Back plate BCD vs. jacket style back inflation.

[Alzer]

Hey folks,

I'm taking my OW class next month, so i'm spending some due diligence time researching gear. I have spoken with a few LDS's and I am in need of your opinions. I'm thinking that If I were to purchase a Tech bcd, I would be able to modify it and streamline in so that if I decide that wreck diving or Cavern diving would be simple compared to say a jacket style. I'm trying to maximize my purchases so that it would be expandable for the future. I won't be buying until after my certs and after I have rented different types of gear and used it diving.
What are your thoughts and opinions?

 

[Keith.M]

I won't be buying until after my certs and after I have rented different types of gear and used it diving.
What are your thoughts and opinions?

I think you are on the right track!

 

[FM1520]

True, a BP/W is scalable and can be configured for really anything. However, divers do wreck and cavern diving in a variety of gear and there are plenty of recreational divers using a BP/W system. It may be helpful to look at it as DIR or non-DIR. Either way renting for a while is always a good idea - there are so many options out there it would be tough to get it right at this point. I recommend renting and talking to fellow divers about their gear. FWIW I use a BP/W for recreational diving.

 

[TSandM]

Just a comment on the title of the post -- The BCs in common use today come in two basic flavors: jacket, and back-inflate. The "jacket" BC has an air bladder that wraps all the way around the diver, so that when it is inflated on the surface, it's little like sitting in a float ring. Back inflate BCs have all of the air bladder behind the diver. A backplate and wing is a form of back-inflate BC, and is different from others by the fact that it is modular, so all components -- plate, harness and air bladder -- can be chosen or replaced separately.

If you have a strong thought that you might go on to overhead diving, whether wreck penetration or cave, starting with gear that you can use for that purpose would make sense. In addition, the resale value on backplate setups is higher than most other BCs, because there are more people going from standard gear to backplates than folks looking to buy used traditional gear.

 

[Alzer]

A membership to the Dive Centers dive team came with my O/W class. I'm sure that I will be able to get lots of time with fellow divers to discuss gear. I appreciate your input. I like the idea that I can adapt gear and keep costs down. I am super excited, but I am forcing myself to think through the gear in a very smart way.

 

[rongoodman]

There's nothing particularly "tech" about a BP/W, and I can't think of any downsides to one. I'd avoid the over engineered comfort/deluxe harness though.

 

[Alzer]

Thanks for the differentiation between styles. It seems that the back inflation, from what I understand of that system is that it is easier to trim than the jacket styles.

 

[BVickery]

Thanks for the differentiation between styles. It seems that the back inflation, from what I understand of that system is that it is easier to trim than the jacket styles.

I personally find this to be true for myself.

 

[rhwestfall]

P.S. - if by chance you hear the claim that a back inflate is bad because they push you face forward when on the surface, it is only a "half truth".... Yes, they will, but it is because: (1) weighting is wrong [too much on the front], (2) a tendency to overinflate the bladder, thinking it will sit you higher like it does in a jacket.

In a BP/W or Back Inflate, it is best to pretend to be an otter, and go belly up on the surface. Its quite relaxing, and effective.

 

[ams511]

In a BP/W or Back Inflate, it is best to pretend to be an otter, and go belly up on the surface. Its quite relaxing, and effective.

Sharks like otters and seals too.