Do you hate BP/ wing arguments?

[MXGratefulDiver]

The point I was trying to make and probably didn't do a very good job of it - is that a BP/W is not going to improve your skills, only practice improves your skills.

Roz In Phx

I agree ... gear alone won't make you a better diver. You either have the chops or you don't.

In this case, I think proper fit has far more effect on performance than whether the rig is a BP or traditional BCD. And as someone said earlier, I suspect that most people who have difficulties in standard gear do so because they chose a rig that doesn't fit properly.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[The Chairman]

Like I said... the tool don't make the mechanic. It's the other way around.

 

[David K]

I don't want to hijack the thread(before it dies) but if we're going to play who wears less weight try this. I was in my drysuit(trilam) So Fresh water, trilam drysuit w polypro undergarments 8 lbs!!! Who's going to beat that?? ND??? Any takers??

Trilam Drysuit, 200 G Thinsulate Undergarment, fresh water, double 104's drained to 500psi, ALU40 deco bottle drained to 500psi, ALU BP, no weight & I can hold a 10ft stop in 49 degree f water...I need to add a 6lb V weight in salt water.

Nothing unusual about it, most of the people I dive with are configured similarly.

I have found that minimizing the amount of gas in my wing throughout the dive makes me more streamlined & reduces the floaty feet sensation while ascending.

Unnecessary weight must be offset by adding gas in your wing; this increases wing induced drag & contributes to a higher SAC rate.


David K

 

[matt_unique]

....Unnecessary weight must be offset by adding gas in your wing; this increases wing induced drag & contributes to a higher SAC rate.

David K

It should be pointed out that slight changes in drag via weight, accessories, air in wing or drysuit, etc., etc., etc. will not produce a measureable change in air consumption. Take reels as an accessory example. If you make a dive with two reels clipped to you then dive with no reels you will not notice one bit of difference in the air consumed.

--Matt

 

[Hank49]

(I'm 6'6", 290 lbs, 52" chest) and only needed 6 lbs of weight in my belt.QUOTE]

Damn, Chief. Did you ever play any football?

 

[Keysdrifter454]

It should be pointed out that slight changes in drag via weight, accessories, air in wing or drysuit, etc., etc., etc. will not produce a measureable change in air consumption. Take reels as an accessory example. If you make a dive with two reels clipped to you then dive with no reels you will not notice one bit of difference in the air consumed.

--Matt

Absolutely correct.

The hysterical current wisdom on hydrodynamic drag is wholly without documentation, and primarily a marketing ploy.

It always amuses me when divers that pack a drysuit, with drysuit underwear, double 104's with a spiderweb of hoses, a canister light, two deco bottles and a stage think that one wing increases drag over another.

Correct fin choices will make a much more significant difference.

 

[jnallen]

People might dislike comments like yours because they enjoy diving their BCD, and though they are perfectly happy with their decision, you insist on going out of your way to tell them that their dive rig is "not good" because it isn't like yours.

Enjoy what you dive and let others do the same. It's that easy. No one likes to be told that their well thought out decisions are "not good", and neither would you. It's an inane thing to say. Personal choice of BCD cannot be rated on a linear scale of good to bad.

Maybe we should have a whole new BP/W glorification forum for threads like this? It could even have some sub-forums..."Shortcomings of Jacket BCs", "Stab jacket users, morons or menace?", and "Preaching to the Choir...a place for BP/W users to pat one another on the back".

Gregg

Well stated.

I don't know much about any of the variety of systems. I've just started. However, I do come from other sports with just as many similar arguments. For example rock climbing. Some will argue all day long on a particular carabiner, however, at the end of the day, what does it matter? Did you get up the wall? Did you fall off a climb becuase your 'biner broke? Did you have fun while on the rock?

That's the question of import: are you enjoying your sport? So what if another has a personal comfort level with a jacket-style, they may have learned to adjust to it's quirkiness' and are still love'n the same sport you are.

 

[Keysdrifter454]

Good point Scubadobadoo, As time goes by, and new members arrive, the same question is bound to come up over and over. If they offend...don't read them.

It's just so simple.

I've been arguing the tenets of DIR since the turn of the century.

Could you image a third grade teacher saying "I'm tired of being asked how to make a cursive Z". It goes with the territory. Just like the "use the search" replies that are always thrown out. It's a discussion board for sakes. Let people post and discuss as intended (like we are doing now).

Jason

Words of wisdom.

 

[MSilvia]

Like I said... the tool don't make the mechanic. It's the other way around.

That's certainly true, but any mechanic will tell you that even in the hands of a prodigy some tools are better than others, and having the right ones for the job will make it go a lot more smoothly.

On the other hand, if you're not particular, almost any tool will get the job done. You can remove the drain plug from an oil pan just fine with an oversized pipe wrench, and if that's what you're used to, it won't seem like it's a problem. You could use it for years and be very happy with the results. Still, you shouldn't take it personally if someone with a nice ratchet set tells you they think their tool is better for the job, and suggests that new mechanics should try one out before buying what you use... even if yours is easier to adjust.

 

[MSilvia]

It always amuses me when divers that pack a drysuit, with drysuit underwear, double 104's with a spiderweb of hoses, a canister light, two deco bottles and a stage think that one wing increases drag over another.

It likewise amuses me when divers think that form drag is an imaginary phenomenon devised by marketing professionals, and believe that increasing your profile will have a negligable effect on your diving. That's great stuff.

I take it you think boaters who scrape barnacles off their hulls to reduce surface drag have fallen victim to the same scam?