Ron

Thats what my new instructor says!

I love back inflation BC but my instructor advises against them very strongly. His argument is as follows:

SCENARIO A - If a diver looses consciousness underwater, his dive buddy inflates his BC he will rise up to the surface. If he has not dropped the reg from his mouth there is chance of him surviving - provided he is wearing a jacket style as that would keep his head way up the water once on surface. If he is wearing a back inflation nstead then the BC will keep his head tilted below the surface raging surface water will beat the reg away from his mouth and Guaranteed drowning!

SCENARIO B - If you get drifted away into the ocean (like the characters in the movie OPEN WATER) and you are stranded in the ocean for hours you would not want to be wearing a back inflation BC. Unless you deliberately float on your back the back inflation BC will kill you just like in scenario A!

Who agrees / disagrees with this logic and why?

 

[Damselfish]

I use a back inflate BC - Mares Synchro Tec - which I love and I bought very cheap because the "instructor" that owned it got tired of finning to keep a vertical position while giving surface instruction to students at the surface. I just added two strips of velcro at the bottom of the back plate to secure trim weights and I stay almost vertical with no effort. When I next saw him he asked me what I thought of it and I told him about the solution. He really kicked himself when he saw how simple it was.

I also carried out a test. If I pull out the integrated weights from the front and clip them to the D-rings at the bottom of the back plate, I stay 45degrees backwards, stable and would even be able to sleep in that position with no risk of my head going into the water, so rigged like this it would be much better than a conventional BC for long term survival.

I bought a WI back inflate about 6 months ago and do sometimes find that I have to do more finning than I'd like (which would be none) to maintain the position I want at the surface. Yes, even not fully inflated and/or leaning back. I'd put weight in the back trim pockets and that would probably take care of it, but seeing as I tend to use like 4 pounds it's hard to do that and have anything left ditchable. I suppose I could go back to a weight belt and put the weight towards the back but I like the WI, and I find putting the weights in back on a belt is uncomfortable.

 

[RonFrank]

I had a great instructor (MI) in a few agencies, but toward the end of the second OW class session he went into the speal saying that purchasing Dive Gear online (even from an authorized dealer) was a deadly decision.

The students were nodding like their head were on springs, and a couple were taking notes. He went into equipment recommendations, and surprise, EVERY brand recommendation was limited to what the LDS carried.

Personally I believe that purchasing regs or BCDS online from someplace like ScubaToys is fine, and for things like a mask, why pay $75 at the LDS when one can get the same thing for $25 from LP.

I'm sure that the LDS requires the speal, but IMO it's taking advantage of new divers to present such information as *fact* in a classroom setting.

This situation is even worst as this guy IMO is providing BAD equipment information, not just taking advantage.

Ron

The bigger problem is that this socalled "instructor" is teaching people who may not know that he is full of crap...

Most new divers (especially if they haven't found internet forums) will take whatever their instructor tells them as gospel.

Sad, but true...

Scott

 

[lamont]

It's so nice to see that you were paying attention ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

not only attention, but retention as well!

 

[divad]

I saw the title of the thread and came in ready to rip somebody....... and I have to admit I was a little disappointed that the person who needs the ripping isn't on the board

Who "needs" a ripping?

 

[miketsp]

I bought a WI back inflate about 6 months ago and do sometimes find that I have to do more finning than I'd like (which would be none) to maintain the position I want at the surface. Yes, even not fully inflated and/or leaning back. I'd put weight in the back trim pockets and that would probably take care of it, but seeing as I tend to use like 4 pounds it's hard to do that and have anything left ditchable. I suppose I could go back to a weight belt and put the weight towards the back but I like the WI, and I find putting the weights in back on a belt is uncomfortable.

The weights I put at the bottom of the back plate are still easily ditchable in an emergency. They are on velcro loops very easily reachable.

 

[Dive-aholic]

Sounds like he has issues...

 

[Kennedydive]

Ask your instructor how an over-inflated jacket style has at times makes a stressed diver who is on the surface feel like they can't get enough air in their lungs causing them to deflate the BC and submerge without a reg in their mouth.
Anyone can create scenarios.
I use a back inflate and agree with the previous comments. What are the chances of these divers (some who have been well beyond the 130 rec limit) with 1000's of dives being wrong?
Jason