BP&W suitable for instruction?

[Mystic Gringo]

Hi all...

I have been lurking here for a while, and have decided to finally come out of hiding. First, this is one of the friendliest and informative boards I have ever been in, thanks for that... I have been learning TONS from it.

I am interested in getting a BC or a BP&W setup and want some help with a question. I have two requirements for my next purchase (which will be my first BC since I was 16 I think... a little of my history at bottom of post incase it helps). It has to be good for travel, being light and compact is essential (all my travel is backpacking, I carry everything on my back). The second main requirement I have is that I am planning on going throught the DM program and Instructor cert later this year (I am sick of staring into a beige box all day, and want to work where others vacation).

Ofcourse, the BP&W caught my eye due to the simplicity (I have always thought that BCD's have seemed overly complicated), the compactness, and ability to make it work for whatever condition you might face. I have never seen an instructor using one while teaching though... and I wonder if some of you who are instructors, or who just know more than I might be able to answer if a BP&W would be suitable for instructors (due to demonstrations and such). Does PADI have any official word on this?

In my own opinion... it seems like it might be an advantage in some ways, as it will show students that BC's don't need all sorts of dangly, hanging things.

OK, a brief history... I learned to dive in Australia when I was 12... but was never certified till a few years ago (I am 31 now). I dove probably a few hundred dives uncertified as my folks had their own boat and gear. There was a gap of 10 years or so from when I stopped diving to when I got certified. I have dove in Aus, US, Costa Rica, and Honduras.

So... thats about it. Any help will be appreciated... thanks in advance.

-MG

 

[TRIG]

Hi Mystic Gringo, welcome to ScubaBoard.
During the process of accumulating a modest 64 dives in the pass 4 years, I've tried
a BC, a Hybrid and a BP/W, My preference is the BP/W.

__

 

[realdiver7]

The short answer to your question is "Yes." Now here is the long version...

As an instructor, I used to own 2 different back inflation BCs and a BP/W for different purposes. The jacket style will float you comfortably on the surface, and the back inflate style and the BP/W will float you comfortably when you get used to them, and when you have your weights trimmed properly. I haven't used the jacket style since my first year of diving, and I will never go back to it. No matter which setup you use, they all have the same basic functional components...air bladder, harness, tank mount, and optional weight system.

The general view historically has been instructors should try to use approximately the same gear their students use for consistency and ease of demonstration. This is easy when an instructor works for a shop and everyone has access to the same gear. It is not easy for independent instructors who dive and teach with the same gear. I have gotten away from the theory of everyone wearing the same thing, and try to show my students as many different combinations of gear as possible because that's the way it is in the real world after they get out of class. I don't throw it all on them at one time, but I gradually introduce them to new things as the course progresses. I also follow all standards that the teaching agency sets. Whatever you do, try not to confuse students. If you find a lot of confusion over gear, then you may consider changing what you use.

When I teach now, I use my BP/W setup, but I always remember to tell students and show them the differences of the various setups. For example, when removing and replacing the complete scuba unit underwater, I show the students that I have a two inch nylon belt with a buckle, instead of a cumberbund. I also show them what the Air 2 looks like and demonstrate it, but train them to use the traditional octo. Any objective info I can arm them with will prepare them better for real-world diving.

When assisting anxious students on the surface with a back inflation BC or a BP/W, I always remember not to overinflate the air bladder, and I also use a little more trim weight and overall weight to stay verticle on the surface and to be able to slow down students' ascents when underwater. Keeping your weight pockets at the very rear of your harness belt, over your kidneys will help with trim no matter what you do. You will learn little tricks of the trade in the IDC because you have to plan ahead for anything unexpected, and your weighting and gear configuration will probably be a little different when teaching as opposed to when you are diving on your own for fun.

I will continue to use my BP/W setup, and can never see any reason why I would ever want to go back to anything else because I have tried them all. If you go to work for a shop that sells a certain brand, then the shop owner will probably want you to use that brand as a marketing tool. If you teach independently, or if you are not required by an employer or teaching agency to use specific gear, then you should have no problems with using the BP/W setup for teaching and for pleasure. After all, when you are comfortable with the BP/W, then your skills will become "demonstration quality," which is a term some teaching agencies use, including PADI.

Keep in mind these are just my opinions. There will be many varying opinions on this board, and some training agencies may have their own different standards that apply. I am an independent instructor, pay for everything on my own without the assistance of a shop, send local shops a lot of business, teach the appropriate standards of my agency, and wear what I am safe and comfortable with. I would not trade my BP/W for anything now, but make sure you are very comfortable and proficient with what you decide to teach with. A good and experienced instructor can pick up most any scuba unit and do a good job teaching with it with very little practice anyway.

Hope this helps some.

 

[Mystic Gringo]

Thanks Trig and RealDiver... it makes me feel alot better about considering a BP&W for instruction hearing that instructors are using them even if their students aren't. I am sure that if needed, I can use one of the shop's rental BC's to demonstrate during confined water, just wanted to be sure that if I got a BP&W I wouldn't be wasting my money.

Any other instructors have advice?

 

[GreenDiverDown]

I teach in a BP/wing as do many of the instructors here on SB.

This gear is fine with PADI. Even a complete hog rig is OK.

Some PADI CDs will want you in a standard BC... so you might want to find out if it is going to be OK for you to use one during your IDC and some shops will insist that you teach in their gear... so don't be surprised if you can't use your BP/wing.

 

[fdog]

It all depends.

If 95% of your water time with the students is spent under the surface, why not use a BP/W? Especially if it's what your comfortable with.

If you spend any more than 10% of your water time on the surface, seriously look at a jacket. You cannot beat the ability to float your chin 6" above the water, and not worry about the wing pushing your face forward, while you are dealing with a flailing student.

When I taught, it was all shore diving. 50% of the water time was swimming on the surface. For me, I wouldn't consider a BP/W for that kind of diving.

I do own, and dive, both a jacket and BP/W.

All the best, James

 

[PerroneFord]

All the instructors I know wear a BP/W and teach in them.

 

[Karen Cleveland]

Is PADI OK with the 7ft hose routing if teaching basic class? Not being PADI certified, I really want to know. Seems my LDS, which is not PADI, is starting to have issues with instructor's and divemasters using the 7ft hose. I know alot is dependent on the shop and their philosophy. But is it against any PADI standards to teach basic with a 7ft hose.

Thanks
Karen

I teach in a BP/wing as do many of the instructors here on SB.

This gear is fine with PADI. Even a complete hog rig is OK.

Some PADI CDs will want you in a standard BC... so you might want to find out if it is going to be OK for you to use one during your IDC and some shops will insist that you teach in their gear... so don't be surprised if you can't use your BP/wing.

 

[GreenDiverDown]

But is it against any PADI standards to teach basic with a 7ft hose.

Thanks
Karen

Hi Karen,

There is nothing in PADI's standard and procedures that prevents using a long hose.

 

[jeckyll]

I remembered this question came up last week as well so here's the link in case it proves useful

Instructing using BP/W

Enjoy

Bjorn