BP & W comfort question

[Lildrgnoflb]

Hi all,

Another BP&W question.

How comfortable is the system when diving with little exposure protection?. say a 3mm. Are there padding accessories and the like that you could add? Are the necessary?

Also, when I dive with a 3mm, I usually only dive with 6#'s in a Jacket style BC and the usually resort AL80. If I get a SS BP, I wouldn't neet any additional weight, so do I just swim up in an emergency? Since there are no weights to ditch? I was planning on the SS BP cause back home in So Cal, I dive with a 7mm and about 14#'s of weight.

Excuse the ignorance, I'm just starting my quest for knowledge about the BP & Wings system.

Thanks

 

[The Wanderer]

You've about got it figured out.

A SS backplate allows you to remove about 6 lbs off your belt. You should be able to swim up if necessary, if not using any ditchable weight. The BP/W is comfortable in a 3mm. Then just use 8 lbs of additional weight with a 7mm.

I would try out the new BP/W in a pool to work on your bouyancy and trim before heading out to open water. Rinse the pool water off that nice new gear immediaitely. And remember, in saltwater you will need a little more weight than freshwater.

 

[FredT]

Hi all,

Another BP&W question.

How comfortable is the system when diving with little exposure protection?. say a 3mm. Are there padding accessories and the like that you could add? Are the necessary?
Thanks

I dive one in t-shirt and shorts. No padding, no problem.

FT

 

[Albion]

Hi all,

Another BP&W question.

How comfortable is the system when diving with little exposure protection?. say a 3mm. Are there padding accessories and the like that you could add? Are the necessary?

Also, when I dive with a 3mm, I usually only dive with 6#'s in a Jacket style BC and the usually resort AL80. If I get a SS BP, I wouldn't neet any additional weight, so do I just swim up in an emergency? Since there are no weights to ditch? I was planning on the SS BP cause back home in So Cal, I dive with a 7mm and about 14#'s of weight.

Excuse the ignorance, I'm just starting my quest for knowledge about the BP & Wings system.

Thanks

I was considering that as well, but really it not an issue. If i gear up before everyone else and have to stand around and the boats rocking i might curse under my breath, but other than that nah. Underwater it is more comfortable anyway and thats where you will spend most of your time

 

[SDAnderson]

How comfortable is the system when diving with little exposure protection?. say a 3mm. Are there padding accessories and the like that you could add? Are the necessary?

In the water, the BP will be comfortable. In a 3mm on the surface you might find a little dig at the hips, but not bad if you have the straps set correctly. Some folks add shoulder pads to the straps, I've never felt the need. Halcyon makes a lightly padded doo-hickey (MC Pack) for storage that also provides a little cushion, don't buy it for the padding.

Also, when I dive with a 3mm, I usually only dive with 6#'s in a Jacket style BC and the usually resort AL80. If I get a SS BP, I wouldn't neet any additional weight, so do I just swim up in an emergency? Since there are no weights to ditch? I was planning on the SS BP cause back home in So Cal, I dive with a 7mm and about 14#'s of weight.

Good point, having at least a little ditchable weight is always a good idea. You should look at the aluminum backplates - they weigh a little less and are also very durable. In days of old, we used to dive plastic backpacks, I understand that the "new style" (post 1985 or so) back plates can be found in plastic. I've never seen one up close, but they might be worth looking into.

 

[gfisher4792]

In days of old, we used to dive plastic backpacks, I understand that the "new style" (post 1985 or so) back plates can be found in plastic. I've never seen one up close, but they might be worth looking into.

I believe Dive Rite makes one, in ABS plastic. I've never seen or used one, however.

 

[animian2002]

Hi all,

Another BP&W question.

How comfortable is the system when diving with little exposure protection?. say a 3mm. Are there padding accessories and the like that you could add? Are the necessary?

Also, when I dive with a 3mm, I usually only dive with 6#'s in a Jacket style BC and the usually resort AL80. If I get a SS BP, I wouldn't neet any additional weight, so do I just swim up in an emergency? Since there are no weights to ditch? I was planning on the SS BP cause back home in So Cal, I dive with a 7mm and about 14#'s of weight.

Excuse the ignorance, I'm just starting my quest for knowledge about the BP & Wings system.

Thanks

I dive with 3 mm and I'm using Alu BP.
I uses 2 torches as weight. The things that I kept in my pocket eg : Shears, Spool, SMB are also part of the weight and they are really easy to ditch if there's a need

If you don't feel secure, you can easily add 1 or 2 lbs of ditchable weight.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

I would suggest going with an AL backplate as they tend to be about 4 pounds lighter than the average SS backplate. This allows a little more ditchable weight if you have concerns about being able to swim everything up.

Strap adjustment is critical to comfort in thin or no exposure protection as the BP has to be in the proper position to avoid digging into your lower back. I do use a set of pads on the shoulder straps but then have no problems with the straps digging into my shoulders even in just a t-shirt and with a set of doubles.

 

[boomx5]

I've dove my bp&wing in the pool with a 3mm shorty wearing double PST 95's and been very comfortable.

 

[simbrooks]

Almost always dive with a 3mm and its fine, when i was trying to check if i should tighten it a little i probably got it a bit too tight, but still wasnt uncomfortable. Padding it no problem though, you can get padding if you think you need it - just try it out without any padding and see how you feel with it.

I wear 2# fresh and 8# salt in the same kind of set up with a SS BP, barely any ditchable weight. I have swum up a heavy set of doubles with no wing, and i know the 6# SS BP is no trouble to swim up.