BC/Wing Plate vs. Jacket-style BCD

[cool_hardware52]

It's like asking for "Data" on which hammers are most likely to smash your fingers, used properly, with sufficent training, none.


You are absolutely correct, CoolHardware. Improper hammer use can hurt.

However, one is less likely to die by hammer than by BC, relatively speaking. Therefore, I am more interested in trying to find out what, if any, 'data' were available to back up the generalizations (which we ALL make from time to time.)
All ya' had to say was "there are no data, but lots of opinions, and the predominant ones on this thread seem to be in favor of backplates, etc." And, perhaps after a few more questions relative to why folks felt the way they did, I would have gone away just like that, to some other thread in search of other kinds of information. I'm really very easy to please in case anyone is interested (which I daresay isn't most likely the case . Just answer the question, 'yes', 'no', 'i dunno', 'because'....yadda yadda.
I have no agenda other than the acquisition of knowledge, and as I said before, I'll take it anywhere I can find it. Learning is rarely a linear process, requiring zig zags through the quagmire of bias and prejudice. Both of which abound in the dive community, no different than any other "community." I'm still trying to figure out where the beef is, however, since the technology is always changing, and often driven by the quest for new (and cool ..grin) hardware...
Before I spend another bazillion dollars on more toys, I want to make sure that they are toys I can live with.
Literally.

SeaKat,

I can't for the life of me understand what the above statement means.

You asked, as far as I can tell two questions, (pardon my para phrasing)

1. Has the tendency for BP&W to force you forward at the surface been dealt with.

2. Is there "research" available somewhere on this subject.

To answer #1 again, Yes it has been dealt with, repeatedly, by 1000's, I say it's safe to assume many hundreds are dealing with it even as I write this.

To answer #2 again, You are not likely to find any "research" or "data" on a subjective matter such as this, you are likely to find opinions.

I'm also quite sure many, many more people have been killed by hammers than BC's of all types combined.


Tobin

 

[Rick Inman]

I'm also quite sure many, many more people have been killed by hammers than BC's of all types combined.

DIR Hammer

PADI Hammer

 

[ZzzKing]

I don't own a BP/W setup but recently bought a back flotation BC. I just spent the last several days diving it and must confess...I spent the whole time face down and drowned three times. It would have been four but a jellyfish sting brought me to just before the Grim Reaper could grab me by the throat.

Seriously, though, I had no problems whatsoever keeping my face out of the water. It felt no different on the surface than any of the jacket style BC's I had used previously. I'm new to all of this but the fact that I jumped in the water and had no problems should tell you something.

Most of my weight went in back so that may have balanced it better. I could see if you had a lot of weight in front it may tend to pull you down in that direction when your tank is positively bouyant toward the end of the dive. Seems like something that is easily adjusted, though.

 

[DiveGolfSki]

I have no agenda other than the acquisition of knowledge, and as I said before, I'll take it anywhere I can find it. Learning is rarely a linear process, requiring zig zags through the quagmire of bias and prejudice. Both of which abound in the dive community, no different than any other "community." I'm still trying to figure out where the beef is, however, since the technology is always changing, and often driven by the quest for new (and cool ..grin) hardware...
Before I spend another bazillion dollars on more toys, I want to make sure that they are toys I can live with.
Literally.

Hey Seakat, after all these discussions ... what have you learned? Perhaps this review may help you out somewhat:

http://www.scubadiving.com/gear/buoyancy_compensators/backplate_buoyancy_systems/

Scubadiving succinctly summed it up:

Our conclusion, after diving with 10 different recreational systems? While they are not for beginners, backplate systems offer a number of advantages including stability, simplicity and the ability to customize your rig that make them a great alternative for experienced recreational divers who have tried a variety of traditional BCs but haven't found one they like. And their extra-sturdy construction, multiple D-rings, and the ability to add options and upgrade lift capacities make them a natural choice if you plan to expand your horizons into heavy recreational areas like deep diving or wreck diving, or eventually into full-on tech diving.

Incidentally, I went from the use of "dark age" gear (in my case, horse collar BC) to a BP/Wing setup bypassing a jacket BC. I did a lot of research ... most of which are qualitative ... but made my decision after using both and for personal preferences (I won't go into detail as to what they were).

I don't think there is no "right" answer (as you probably may have discovered by now) as to which is "better" (big quotation marks on that one). However, if you want to stay a recreation diver, either option is fine but once you start going down the road of technical diving, the limitation of a jacket will become apparent. Case in point, can you use a jacket BC in a dry suit? Maybe but I'm not sure it makes sense ...

Course that's my opinion....

 

[SeaKat]

lol....now, does anyone have any data on the relative percentages of death by hammer vs death by BC?
(snicker)

 

[SeaKat]

I don't think there is no "right" answer (as you probably may have discovered by now) as to which is "better" (big quotation marks on that one). However, if you want to stay a recreation diver, either option is fine but once you start going down the road of technical diving, the limitation of a jacket will become apparent. Case in point, can you use a jacket BC in a dry suit? Maybe but I'm not sure it makes sense ...

Course that's my opinion....

And that DGS, is the most sensible, objective, rational, non-defensive answer I've gotten to date. What have I learned, you asked? That after wading thru the quagmire of bias, prejudice, innuendo, speculation, criticism and downright guesswork, somebody, somewhere, somehow, just might have an answer that makes reasonable sense. (After, of course, having taken the time to do so.)
THANK YOU for that, and for having taken the time that the rest of us didn't (including me), to research it.

 

[D1V3R]

yah, im a wings diver
you can wear doubles
the keep you level
and its more streamlined

BUT
for ocean diving, wings can be a pain in the *** on the surface
every damn time i do a drift dive i end up on the surface, low on air, and no way to keep my head above water while the boat is cruising around picking up other people
just words of caution

you really dont need wings in your not A) caving or B) wreck diving

 

[Rick Inman]

yah, im a wings diver
you can wear doubles
the keep you level
and its more streamlined

Welcome to Scuba Board! First post and you give us a variation of a haiku.

Very nice.

BTW, I've never had any problem kicking back and resting on the surface with my BP/W.

Floating on my back
My tongue catches snowflakes
Stable wings

 

[vladimir]

I think Haiku requires a 5-7-5 syllable format:

Backplates versus vests,
The endless debate goes on,
Just dive what you like.

 

[Rick Inman]

I think Haiku requires a 5-7-5 syllable format:

Yes, in Japanese. However, the rules are somewhat more flexible in foreign languages. They should also reflect a season (cherry blossoms for spring, etc). When it comes to haiku, I'm not DIR.

Yours was good!