BPW for 10 yo

[DrWilliam]

Looking to get my 10 yo son his basic Junior cert. Plan to buy him gear. Wife and I use BPW and much prefer he start on this method including primary donate reg concepts.

Any recommendations? Will a small BPW basic set up from DGX fit a 4’8” tall ~70 pound boy? Or is this not feasible for fit and would need to buy specific “kid” gear?
Yes I know I could ask the manufacturers but this forum is always so full of good info I thought to put it to you all first.

 

[jengineer61]

2nd response to this thread might work

Thread 'Small Backplate'

Apr 7, 2020

I was watching GUE Instructor Dorota Czerny on YouTube and she talked about using a small backplate. I been searching the net and can not seem to find these small backplates.

Does anyone know what I can find some?

• Micheal
• Replies: 16
• Forum: Buoyancy Compensators (BC's) & Weight Systems

That thread identifies these two links.

Halcyon Backplate and Harness

Experience diving freedom with Halcyon's Backplate and Harness. Custom-fit and adjustable for all your diving needs. Backed by Halcyon's trusted warranty.

extreme-exposure.com

For Sale - Official Freedom Plate List: Please respond here. but Eric seems to have given up on manufacturing

Thread 'Short/small backplate'

Jun 22, 2020

Want to buy a short or small size backplate for my wife. She is 5'2" tall and a regular size backplate is a bit too long for her.

Prefererencenis for stainless but aluminum would be ok too.

-Z

• Zef
• Replies: 62
• Forum: Buoyancy Compensators (BC's) & Weight Systems

these show up every once in a while good for travel

E

Thread 'The new Freedom Contour - The Rolex of backplates.'

May 6, 2013

I've been working on my latest Freedom Plate model and I'm calling it the Freedom Contour.
Nobody else that I know of has even come close to something as cool as this!

Basically what I did was look at one of the old plastic or fiberglass backpacks from back in the day and I was admiring how the edges all the way around were rolled and turned away from the divers back.
I thought "What if there was a way to do this with 10 GA (1/8") stainless; to curve the entire perimeter of the plate and also shape...

• Eric Sedletzky
• Replies: 688
• Forum: Buoyancy Compensators (BC's) & Weight Systems

• 

 

[jengineer61]

Doing a web search there is a lightweight backpack style - look lie no plate not sure of sizing

BC/Backplates/Wings - Backplate and Wings - Backplates - Hybrid and Travel Backplates - Northeast Scuba Supply Store

northeastscubasupply.com

and they have a medium on sale

OxyCheq Stainless Steel Backplate -- Medium

OxyCheq Stainless Steel Backplate -- Medium

northeastscubasupply.com

Bummer this company is out of small

DIVING BACKPLATES

Medium Stainless Steel Backplate Fits two inch (50mm) webbing. Slots for cam bands for single tank use. Holes on 11 inch centers. All plates are laser cut with machine beveled slots and outside edges to prevent excess wear on soft products such as wet suits, dry suites and wings. For Divers...

www.oxycheq.com

 

[landphil]

I’d go with a plastic backplate with some height adjustment, like https://www.onlinescuba.com/mobile/Impact-Resistant-Plastic-Dive-Harness-Backplate-P27797.aspx - plenty cheap and light and can grow with your kid

 

[davecampbell]

I don't have children, but I do know how fast they sometimes grow at that age. If he's 4'8" now, he'll probably be 5'2" in about 17 minutes. My wife is about 5'2" and uses regular length backplates from Halcyon (carbon fiber and steel) and DGX (steel). Have him try on one of your BPW and see exactly how long (if at all) it is. He might be a growth spurt away from outgrowing the plate. Now with that said, plates are cheap, and everything else could be reused. If you're gear savvy, I'd look hard for used stuff.... he'll grow out of most of it quickly...

 

[Still Kicking]

Looking back at my own kids' development, I would not worry about a backplate at this stage. A BC that fits him well (even jacket -- the horror!) should work.

Try to find one with trim pockets so you can distribute weight to help him acheive good trim.

It's not about the gear. Getting hung up on specific gear puts him in the mindset that gear makes the diver.

Develop good basic skills like buoyancy control and transition to a plate when his growth starts to slow down.

 

[lukeb]

When I taught my daughter how to dive in the pool I just bought a used XS small women's BC for her ($50). It did the job for the pool but was still big on her (she was 8). I didn't want to invest too much in case she didn't like it. (I quickly discovered she is part mermaid!)

So knowing she was going to be diving long term, when I got her certified at ten years old I bought her a short steel back plate from Sub Gravity, and a single wing from DGX with a basic harness setup. It has been perfect for her and I have been able to make minor adjustments as she has grown (she is now twelve and the rig still fits her perfectly). I am totally sold on BP/Ws for kids as they are so simple, easy to adjust, she will never outgrow it, and bonus it helps her stay in neutral trim!

 

[GDHLEWIS]

Tecline do a Junior BPW, been tempted to get one for my 11 year old

Junior Comfort Set: Donut 10, Comfort harness, SS or ALU MIDI backplate, weight pockets, tank belts | Tecline Catalog

(English version below) PL: ZESTAW WYPORNOŚCIOWY TECLINE DONUT 10 JUNIOR COMFORT SET W skład zestawu wchodzą: - Skrzydło Tecline Donut 10 z wbudowanym adapterem do pojedynczej butli (kolor do wyboru) - Uprząż Tecline Comfort z płytą MIDI stalową lub aluminiową (do wyboru) - Kieszenie balastowe...

katalog.tecline.com.pl

 

[pisauron]

I had my son do OW at 10yo this year.
I too bought him a BPW.
It is not great.

For the course a jacket is much better - especially for removing underwater exercise & general comfort.

After the course he started using the BPW and it was fine.

Focus on skills not gear

 

[crofrog]

Halcyon small BPW works well for small kids.