Diving with wings...Tips for new user

[bwerb]

This is the sort of comment that just drives me nuts. A BP/W is just another back inflate BC, no more (perhaps a little less).

To my mind is there a signficant difference between a nicely trimmed out back inflate BC and an ill-trimmed jacket BC? You bet.

BUT, if you are properly weighted (that is, the correct amount of weight IN THE PROPER PLACES) I don't think it makes any difference what type of BCD you use.

The sad thing is that most people never take the time, nor have the instruction to learn, how to properly place their weights on their BCD regardless of style.

I have to disagree with you. I had a well fit and weighted Raider back inflate BCD and it was a significantly different rig to dive than my BP/W. The number of Ranger to BP/W divers on here would likely concur.

I have weight in two places total...the ss plate itself and a few pounds on a weightbelt...nothing else is needed, if you need to take a class to figure out how to trim out your BC properly, there is something significantly inherently wrong with the design.

In order to trim out the Raider, I needed trim weights around the tank (and I'm not kidding), about 16 to 20 lbs MORE weight. My wife had to wrap soft weights around her tank valve to get it to balance and often needed ankle weights. Her BP/Wing has completely eliminated the need for anything other than a simple webbing belt and some hard weights.

Rick's tip on the butt dump is great. Hand in hand with this is learn to feel where the "bubble" is in your wing so that you can shift it towards the butt dump if required by rolling appropriately.

 

[Vayu]

I think you will enjoy it also. BTW, there are alot great brands out there that are affordable. Golem, DSS, AGIR, and Oxycheq to name a few. You may want to avoid going the OMS route since everything I have seen of theirs has been sub par.

I am also going to disrespectfully disagree with peter_guy. Seriously man you should listen to your wife . I dove a ranger for a while. I like the Zeagle name and the people there but it is not a back plate and wing. One subtle difference that is noticeable to me is that the material used in standard back inflate bcds add buoyancy to the unit. Just by moving to a hogarthian harness a few pounds of ballast can be removed. In addition to this many standard back inflate bcds still use the dreaded velcro cumberbund, or have fancy weight release mechanisms. There is nothing fancy about a bpw and it can encourage divers to learn, improve, and standardize.

In addition to all this they are custom fitted and can be refitted to different individuals without worrying about small/medium/large/or extra large builds. Every piece on the unit will be easily replaceable and it will streamline the diver more than any other unit out there. It also makes them look cool.

 

[Blacthorn]

One suggestion is make sure that you talk to your lds before you buy from them. I bought a DSS (which i absolutely love) and decided to go thru my lds to give them a little more business. This was fine, but I ended up doing all the work myself. I was under the impression that they would help me set up the harness, etc, which as it turns out they didn't. I should have just gone directly thru DSS to buy my stuff. It would have been the same outcome with less driving for me. So just talk to them and make sure they will spend the time to teach you how to use a hog setup before you pruchase it. But on the upside, I know how to set one up myself now, and it really is simple. You can easily set one up by yourself in a little time, and I would STRONGLY suggest looking at DSS (www.deepseasupply.com) and talking with Tobin (thats the guy who made the first post in the reply to you) You will be very happy with the bp/w if you decide to go with it. It is kind of scary just making that choice, but with your fit issues it sounds like a hog harness would be perfect, since there is no chest strap. You really hardly notice it one once you are in the water.

Good luck with your decision, and please let us know what you go with.

Oh and I think Tobin has some pretty cool purple fabric he can make a wing out of for you, You can't beat him when it comes to helping with custom work.

 

[dumpsterDiver]

I went to a BP/W this year (probably because of what I read on here). It is definitely better for handling a stage bottle than my old sea quest BC's but it is not as comfortable out of the water. If you are diving in the northeast and having trouble with ladders then you are probably diving in rough conditions. I don't care what others say, I find that the back inflate BC is not as stable or comfortable on the surface but this will only make much of a difference if you find yourself on the surface a lot and I would much rather be using a "normal" BC if I found myself floating in whitecaps and having no air in my tank.

For me, it was not a big difference to learn the BP/W. I found no real advantage in improving trim etc. I think my first dive with it was in 190 feet in the ocean. I think it is important to get the smallest wing, that is practical for your diving.

 

[Torontonian]

Here's my tip: Get in the habit of using the butt dump wherever possible... and keeps your trim nice while venting

But don't everyone already dump/vent from their butt? :mooner:

Sorry, couldn't help it.

Ok, Rick, it is good advise, very good. Actually it's the first time I've heard of this -- so I'm learning something. I have only dove with a jacket style BC before, and have always used the inflator to add air or vent air. One time (while I was learning) I was horizontal at the surface and couldn't vent air to sink. Then I realized I had to be vertical. It would've be nice if the instructor had told me to try using the dump valve to vent air. Well, it was probably because I had a lot of other things to learn. I have to try that next time I dive.

BTW, I'm seriously looking at the Golem wing SS plate combo hot deal at $340 (if I don't get the DUI Intrepid at $160).

 

[matt_unique]

Wings function and behave the same way as a back inflate BC. Determine your necessary weight as you would with any new gear, and dive. You will need less weight, you'll need to configure your tools on the harness (cutting, safety sausage, etc. whatever you usually use), and of course adjust the harness to fit comfortably.

I'm not personally a fan of the butt dump. In fact, we cut the dump knobs off and use them as a stopper for our reels. I don't like the idea of a knob behind me getting caught on something and dumping the air in my wing (i.e in a wreck).

--Matt

 

[MSilvia]

Also on anything off a boat in the NE I use a 30cuft pony.

I don't know where in the NE you are, but if it's near the Boston area, I'd be happy to help you out.

 

[shoredivr]

The OMS single doughnut wing I use works well for me.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Wings function and behave the same way as a back inflate BC. Determine your necessary weight as you would with any new gear, and dive. You will need less weight, you'll need to configure your tools on the harness (cutting, safety sausage, etc. whatever you usually use), and of course adjust the harness to fit comfortably.

I'm not personally a fan of the butt dump. In fact, we cut the dump knobs off and use them as a stopper for our reels. I don't like the idea of a knob behind me getting caught on something and dumping the air in my wing (i.e in a wreck).

--Matt

DSS wings don't have a knob on the dump. I use mine more now than before because I was used to using the inflator. But that is easier now since the inflator hose on a DSS wing is not 2 ft long like the one on my probe.