BP/W question re: New Divers

[RDP]

My first BC was a jacket. It was nice and comfortable, but I tried the BP/W and I was hooked. It just felt better in the water. So, to answer your question; there is no reason a beginner should not start with a BP/W. Perhaps they are swayed toward the jacket because a jacket is more familiar to a newbie and it is more comfortable out of the water. (If your not making a hike, who cares about out of water!)

 

[Blackwood]

In any case, don't dive a BP/W simply because it's DIR, Hogarthian or Kriterian-ish...dive it because it's the better choice.

Of course. I had no idea what those were until I started researching BP setups.

 

[Derek S]

In any case, don't dive a BP/W simply because it's DIR, Hogarthian or Kriterian-ish...dive it because it's the better choice.

My first BC was a jacket. It was nice and comfortable, but I tried the BP/W and I was hooked. It just felt better in the water.

2 excellent points for you to ponder, Blackwood.

My first BC was a stab jacket (SeaQuest ProQD+). I dove it for approx 10 dives. I purchased a Halcyon setup and haven't looked back. I sold my SeaQuest about 6 months ago for half of what I paid for it. It stung, but I don't regret it.