Backplate and Wing

[windapp]

I am currently getting into a backplate and wing set up, and I have a friend who is doing the same. She said that she would have to retain her BCD because PADI didn't allow training in tech gear.

Other than the fact that backplate and wing is used for technical diving, I really don't understand what differentiates it from a back-inflate BCD such that the BP&W is tech, and the pre-fabricated back-inflate BCD is not.

As far as I can see, the BP&W is really just a DIY ultra-configurable BCD.

Any thoughts?

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Someone is feeding her a line of crap. A BPW IS NOT TECH GEAR. It's a BC. Plain and simple. More likely she is training with a shop or instructor that has no experience with them, does not sell them, and has no idea how to set one up.

PADI has absolutely no prohibitions against any diver training in a BPW in any class. As many issues as I have with what they do this is not one of them. Numerous posters on here have confirmed that they have spoken with the training dept at PADI HQ and none have gotten any indication that a BPW is a prohibited piece of gear. Tell her to find another shop/instructor. The one she has is full of crap if they are telling her this. And I would guess one is. Otherwise why would she think that.

And she should direct the shop to this thread and all the others dealing with this subject.

 

[rongoodman]

I believe your friend is mistaken, although she might just be passing on misinformation from a shop or instructor. I've taken several PADI courses in BP/W plus long hose and bungeed secondary.

 

[windapp]

To be clear, my friend is talking about being the instructor, not taking a course.

 

[TSandM]

There is no prohibition against instructing in a BP/W and long hose. My husband and I both do it. He has talked to PADI HQ about this idea, and they laugh . . .

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Unless she isn;t comfortable in the gear and can't demo and explain the differences and how to deal with them. Then she should not be in one. But then if she can't do that she should not be instructing.

 

[fisheater]

My B.S. meter is pegged.

Not only have I taken PADI courses in my BP/W, but my PADI OWSI taught me while wearing his BP/W.

 

[icechip]

I just did my PADI AOW dives in a BP/W and there was no issue.

 

[boulderjohn]

I have also taught PADI courses in BP/W, and I am equally aware that there is no such rule whatsoever.

There may, however, be an individual shop rule in effect. In that case, reconsider the shop.

 

[claymore]

The issue may not be a PADI issue but a shop issue. Some shops want the instructors to wear the type of gear that they rent and sell, especially in the confined water classes, to their students and recreational divers. Their are several of reasons for this.

1 The shop wants the instructor and DM in the same or similar gear so that it appears, and for the most part has every thing in the same place, the same as the gear the the students are using. It is the, If my instructor is wearing it it is what I should get., inference by the shop.

2 the shop wants Instructors and DM's using the brands of gear that they sell.

I am just finishing up my DM class and the shop didn't want me doing my confined water internships in my BPW and long hose. The owner said I could use my Express Tech, he is a Zeagle dealer and I bought it through him, and a standard reg set up.