BCD vs BP/W

[Robert Phillips]

one

+1, but it doubles as an inflator mechanism.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Inherent buoyancy in the 3-5 lb range is probably on the high side. Often the inherent buoyancy of BC's is less than 2 lbs; i.e., a Zeagle Stiletto has less than 2 lbs and I would guess that a Zeagle Scout would have a bit less than that.

I know DSS advocates a minimalist approach, which is terrific, and as Tobin mentioned, helps one avoid that floaty effect.

However, that sure doesn't apply to other bp/w mfgr's who offer padding for their plates, weight integration pouches, add-on pockets, cummerbunds, padding in the shoulders of the harnesses and etc. The result is inherent buoyancy not unlike a that of most BC’s. Therefore while weight may be redistributed with a bp/w, the total weight one needs is probably unchanged.

Weight added to the rear weight pockets some BC’s, a Stiletto for example, can have the same effect as a plate in terms of redistribution of weight.

There are many BC's that are equally worthy, unrestricted, competent, reliable, stable and streamlined.

Where the Value is: If you're going to strap on twin tanks and side mount a nitrogen bottle and an oxygen bottle you'll be better off with a plate back there. Arguably, it's essential.

Where the Value is: If you're headed toward warm water and diving in a thin wetsuit or no wet suit and using a single tank there's nothing more luxurious than diving in a well made and good fitting BC. That's life at its best.

Having just gone back and read a couple of other posts I have to comment on failure points. To say a bp/w has fewer failure points is similar to saying a bird has fewer failure points than a modern day jet airplane. True but raised the question... and your point is?

A couple of questions ...

1. What BP/W manufacturer uses a cummerbund?
2. What use does a diver have for sidemounting a nitrogen bottle?

Inquiring minds and all that ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[PerroneFord]

A couple of questions ...

1. What BP/W manufacturer uses a cummerbund?
2. What use does a diver have for sidemounting a nitrogen bottle?

Inquiring minds and all that ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

1. Dive Rite
2. Diluent

 

[radinator]

This brings up a question I've had based on comments here.

People always seem to say something like "I got a steel backplate and/or a steel tank and now I only dive with 2 pounds of lead" or whatever.

They say it like the weight is actually gone -- like they're literally diving with less weight. But really its just the same weight in a different form.

I mean is it really surprising that if you strap a big steel plate to your back you can take a corresponding amount of weight off your belt?

So what part am I missing?

Is it more comfortable to have the weight come in the form of a backplate? Or is it simply the happy feeling that the weight is coming from a functional piece of gear instead of a hunk of metal whose sole purpose is to add weight?

Or ... does adding a plate somehow better you better than 1 to 1 exchange?

It's better than a 1 to 1 exchange. I went from 18 pounds on my belt to 8, and only 5 of that difference was the weight of the backplate. The rest is getting rid of the buoyant padding and such that my previous BC had.

Before I hated my weight belt and went to integrated weights, cause those 18 pounds on my waist were just annoying. After switching to the BP/W I am down to 8, as I said, and 8 on the belt is not bad at all.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

1. Dive Rite
2. Diluent

Dive Rite does not use a cummerbund on their backplate systems. They offer three harness options ... TransPlate, Deluxe, and standard hogarthian. All use 2" webbing for the waist strap.

Diluent? That's a joke ... right?

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[PerroneFord]

Dive Rite does not use a cummerbund on their backplate systems. They offer three harness options ... TransPlate, Deluxe, and standard hogarthian. All use 2" webbing for the waist strap.

Diluent? That's a joke ... right?

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

Hey,

You didn't say who offers it on their BP/W systems! However, it is interesting to note that their BC that has a cummerbund is often lumped in with BP/W systems.

As for the diluent, of COURSE it was a joke. I even put a smiley!

 

[Walter]

If you're going to strap on twin tanks and side mount a nitrogen bottle and an oxygen bottle you'll be better off with a plate back there. Arguably, it's essential.

I've never side mounted a nitrogen bottle, but I've been diving doubles with my vest since before the BP/W was invented. It works quite well.

 

[boomx5]

Diluent? That's a joke ... right?

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

No! You take a 21% inhale of pure O2, and then a 79% inhale of pure Nitrogen. So of course it's a Diluent.

 

[djanni]

A couple of questions ...

1. What BP/W manufacturer uses a cummerbund?
2. What use does a diver have for sidemounting a nitrogen bottle?

Inquiring minds and all that ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

I thought you, of all people, would have known I wasn't talking 100% nitrogen. You're the expert. You tell us.

If your out for a 220' dive and looking for about 20 minutes of total time at depth what mixture would you put in your doubles. Would you be using a tad bit of Helium in them? What mixture would you put in your side tank? Would you use 2 side tanks? What mixture in the second side tank?

Your the expert, I'm not, so enlighten me.

BTW: I just took at look at DiveRiteExpress' web site. I thought the cummerbund was optional on a transplate but I was wrong about that.

 

[JeffG]

Should tell you everything you need to know.

Yep. It is now very easy to "classify" his posts.