BCD vs BP/W

[Freds@Aquanauts]

I have noticed that from reading the "what size is your BCD" thread, and from looking at lots of peoples profiles, that many of you guys dont wear a BCD, but use the BP/W. What I want to know is why? I DM'd on a boat for three and a half months in Thailand and only ever had one BP/W customer. The only other time I saw one was the Tech Deep course which only happened once while I was there.

Obviously I understand that if you are doing Tech diving then a BP/W is essential, but it seems to me that a lot of people on here are recreational divers and still use BP/W, so my question is what do you guys find more beneficial about diving a BP/W over a BCD in a recreational sense?


Freds

 

[SangP]

Freds@Aquanauts,

You could do a search on BP/W or bp/w benefits and you'll see why.

Basically a bp/w gives you the feeling of freedom, nothing bulky, perfect fit, easier to maintain trim and the setup is rock solid. That and the fact it looks cool LOL!

SangP

 

[RJP]

Well I'm a recreastional diver and here's why I went with BP/Wings:

- ditching weight: I went from 16lbs on my belt to ZERO

- streamlining: much less water to move out of your way; It's discernable

- simplifying: I thought all those BDC pockets and snaps and retractors were cool, but I didn't need/use them

- comfort: though I had a back inflate BCD, the BPW is even more comfortable than that

- flexibility: connect lift bag if needed, connect wreck reel if needed, connect cannister light if needed; switch to doubles if needed, sling a stage/pony bottle if needed, add STA with weight if needed, etc, etc, etc

 

[Halthron]

that many of you guys dont wear a BCD, but use the BP/W.

A BP/w *IS* a BC (bouyancy compensator)

What I want to know is why?

Obviously I understand that if you are doing Tech diving then a BP/W is essential, but it seems to me that a lot of people on here are recreational divers and still use BP/W, so my question is what do you guys find more beneficial about diving a BP/W over a BCD in a recreational sense?

Two reasons for me

1) I never found a jacket BC I liked, the cummerbun always drove me nuts

2) Most BP/w use metal (stainless steel or aluminium) for their rigid component, jacket BCs use plastic. Metal is negative in water, most plastic isn't so requires extra weight to offset the positive effects. Mosting from a jacket BC to a BP/w immediately removed 2 lbs from my weight belt. Then, since I use a 6 lb plate and have 2 pounds in the STAs, I removed 8 more lbs from my belt.

Overall, I'd have to say I feel more comfortable in a BP/w. I never liked the all over feeling of a jacket BC, I much prefer the feeling I get from my wing.

To answer the next question, no. I never feel like the wing is pushing me forward on the surface and I tend to fully inflate it. I simply lean into the wing and it's like being on a small raft.

 

[RICHinNC]

Agree with everything said so far....and it is easy to travel with. Man I hated that cumberbund....never could get it tight enough

 

[Adobo]

I guess you could also ask the question the other way; what is so beneficial about using the so called standard BCD for recreational diving?

For me, I went to a backplate and wing system because I wasn't able to find an answer as to which BCD to use. I saw a lot of "it's a matter of personal preference" answers. I never saw any specifics on "if you like this kind of diving use a back inflate, if you do another kind of diving use a stab jacket." I felt like as a newb, I was supposed to use my "personal preference" to make gear purchase decisions when in fact, I, along with every other newb, don't know the first thing about scuba and couldn't possible have a personal preference other than perhaps to like one color over another.

Then I saw a lot of the posts by the very vocal backplate fans. When asked about why backplates are good, they had very clear and logical answers. Here are some of the ones that I found compelling (paraphrased):
- less excess bouyant materials and therefore require less lead to get the diver neutral.
- backplate weight is located over the most bouyant part of the diver (torso).
- never wears out. At worst, you would need to replace the harness which is very inexpensive.
- will grow with the diver even if the diver pursues different kind of diving such as diving doubles (which I do know.. BTW, diving doubles does not equal diving tech), diving in overhead envrionments such as a wreck or cave, or diving tech. Not only that, your procedures as you move into these other types of diving do not change, you merely add to what you already know/what you already do.
- has a crotch strap that keeps the rig in place when floating on the surface.
- gear selection/gear stowage becomes straight forward. In other words, I did not have to choose between an octo clipped to my hip or an AIR2 type of device. Somebody more experienced than me already figured out that the optimal backup reg would be another second stage on a bungy under my neck. I put my spg on my left D-ring and my computer on my right wrist. I put my backup flashlights on my chest D-rings. So on and so forth. All of these stowage methods were designed and tested by divers much more experienced than me and have been proven under extremely demanding conditions. It takes away the notion of "personal preference" by a newb who knows squat about diving.

 

[Codyjp]

well i just though BP/W were better just on the fact that normal BCD's were for heathens?

ok, couldn't help myself. somebody had to say it with a post like this.

 

[Walter]

There are some myths here.

BP/W is no more or less streamlined a design than any other BC. Other factors that are on some BP/W and most vests, but are not necessary on either (and never used to be on either) such as padding and cummerbunds.

All vests do not have padding and cummerbunds. Some BP/Ws do.

The BP/W has an advantage in being able to switch the BP to adjust buoyancy SS, AL or plastic.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

well i just though BP/W were better just on the fact that normal BCD's were for heathens?

ok, couldn't help myself. somebody had to say it with a post like this.

Why? Seems like a legitimate question to me.

Obviously we're all going to have perceptions on topics like this one based on where we normally dive. In some parts of the world, BP/wings are pretty common. In other parts, you hardly ever see one.

What works for you, works for you ... that shouldn't preclude asking why something different works for someone else.

To answer the OP's question ... in my area lots of people wear BP/wings. They do so for a number of reasons. Some folks are either tech divers or aspire to become tech divers. Some just like the fact that a BP/W makes it possible to take weight off of your weight belt and redistribute it to a location that makes it easier to achieve better trim. Some like the streamline factor. Some like the "cool" factor. Some got certified through shops that teach in BP/W and that's all they know.

There are a number of other reasons why someone would wear one ... just as there are with traditional back inflate or jacket-style BCD's.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[Codyjp]

Why? Seems like a legitimate question to me.

Obviously we're all going to have perceptions on topics like this one based on where we normally dive. In some parts of the world, BP/wings are pretty common. In other parts, you hardly ever see one.

What works for you, works for you ... that shouldn't preclude asking why something different works for someone else.

To answer the OP's question ... in my area lots of people wear BP/wings. They do so for a number of reasons. Some folks are either tech divers or aspire to become tech divers. Some just like the fact that a BP/W makes it possible to take weight off of your weight belt and redistribute it to a location that makes it easier to achieve better trim. Some like the streamline factor. Some like the "cool" factor. Some got certified through shops that teach in BP/W and that's all they know.

There are a number of other reasons why someone would wear one ... just as there are with traditional back inflate or jacket-style BCD's.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

That was exactly my point. there are so many positive reasons for using each. I though i would toss in some humor
sometimes i wish i bought a 'regular' BCD too.

It all comes down to personal preference, but like somebody said, when you are new to the whole idea what are YOUR preferences?

I was strongly infulenced by my instructor/DM that tought the class so that is what i bought. so far, i am super happy.

It does seem to be a regional thing. i am curious what will happen if i dive my 6# plate with no wetsuit in warm water...