Backplate and wing advice requested

[steve thatcher]

Hi All,
I'm looking for some advice. If I were to purchase a SS Backplate and 55lb Explorer wings would it be OK to run a single 10l steel (85) with a single tank adaptor, or should I buy a seperate single tank wing to run the single tank with. I mainly do single tank rec. dives but am going to do a cave course and do some cave diving. The Explorer wings would save me the money of purchasing another wing.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks Steve

 

[The Chairman]

Welcome to the best board, SCUBA or otherwise, on the Net. I hope you meet as many fine people and learn as much as I have here.

First, your post will probably cause some controversy. It seems that most anyone who has an opinion about tanks has a STRONG opinion about them. Ignore those who are the most bombastic!

I dive with the OMS 100# lift wings, mainly because thats what came with my OMS IQ BC. I got it second hand from a friend who wanted to dive the DIR rig, and its the only second hand thing I dive with. I love them. However, I do most of my diving with single HP120 cFt PSTs. Consequently, a buddy and I devised an aluminum plate to keep the wing flat against the back plate. It works great and most have never realised that it was "home made".

As for the ultimate answer to your question, make sure you check with the person(s) teaching your cave class. Many of them have those "strong" opinions I was talking about.

:tease:

 

[100days-a-year]

Steve,...Welcome.Sure it's more lift than you'll probly need for a single,but it won't be any problem.If you dive in cooler water you can easily have a 15# + swing in your bouyancy due to wetsuit compression and air expenditure.I start using a bigger bladder when I start wearing a 3.2mm suit or thicker.I normally dive an 18#.

 

[detroit diver]

Steve,

Other than causing a little more drag than needed when using a single, I don't see much problem. Being able to fully vent when the wing is not very full is the only issue that I might envision-ie. air getting trapped in the flap/folds.

Good choice of equipment, by the way.

Oh yeh, welcome to the board! Great bunch of people here.

 

[tombiowami]

I would suggest posting the question over at the Extreme Exposure store/website, they could probably give you some info along those lines. I think Lost Yooper on this board has dove the config you are talking about, you can look him up and email him. If you do go with the single, I had the 27 lb. and dive with a 5mm suit and usually an alum80. On one dive I used a steel98 and accidently kept my usual weighting on. The 27 lb. wing would not keep me up on the surface. I am trading it in to get the 36lb. single wing. While of course it is my responsibility to have the right weighting, if I go any more gear or whatnot, I would like the extra bouyancy.


Tommy

 

[Lost Yooper]

I use my 55lb wing for everything. It's not optimal, but it works just fine.

Mike

 

[Fox-Cousteau]

I am looking at purchasing a used oms with 100# lift for my son. He is 21 but is a novice diver would you recommend this piece of equipment for him?

 

[jeraldjcook]

I am looking at purchasing a used oms with 100# lift for my son. He is 21 but is a novice diver would you recommend this piece of equipment for him?

FYI, this post is 6 years old. What is your son's gear configuration? Suit, tanks, weights, stages, etc.