Do instructors not like to sell BP/W?

[The Kraken]

I try to put all my students in BP/W's.

The dive shop with which I'm loosely associated sells the components, so it's not as if I'm taking anything away from them.

I'm an independent instructor so I'm not tied to any specific brand when instructing.

I endeavour to point out to the student that if she or he buys a conventional BC and is not satisfied with it, then she or he has to find someone who, by and large, wants that specific BC.

With a BP/W, the diver can change whatever component is found to be unsatisfactory, replace it, and mosey merrily on along, happy and content.

the K

 

[leabre]

I was at a dive shop the other day and mentioned that I use BP/w. They are an aqua lung dealer, and just provided samples of some new BP/w they are coming out with. She hasn't tried it on yet but from looking at it wasn't convinced she'd like it. Of course, she also has only used the shops uniform, previously, too. She is a Course Director. So we were talking, I explained why I like BP/w, issues I had with BCD, and how they were resolved with BP/w. When she returns from Fiji or wherever it is she's at, we're gonna do some dives together and I'll help her adjust and configure the BP/w. We'll see how that goes.

If AL will have its own BP/w product line, then it might find its way into more shops and become more readily accessible to divers who otherwise wouldn't know. I haven't seen this device or its specs, so I don't know anything about how it'll fare but I see it as a good thing that a name brand (though, I consider DSS name brand, too) BP/w will finally make its way into nearly every dive shop (or stand a fighting chance of it).

However, if instructors are relunctant because they associate it with tech, or because they'll miss their many pockets, then it might not prevail so strongly. We'll see.

 

[The Kraken]

New divers like gadgets and pockets to carry every thing they will ever need on any dive, real or imagined.

Ya ever really tried to get something out of a pocket that's wet velcro???

For so many new divers, appearance is paramount.

Ignorance is bliss.

the K

 

[walke121]

Most dive shops don't deal with tec diving therefore don't carry tec brands. I AM NOT saying a bp/w is tec I'm just saying the companies that make them are and that is prob. why most dive shops don't carry them. I don't dive a bp/w system but I do use a wing style bc and it dives like a bp/w setup. I don't like jacket style bc's and haven't used one since OW training. But on the other hand I feel as long as it isn't a safety issue use what you are comfortable with. Safe diving.

 

[Peter Guy]

In all fairness a BP&W does require more effort to setup and adjust than the typical vest BC, but it's a long way from rocket science, and well worth the effort.

I'm working with a student who bought, at the urging of the LDS, a DUI Delta. On Friday she brought it into the shop for the owner to adjust it correctly.

MY WORD, I couldn't believe how many things he could pull and reset, buckles moved, this, that and the other thing. It DID fit her much better when he was finished but my BP/W is MUCH easier to adjust -- and much more intuitive also.

 

[The Kraken]

Amen, Peter, amen . . .

the K

 

[The Kraken]

You know, a BP/W is not unlike putting your belt through the loops.

You may get the belt twisted, but after a couple of minutes you'll sort of figure that out.

I guess what gets my thermals in a wad is the fact that LDS's keep calling BP/W's "technical" rigs.

the K

 

[Web Monkey]

I just don't understand why these instructors want us in a jacket style BCD so bad.

They could easily flip the question the other way and say "Why do you want a BP so bad?" Neither a BP or jacket BC has an overwhelming advantage for single-tank recreational diving.

A BP/W trades the ability to be stable in any position for extra stability when horizontal. Chocolate or vanilla. It's your choice, but there's no real advantage for either.

Buy what you want, however you should try both before deciding, and not buy it just because a bunch of people on the internet like it. Jacket BCs actually outsell BPs by a huge margin. The BP people just tend to be more vocal.

Terry

 

[cool_hardware52]

Jacket BCs actually outsell BPs by a huge margin.

This is quite true, but relative sales numbers are not a measure of merit.

Tobin

 

[The Kraken]

People buy Chia-Pets.

And all those things the late Billy Mays sold.

Ford sold Pintos.

Chevrolet sold Vegas.

Pontiac sold Aztecs.

the K