Banded/Unbanded Debate

[Zero]

Greetings,

I’ve read through most, if not all of the threads dealing with the banded/unbanded wing debate. Most of the points presented for a specific configuration were based upon theory or some “hard-core” doctrine without any real data to support their claim. Can any provide some solid evidence for using or not using either of these wing configurations?

 

[Sideband]

Do you mean "bungied" instead of "banded"? As in 'Bungied wing of death'? I have one of each.

Joe

 

[Captain CaveMan]

im going to get one bungied when i run my doubles-- in about a year or so when i save up the green paper

 

[Tamas]

I run bungeed.....and guess what, I am still alive!!! The whole thing is just a conspiracy man.......it' all controlled by aliens and a funny coloured, sugary liquid! :devil_2:

 

[PerroneFord]

Buy what makes you happy. Personally, I don't want banded wings, but they keep sellin' em and people keep divin' em! Its all good.

 

[BigJetDriver]

Folks,

It is always important to use proper terminology, especially when talking about life support equipment.

The proper name is BWOD, which stands for Bungied Wings Of Death. The idea being, of course, that if you use them: "YOU WILL DIE!"

This has been foisted upon us all by a certain segment of the diving community, but it is nevertheless important to use the correct terminology. Most of us do not understand "banded", or "un-banded". If, however, you refer to BWOD, or TACO, we know immediately what you are saying!

 

[pants!]

I've read most of those posts, too, and haven't really seen any that say bungeed are bad because they're not allowed by what you call a "doctrine."

Most of the posts saying they're bad center around their opinions, such as increased drag, decreased ability to deal with bladder failure, increased entanglement hazard (a hazard located in a place that's virtually impossible to reach), decreased ability to orally inflate, etc.

 

[BigJetDriver]

I've read most of those posts, too, and haven't really seen any that say bungeed are bad because they're not allowed by what you call a "doctrine."

Most of the posts saying they're bad center around their opinions, such as increased drag, decreased ability to deal with bladder failure, increased entanglement hazard (a hazard located in a place that's virtually impossible to reach), decreased ability to orally inflate, etc.

None of which has ever been proven, my friend, just alleged.

 

[Doc Intrepid]

Can any provide some solid evidence for using or not using either of these wing configurations?

How do you define "solid evidence"? Empirical studies with control groups and reliable numbers? Anecdotes from the general populace? Anecdotes from the guy who recovered the bodies?

The answer to your question is "probably not".

Your best bet, if you want a comparison thats meaningful to you, would be to borrow a wing of each type and contrast them under controlled conditions - meaning wear first one then the other in a pool some afternoon. Be sure to try them out under some of the debate conditions - e.g. orally inflate both on the surface, try to completely dump both wings while submerged, and alter your attitude/trim with a couple 80 stages hanging off your left side to see whether gas transfer left to right works as smoothly either way. (A few of the debates being that the bungies make oral inflation more difficult as they push in while you're trying to blow the wing out; a wing puncture or failure underwater is somewhat more problematic because the bungies tend to want to collapse/deflate the wing whereas without them the wing may continue to retain more gas despite the leak; intentionally trying to dump gas can be more problematic because the bungies bunch up the fabric of the wing resulting in gas retention where the fabric bunches up; and gas flow from left to right, top to bottom, etc. as the diver's attitude/trim in the water column changes may be impacted.)

"Bungies cause more drag" is likely only relevant to divers on scooters, as I doubt that most divers swim fast or hard enough to measure any significant increase in drag while NOT on scooters. It may or may not be quantifiable.

See which wing works best for you, in your own opinion.

Probably the most practical application of "solid evidence" you're going to find. Divers have died wearing both styles of wings. Proof positive that it was the wing that contributed to their deaths is going to be difficult to establish. It depends on who you believe.

Don't believe most of what you read, here or otherwise (especially from me). A great deal of this stuff is personal preference. Understand the debates and check it out for yourself.

Dive safe,

Doc

 

[Don Burke]

I do not see an upside to the bungees, so I do not use them.