BP wing from the start???

[spectrum]

My wife and I are planning to go for OW certification this spring and I've been reading around here for a few months, including the current BP/W discussion.

I've done a discover dive in 03 and she is hoping the LDS can fit her in this week but the window of oportunity is closing quick since right now her wetsuit is a 5mm and we're in Maine. Anyhow we've snorkeld a lot this summer all over the state, personally 84 times since June 2. I say all this so you know where we are on the curve, near the bottom but comfortable out in the water.

Everything I read about BP/W I like and since my wife is a plus size I read it can also accomodate here with less fuss than most jackets. It also seems like an easier rig to keep clean, something I have not seem much mention of.

Now to my question.... since the likelyihood of my instructing shop having rental BP/W setups is probably nill and we want (?) to go that route does it make sense to buy it up front and to go through training with the gear we plan to use. I guess I'm torn between the school of thought that says "rent lots of stuff and decide" and the other side that says "train in the gear you plan to use". I look forward to your input, it will help me ponder all of this over the winter.

Thanks,
Pete

 

[Keysdrifter454]

My wife and I are planning to go for OW certification this spring and I've been reading around here for a few months, including the current BP/W discussion.

I've done a discover dive in 03 and she is hoping the LDS can fit her in this week but the window of oportunity is closing quick since right now her wetsuit is a 5mm and we're in Maine. Anyhow we've snorkeld a lot this summer all over the state, personally 84 times since June 2. I say all this so you know where we are on the curve, near the bottom but comfortable out in the water.

Everything I read about BP/W I like and since my wife is a plus size I read it can also accomodate here with less fuss than most jackets. It also seems like an easier rig to keep clean, something I have not seem much mention of.

Now to my question.... since the likelyihood of my instructing shop having rental BP/W setups is probably nill and we want (?) to go that route does it make sense to buy it up front and to go through training with the gear we plan to use. I guess I'm torn between the school of thought that says "rent lots of stuff and decide" and the other side that says "train in the gear you plan to use". I look forward to your input, it will help me ponder all of this over the winter.

Thanks,
Pete

Tough question.

I've never met a diver who tried a BP/W after a BC and didn't find it superior.

But getting someone to train you in one, when they aren't familiar with them, or sell them, will be quite a trick.

If you're intent on owning them, no need to rent and try.

Just start looking now for a sympathetic instructor.

Are you going to get certified in Maine?

I'd be pondering thermal protection ($) more than buoyancy gear.

 

[Quarrior]

That's kind of a tough one because you will have different gear than everyone in your class. However, since your wife will most likely be your buddy and assuming you both have the BP/W setup, then you both will know each other's setup and that's all that really matters.

Personally, the only gear I have purchased was BP/W, except for an old used jacket style BC which I never used more than once.

You're right about the rental thing, but, you might get lucky and get a decent shop that either has one you can for class or someone in the shop will let you use their's.

Good luck.

 

[pablosells]

I really think you should keep things simple for now and rent your gear from the dive shop (whatever they happen to have) and just focus on the open water classes and getting some experience. I know from experience that it's easy to go crazy with trying to make gear decisions when the most important thing is just learning the basic skills and having fun.

 

[Albion]

i think for OW training it might be a bit much, part of the course involves remove and replace your equipement which is tough enough on a new diver but with a backplate setup you have crotch straps to dela with and all sorts. I would go with standard set upo for trianing an dmaybe a few post certification dives in rentla gear, then look at getting what you want

 

[Quarrior]

With a BP/W you do not have to have a crotch strap unless you are diving doubles. I've been diving a singles setup that way since the end of May and have 60 or so dives on it with no problem.

You can use the standard tank mounting straps and standard reg setup with it too. You do not have to go to the long hose or anything complicated.

If you keep is simple, it will be no problem for a new diver to use. Personally, I think a jacket style with adjustable shoulder straps, cumberbund, single tank band instead of two like a BP/W offers, chest strap, and adjustable strap over the cumberbund is a whole lot more complicated than a simple slip on BP/W with a single buckle on the waist strap.

 

[Wendy]

With a BP/W you do not have to have a crotch strap unless you are diving doubles.

What?

 

[OneBrightGator]

With a BP/W you do not have to have a crotch strap unless you are diving doubles.

Evidently I've been doing it all wrong for years now...

 

[Quarrior]

Edit: Changing my whole statement.

I'll gladly concede the point on the crotch strap if someone will point me to a non-DIR document which requires a crotch strap when diving singles on a BP/W.

 

[RICHinNC]

I agree on a couple of things here....
one....why not start with a bp and wing??? It is ok to use store gear...and try a bp and wing....but as a first bcd, I really dont see the difference.

two...I think the crotch strap is a personal thing. If you are DIR and they dictate it and thats ok with you...then its ok with me....if you feel you dont need one...as I feel i dont need one with singles....then fine....go with out one...

its all personal really....
rich