BP/W: I officially don't get it

[shoturtle]

While the above is probably true, I think this has more to do with the fact that relatively few divers have tried out a bp/w even if it is hanging in a corner at their local LDS.

The implication that wider availability means people have tried a bp/w and rejected it just doesn't seem to hold true. There's a bunch of unfamiliar gear at my LDS that I have no idea how to use, but my first inclination is to ignore those and focus on what I do recognize. And what's recognized is typically the gear I was shown and used in OW class.

But there is allot of info out there, heck it seems like the majority of the divers that uses a BP/W comment on every newbies asking about BCD on the board with try the bp/w. Shoot I have even read where experience divers ask specifically about BC and the BP/W jump in to push the point. So to say that there is no info out there is not true.

For me who have tried it, it was nothing special. And my jacket is more comfortable as I am a warm water reef fish type diver myself. Who dives with a rash guard majority of the time. And then some BP/W advocates tell me I am incorrect on my experience. So there is no lack info out there and promoters out there.

When I took my cert via private lesson. I got my best advice for a retire fire department rescue diver who cert me. If you are not comfortable in it, don't get it. You are the one diving it, you need to trust it. He dove a fade out, jacket bc. that have had the pocket repair, just a reference to mudholes post. The really season divers can be identifiable by the warn in condition of their gear.

 

[Gombessa]

So to say that there is no info out there is not true.

Nobody is saying there is "no info" out there. But it's hardly unreasonable to suggest that the relative level of available information is unequal, or that primacy from training plays a large role on gear outlook. Also, there is quite a bit of bp/w talk on scubaboard, but the relative percentage of divers actively on SB has to be pretty low as well.

I'm not really aiming to advocate for bp/w here, just trying to keep things grounded in reality. Sure, some folks won't care for the bp/w, that's fine with me. But suggesting that it's due to a collective, reasoned rejection of the bp/w system doesn't ring true.

 

[shoturtle]

Nobody is saying there is "no info" out there. But it's hardly unreasonable to suggest that the relative level of available information is unequal, or that primacy from training plays a large role on gear outlook. Also, there is quite a bit of bp/w talk on scubaboard, but the relative percentage of divers actively on SB has to be pretty low as well.

I'm not really aiming to advocate for bp/w here, just trying to keep things grounded in reality. Sure, some folks won't care for the bp/w, that's fine with me. But suggesting that it's due to a collective, reasoned rejection of the bp/w system doesn't ring true.

That said, if you want to ground it in reality. Then statement that in general that most people prefer bp/w made in earlier post are completely false, and that it is impossible to support with any scientific data. And the sales numbers of jacket and back inflate BC's proves they are what people prefer. So if you read what was said, one can presume it is all about advocating the BP/W.

 

[Sas]

But there is allot of info out there, heck it seems like the majority of the divers that uses a BP/W comment on every newbies asking about BCD on the board with try the bp/w. Shoot I have even read where experience divers ask specifically about BC and the BP/W jump in to push the point. So to say that there is no info out there is not true.

Few new divers I know use the internet as their main source of information about gear selection. They use their OW instructor's advice in general, from what I have seen. I know I read up online and wanted a BP/W to start with but my instructor said only technical divers wore them and I didn't even get to try one (although six months later when I had tried one and decided I liked it a lot better than my old BC, he was VERY keen to sell me a BP/W...). Few local shops have a wide range of BP/Ws, it's something you have to ask for. A very small percentage of the divers local to me are on Scubaboard, or any internet forum. I am sure it is similar elsewhere.

For me who have tried it, it was nothing special. And my jacket is more comfortable as I am a warm water reef fish type diver myself. Who dives with a rash guard majority of the time.

Good for you...

And then some BP/W advocates tell me I am incorrect on my experience.

There are people here, who say that people who get BP/Ws are try hards. So, you can see there are idiots on both sides.

The really season divers can be identifiable by the warn in condition of their gear.

And your point? Actually really seasoned divers may buy new gear one day. I know a few who constantly buy new gear I also know people with 500+ dives who've had gear for a long time but have kept it in top shelf condition. I know new divers who've been given old moudly gear by friends too.

