BP/W for Young Diver

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Skulmoski

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Location
Gold Coast, QLD
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I am looking for a BCD for my 12 year old daughter (slim, 5’ tall, 36 kilos). We are mostly fair water divers so a 5mm wetsuit (possibly with a 3mm shorty over top in the winter) will be the coldest she will regularly dive. We live in Abu Dhabi so 4-5 months of the year, we will only need rashers or 3 mm shorties.

My daughter has her OW and Adventure Diver certifications. She has completed the knowledge review for both Deep and Navigation. This will position her to complete AOW dives this March. Enriched Air diver will follow later this year. She has her equipment specialist certification. She is a competent diver with good buoyancy skills. She is achievement oriented (she got her black belt in Karate when she was 10) so I foresee her doing a lot of diving and picking up her MSD in a few years. That is, she is likely to dive for many, many years so I am interested in purchasing quality equipment that will last.

We watch YouTube videos together and when she saw divers demonstrating DIR skills wearing the BP/W, she said she wanted that type of BCD. Would it be ill advised to get a BP/W (single cylinder) for her? I have never used a BP/W so I would probably get the same set up since she is my buddy and I aspire to take GUE Fundamentals with her in a few years.

Thanks for the advice

GJS
 
I think that the BP/W is a great thing especially for teen divers who would grow through a couple of BCDs in a few years. As she grows rather than replacing the BCD you simply let some length out of the straps or replace the webbing as needed. I have seen Pink/Purple webbing and wing panels so there is an opportunity for her to add color if she decides she is tired of black.

If she is interested in the GUE world then she will end up with a BP/W so getting into one that she is comfortable with will be a good assist for that.
 
Definitely, a BP/W would be a great option. Call up @cool_hardware52 and talk to him. He's got probably the best BP/W system on the market right now. Everybody and their mother makes a plate, Tobin's are a step above.
 
I was about 14 or 15 when I switched to a BP/W, and I'm still using the same plate with a few more wings for more technical things now. It's a great choice!
 
how tall do you expect her to get? One of the issues is at 5' tall and slim she is not compatible with almost every BP/W out there. Deep Sea Supply is one of the only ones I know of that have a small and narrow backplate for that type of situation. The small is designed for divers under 5'3", so if you expect her to get to say 5'8" in the next couple of years, it may be worth dealing with a medium size plate, but if you only expect her to get to say 5'5", then I would stay with the small. Either way, it is worth emailing him and getting his advice. His products are truly top of the line and you won't be disappointed.
 
In the UAE (this is what I recommend to do, buy local), Check with either Boom Marine or with Pavilion Dive Center or Scuba Marine Marine Equipment.
 
A bpw is great for any diver, my son who is 9, has only ever used one. Halcyon, Oxycheq and DSS make smaller than standard plates and excellent wings.
 
I started my son on one when he was probably 11 or 12. We never used the weight integration on his earlier BC, and I never mentioned all the drama that was associated with this piece of gear - so the transition was seamless.

The biggest issue I have is the crotch strap over the weight belt issue. I've never been totally comfortable with that aspect for either him or myself... He's transirioned to using steel tank and no wt belt or.lead.
 
Bpw system (hard Al plate or soft like a transpac) are great for kids. As they grow only the harness needs to be changed. And several manufacturers make short plates now. I'm 5'1" and that's what I dive.
Check @Dive Rite , they have a kids program with free harness upgrades.
Scuba Diving Gear for Children, Teens and Kids by Dive Rite
 
Bpw system (hard Al plate or soft like a transpac) are great for kids. As they grow only the harness needs to be changed. And several manufacturers make short plates now. I'm 5'1" and that's what I dive.
Check @Dive Rite , they have a kids program with free harness upgrades.
Scuba Diving Gear for Children, Teens and Kids by Dive Rite

The option from Diverite is superior to the options from DSS for sure.

Check here to find out who the dealer is for the UAE:

Authorized dealers, dive shops, internet dealers: Dive Rite Dealers
 
https://www.shearwater.com/products/peregrine/

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