BP/W decision-question

[Bubbletrubble]

I don't think he put "I'm a Fish" because he has exceeded 5000 dives on the 'logged dive' section. Read his full profile and it looks a lot more like a sub-50/100 dive holiday diver. He may not be particularly adept at fine-tuning his buoyancy.

Yup. I read his profile. I agree that he probably has less than 100 lifetime dives. My comment was intended to make him consider revising that part of his profile.

 

[wader]

Wow, interesting comments. Certainly more than I expected. I put "I am a fish" because I am in the water several times a week, just not scuba. When I registered, I did not realize that it meant more than 5,000 dives, as it did not say that. I just thought it was fun. I think the rest of my profile is very accurate. I am a holiday/weekend warrior so to speak with less than 100 dives, but I am very comfortable in the water. I maintain very good buoyancy skills, especially so when considered to others with similar amount of dives, yet I need good advice with equipment so I come here. LDS is not very helpful in my opinion.
XXXXXX What is up with that?
I am not typically thin skinned, but this did strike a nerve. I think from here on out I will just stick to lurking. To have to defend and explain myself to strangers on a website that I thought was there to help, just doesn't make any sense.

 

[Bubbletrubble]

XXXXXX? What is up with that?
I am not typically thin skinned, but this did strike a nerve. I think from here on out I will just stick to lurking. To have to defend and explain myself to strangers on a website that I thought was there to help, just doesn't make any sense.

@wader: I just re-read this thread, and I didn't see any of the offensive comments. Perhaps the "garbage" was cleaned up by a moderator or a poster had a change of heart after-the-fact and revised his/her comments. Unfortunately, people don't always exhibit politeness and good manners on Internet discussion boards. This can probably be attributed to a combination of a lack of accountability (anonymous persona) and, for lack of a better term, having a mean streak. It's the price we have to pay for having an open discussion with so many people. People participate on ScubaBoard for different reasons. Some do it to help others. Some do it to brag or gain respect. Others do it to voice their dissatisfaction with our government (observe "The Pub" in all its glory). I tend to treat rude, uninformative posts the same way I'd treat the ravings of an acerbic drunk at the end of the bar.

Please feel free to add certain users to your "Ignore" list if it makes SB participation more palatable. The "Report!" button can also be a useful tool.

 

[Insta-Gator]

Perhaps some of our more knowledgeable and prolific posters might consider asking if the OP is a frequent/technical/professional diver or a recreational diver. I've noticed that on occasion an apparent judgement is made based on the type of equipment being discussed rather than it's intended use. aranoid: I too have recently converted to a BP/W and I know I have a lot of mundane questions (as perceived by the pros) but if you don't know, you don't know. Just because someone has a BP/W doesn't mean they are all DIR bound. My $0.02.

 

[Lobzilla]

wader: don't take it personally. Often, people get a little zealous here but there is alot to be learned by asking and insisting that opinions are backed up by facts.

FWIW:

My current avatar shows an AL plate with Oxycheq 30#, a steel HP72, and NO weight in fresh water.

The biggest challenge was to get into trim with the 3 mil shorty and the heavy Jet fins; my head was leaning against the first stage.

With an AL80 tank in salt water you would have to add weight which would be great to get the trim correct.

 

[Teamcasa]

.... Just because someone has a BP/W doesn't mean they are all DIR bound. My $0.02.

That's a fact. Add to that, all BP/W are not created equal either. I use a Apeks WTX Harness and a DiveRite Venture wing and I'm a long way from drinking the DIR/GUE KoolAid.
That said, I see nothing wrong in going that route, however, it's just not my style.

 

[Jocull]

WADER, I recommend keeping the SS BP. The money you spend on an aluminum one will probably be much greater than your luggage cost. Many folks have made good comments. Using a piece of luggage that doesn't weigh a ton is a great tip IMO. I just think your headaches will be smaller and less frequent if you are using a rig you are used to (trim wise) and easier to adequately weight once you hit the briny deep. I hope you have a blast!

 

[DevonDiver]

I've noticed that on occasion an apparent judgement is made based on the type of equipment being discussed rather than it's intended use.

I am pretty sure he'd be using it for scuba diving....


Single tank wing...so I don't think many members are assuming that it will be used for technical diving. That's probably the reason why nobody has given him advice based on technical diving. The advice given, does draw upon the recognized strengths and weaknesses of the BP&W system...along with a tendancy towards minimalism - as this is the cheapest/most efficient initial option and can be built upon as the OP develops his preferences and experience with the rig.

Better to start simple, then add. Rather than start complex, then remove. One strategy is far more cost effective than the other.

Minimalism and simplicity isn't just the preserve of DIR zealots. It can make common sense all by itself...

 

[DevonDiver]

Wow, interesting comments. Certainly more than I expected. I put "I am a fish" because I am in the water several times a week, just not scuba. ......
I am not typically thin skinned, but this did strike a nerve. I think from here on out I will just stick to lurking. To have to defend and explain myself to strangers on a website that I thought was there to help, just doesn't make any sense.

No offence intended. The discussion about your relative experience was only to confirm the best advice that could be given. If you did have 5000 dives, then you might not appreciate being 'taught to suck eggs', if we assumed you were a novice. We would not want to appeare patronizing. If you had 50 dives, and we treated you like a 5000 dive expert, then you may have found the advice given to complicated...or been insulted by comments like "you should know how to do that already". etc

There have been some disagreements before on SB, where members 'concealed' their true (lack of) experience so that they could appear more authoratitive in debates. Nobody is accusing you of that.

Regards explaining yourself... it helps to clarify exactly what advice you need. People have a variety of interests and abilities in scuba diving - one solution does not fit all. I, and many others, do try and give the best advice and guidance that we can on here...and it's tailored for the individual who asks.

As is the case with any internet forum, quite often a question can lead into a debate. Those debates can become heated, if people have different views and opinions.

Here on Scubaboard, we have the green zone (Basic Scuba), where the forum rules prohibit flaming and it is designed to be a friendly and welcoming area. The moderators are strict to enforce that. I'm really sorry if you've had a bad experience with this thread.... if you do want to ask more questions in the future, the green zone might be a good place for the sort of replies you like, where your thread won't get tangled in a debate etc.

 

[wader]

Thanks to all those that offered suggestions. I am going to keep the SS and buy a couple of XS weight bags for my cam bands. I will probably pack the weight belt just in case the pouches don't work.
Sorry for being so dramatic earlier. Having a bad week and it got to me.

As for having a BP/W, I love the ease of adjustment, trim and freedom it gives over a BCD. I do not see anything but recreational diving in my near future. While I love the sport, I just don't have time or money to take it to another level.

Thanks again.