 

[Gombessa]

Then statement that in general that most people prefer bp/w made in earlier post are completely false, and that it is impossible to support with any scientific data.

Um, well I never said that and I didn't see the thread where it was said...so I don't think it makes a lot of sense to impute that to me?

Edit: I just searched it out, and the actual quote (again, not stated by me) was: "Whilst most people seem to prefer BP/Ws if given the chance to try them, this does not mean they are suitable for everyone." That's a lot more reasonable than what you've paraphrased above. And you COULD argue that it's supported by some data (though probably not really scientific). I remember a thread a few months back that actually asked the question of who tried a bp/w and went back to a jacket BC. Compared to the dozens of people who tried and liked the bp/w, maybe three or four tried it and didn't like it.

Again, it doesn't ruffle my feathers either way, and I'd still dive happy if 99% of everyone who tried a bp/w hated it. I just think we should try our best and be honest in characterizing what other people say.

 

[shoturtle]

I agree there is validity to you point that most newbie follow the instructors advice. I sure did, I try the difference stay, and found what I was comfortable with not concern about the bells and whistles. But with the price of gear, allot of new divers do look online to fine info and best price, most new divers are younger and grew up in the information age. I know many of them that are research nuts that check everything they can before buy something. But most new divers I see do not go out and buy new gear right out of cert it is expensive to buy gear. They rent, and allot ask opinions form divers that have their own gear on the boats and they do research. Do not think the the BP/W makers do not get the info out there. Shoot, the board has deepseasupply banners allot.

 

[babygonz123]

For me, living in the Detroit area, cold water dives are the norm. With a drysuit, a wing IMO is better. But the kicker for me personally is the ease that i change over from doubles to a single tank and vice-versa. Also IMO good trim is easier to achieve. Then again I designed and manufactured my own, so I may be a little bias.

It comes down to comfort and functionality. I'm not going to dive 20ft in the tropics with my drysuit and wing, it wouldn't fit the environment or style of diving. If a jacket feels grooooovy, then groove my man. The more I learn and discover, the fewer people I choose to take advise from.

 

[shoturtle]

Um, well I never said that and I didn't see the thread where it was said...so I don't think it makes a lot of sense to impute that to me?

Not trying to impute you for it, just pointing it out. I apologize if it seem like I did. That is all. I love my jacket bc, but I advocate get what you are comfortable with.

 

[shoturtle]

Because in general, people prefer BP/W to jacket/back inflate BCs. Obviously not everyone prefers it but the majority of people I know tend to prefer a BP/W over a jacket/back inflate BC after trying them out. For various reasons mentioned in this thread already

Or maybe I am misunderstanding your question? Are you asking why do people start in a jacket BC rather than a BP/W?

This was the post I was talking about number 212. did not mean to ruffle your feathers.

 

[Sas]

Do not think the the BP/W makers do not get the info out there. Shoot, the board has deepseasupply banners allot.

They don't, in my experience. I never heard of a BP/W until I read this forum. I only heard of Deep Sea Supply late last year too, and I dive and read Scubaboard a lot. I am sure I heard it mentioned but it passed me over like any other brand, not one that is known for their BP/Ws. Perhaps the fact I use Adblock might have something to do with this

I still get new divers who ask me about my "strange BC" and I dive in a place where BP/Ws are fairly common. The percentage of divers who read Scubaboard is very small, you must realise. On the local forum too, the percentage of divers who read it is small out of all the divers in my area. And the ones that are there tend to be experienced divers who already know about BP/Ws.

Local shops just do not seem to sell new divers BP/Ws (with two exceptions that I know of(. It tends to only be brought up when a diver is pursuing more advanced education and then the shop has gotten two sales - the original BC and the BP/W (which in my experience, is what nearly everyone who ends up with both dives the most).

Given how few new divers start with BP/Ws it would be interesting to see if it was reversed - how many new divers would go from BP/W to jackets. I suspect it would be much lower than the reverse. In my experience few divers switch back to a jacket after trying a BP/W and in all honesty I think a BP/W suits most divers better than a jacket BC.