BP/W...Ok, now I'm starting to get it...

[jagfish]

Well, my first dives in the BP/W setup were not as epiphinous as I had hoped (did I just create a word, or mangle and existing one?). First dives were posted in this somber thread: http://www.scubaboard.com/t62810.html

In the last several days I have had 6 more dives and about 7 hours of bottom time to practice. Many thanks to all who have posted their experience with trim, weighting, and body positioning to aid in attaining balance in the water.

It has been a noble struggle, but thanks to the help of others on this board, I feel as though I am a better diver this week compared to last.

One of the key pieces of input I have read many times is regarding arching the back. It took time, but that suggestion really worked for me. I almost felt like a high jumper, arching my back to position my center of gravity in the right place.

I just love this rig now. Now that my bouyancy and trim are sussed, I just hover about and when I kick, my body zooms along because it is not a kick to keep my from sinking or floating, all the force is going forward where it is supposed to...and of course I am much more streamlined now...

To any recent BP/W converts out there still struggling, take heart. My trim was so whacked last week, I was incredibly discouraged, thinking, "Scuba gods, why have you forsaken me?" and looking wistfully at my old BC in the corner of the room. A handful of dives with the right guidance and direction will get you where you want to be, but like me, you might feel silly in the meantime...

JAG

 

[The Wanderer]

You're starting to get it.

Great.... I already got it.

Welcome to the club !!! Memberships are still availible.

 

[CALI68]

Well, my first dives in the BP/W setup were not as epiphinous as I had hoped (did I just create a word, or mangle and existing one?). First dives were posted in this somber thread: http://www.scubaboard.com/t62810.html

In the last several days I have had 6 more dives and about 7 hours of bottom time to practice. Many thanks to all who have posted their experience with trim, weighting, and body positioning to aid in attaining balance in the water.

It has been a noble struggle, but thanks to the help of others on this board, I feel as though I am a better diver this week compared to last.

One of the key pieces of input I have read many times is regarding arching the back. It took time, but that suggestion really worked for me. I almost felt like a high jumper, arching my back to position my center of gravity in the right place.

I just love this rig now. Now that my bouyancy and trim are sussed, I just hover about and when I kick, my body zooms along because it is not a kick to keep my from sinking or floating, all the force is going forward where it is supposed to...and of course I am much more streamlined now...

To any recent BP/W converts out there still struggling, take heart. My trim was so whacked last week, I was incredibly discouraged, thinking, "Scuba gods, why have you forsaken me?" and looking wistfully at my old BC in the corner of the room. A handful of dives with the right guidance and direction will get you where you want to be, but like me, you might feel silly in the meantime...

JAG

JAG, I just bought my rig but have not been in the water yet. Can you elaborate on "the Trim" and weighting you used?

It might just be "epiphinous" for me!

 

[jagfish]

JAG, I just bought my rig but have not been in the water yet. Can you elaborate on "the Trim" and weighting you used?

It might just be "epiphinous" for me!

Diving in a 6.5mm wetsuit, I originally tried the same weight I had with my BC, which was 20 pounds. I had the SS plate (6#), a heavy STA (6#), and then another 8# in the Halcyon ACB 12 system on my waist.

First dives were with AL 80, and I was makedly footheavy at the onset of each dive. I was totally unable to keep horizontal unless finning. Toward the end of the dive (tank low), the opposite was ocurring, foot light.

Over the last few days of diving, I gradually dropped weight, eventually getting down to 12#, the plate and heavy STA only.

I had a 2# trim weight on my tank band for a dive or two, but then realized that with proper "body english" I was able to counteract the foot heavy part of the dive, and the foot light part as well. It was a combination of arching my back and bending my legs, finding my center of gravity, and then "resting" on it.

As of now, I can attain good horizontal balance with AL tanks no problem, and even easier with steel tanks I used on a couple of dives.

Good luck with the journey, and I hope it is epiphinous for you!

JAG

 

[CALI68]

I have a bit more challenging experience ahead of me because I have to factor in a drysuit (CF 200 w/ Andy's AU 100 undergarments) I have calculated 26 lbs with a PS E7 80. I weigh 200. It's gonna be rough, I had everything down pretty good with my Ranger but as you mentioned, I too want to take my diving in a different direction. I'm just curious, with all that weight on your back and very little on your waist aren't you back heavy. Does if feel weird?

 

[jagfish]

Know what you mean about the drysuit. I dive dry in winter and I am sure that my experience with the new rig will make my control of trim better when diving dry.

You know, with the 12 pounds on my back, I am a little back heavy, which is especially nice at the surface. Really easy to stay vertical and if I really relax, my body naturally tilts back slightly.

In the water, I haven't noticed any instability resulting from topheavyness, unless I am severely tipped to the side for some reason. In that case, there is a pull to go upside down, but not so strong that I can roll it back.

Regarding side to side stability, a bit more of a challenge has been getting the balance just right with the air in the wing (not that there is so much anymore now that I have dropped so much weight). Sometimes I notice that I am leaning to one side, but stable, and if I lean way the other way until I feel some air change sides, then come back to "zero", I am balanced out. Of course for me this is more pronounced at the beginning of the dive when there is more air to offset the negative bouyancy of the full tank.

 

[mleong]

I had a Ranger before and just switch to a BP/W. Diving in warm water in a 2mm shorty, i do not need any extra weight(no weight belt). THe Ssteel backaplate and 1pc STA is enough to keep me going.

michael

 

[Mar Scuba]

You can drop 2-4 lbs. going from a Ranger to a backplate system.

Jim, how much do you arch your back? Too much arching (like compensating for not enough weight) will give you a backache.

This is also why it is nice to have a wingset with three sets of bolt holes, although the Pioneers/Explorers should have your trim spot on from the beginning.

 

[jagfish]

I had a Ranger before and just switch to a BP/W. Diving in warm water in a 2mm shorty, i do not need any extra weight(no weight belt). THe Ssteel backaplate and 1pc STA is enough to keep me going.

michael

That's what I'll be diving next time I come to Thailand...

JAG

 

[Mar Scuba]

In warm water with a 3 mil full wetsuit and Aluminum backplate (steel tank) I am negative. Probably would be perfect with Al. 80 cu. ft. tank, might need 1-2 pound weight on the bottom tank strap at the most.

With a 5 mil full wetsuit, I am 2 lb./1 kg. heavy with SS backplate and 10 liter steel tank.

YMMV.

Cheers,