finally got my BP/W wet......

[fire_diver]

Ok, so I finally got a set of independent doubles (AL80s for starters) bolted up to my BP through a Halcyon 55# wing. First thought, "Geez! This is pushing 80 pounds. I need to go buy a 2-wheel dolly." It's ok to move it around by hand, but I sure don't want to make any long treks with it.

Anyway, I get it into the pool, put it on and start to see how it feels. I thought I had the webbing tight enough with just the BP (2 finger test), but when I got neutral at 10ft it felt "wiggly." If I didn't maintain a slight heads-up position, the air in the wing tried to pick one side or the other, and left me hanging crooked. I found that arching my back seemed to keep this under control for the most part, but I'm still not sure I have it right. What are your experienced opinions?

Where should my tank valves be? When horizontal my valves were right behind my head and I couldn't push them down my back any. But when I stand up in the shallows, they shifted back south. Almost to where I'm used to them. Is this a crotch-strap issue? Too loose? Or is this a general webbing too loose issue? I know I need to move the bands up on the tanks a bit, but I didnt expect the in-water shift.

Lastly, I got a nice suprise while hovering down there. I went to let a bit of air from the wing and saw a big 'gurgle' for a split second and sank to the bottom. I then saw the inflator hose had detached from the valve. DOOOHH! Time to fire the person that put the new valve on there. Oh wait, that was me. Apparently I never went back and cinched down those tie-straps. Well, thats what the pool time is for anyway, right?

And my 4-year old decided that a set of doubles, with a fully inflated wing makes a great floating lounge.

Overall, I'm quite happy with the BP/W set-up. I think I just need a few more pool sessions to get everything adjusted right. Even with the screwed-up first time, I had no trouble staying basically flat and neutral at 10ft. Now I just need to get longer regulator hoses. Another 8 inches or so would put them about perfect.

One more question, (last one for this thread, PROMISE!) What are your thoughts on clipping the "main" reg to the left shoulder D-ring, then switching to a bungied necklace reg from the second (left) bottle reg during 1/3rds change overs? Switching in this manner feels comfortable and un-cluttered. Any issues here I'm not seeing?

I look forward to reading your ideas when I get back from work on Sat. morning.

FD

 

[*Floater*]

OI found that arching my back seemed to keep this under control for the most part, but I'm still not sure I have it right. What are your experienced opinions?

You need to balance the wing out. Tilt your body up (or go vertical to start with), and then drop into a horizontal position while mainting a straight posture so that the gas will divide equally to both sides. Alternatively, if one side has too little gas then tilt your body up, lift the shoulder of the side that has too little gas and listen to it run on to that side, then go back down to horizontal. If you added the right amount of gas you should be fine. A 55# wing is a little big for AL80's, so gas shifting will require extra tilting.

Where should my tank valves be?

You should be able to reach them, though this is less of an issue with independents. I put them so that I'm comfortable. They only shift in the water if your harness is lose causing the plate to move up and down as you change positions.

What are your thoughts on clipping the "main" reg to the left shoulder D-ring, then switching to a bungied necklace reg from the second (left) bottle reg during 1/3rds change overs? Switching in this manner feels comfortable and un-cluttered. Any issues here I'm not seeing?

You have to clip it somewhere and I use the right D-ring as well. The only issue I see with this is in case of an OOG situation. If it's clipped with a boltsnap, then you or your boddy cannot just rip it off. However, you can add a o-ring to the clip so that it becomes easy to rip off in an emergency. I've included a pic that somebody else posted previously, but I forgot who. (edit: sorry, can't attach, it says I've exceeded my quota... but you know, the way PADI tec guys attach o-ring to their boltsnaps...)

 

[fire_diver]

You need to balance the wing out. Tilt your body up (or go vertical to start with), and then drop into a horizontal position while mainting a straight posture so that the gas will divide equally to both sides. Alternatively, if one side has too little gas then tilt your body up, lift the shoulder of the side that has too little gas and listen to it run on to that side, then go back down to horizontal. If you added the right amount of gas you should be fine. A 55# wing is a little big for AL80's, so gas shifting will require extra tilting.

Yes, the 55 is overkill, but I got such a great deal it, I couldn't pass it up. Been looking for a smaller wing, but haven't found another bargain yet. I'll find one, it's just a matter of time. Thanks for the info on balancing out. I'll intentially un-balance myself repeately on the next pool dive to practice this maneuver.

You should be able to reach them, though this is less of an issue with independents. I put them so that I'm comfortable. They only shift in the water if your harness is lose causing the plate to move up and down as you change positions.

I tighten the harness a bit and try again.

You have to clip it somewhere and I use the right D-ring as well. The only issue I see with this is in case of an OOG situation. If it's clipped with a boltsnap, then you or your boddy cannot just rip it off. However, you can add a o-ring to the clip so that it becomes easy to rip off in an emergency. I've included a pic that somebody else posted previously, but I forgot who. (edit: sorry, can't attach, it says I've exceeded my quota... but you know, the way PADI tec guys attach o-ring to their boltsnaps...)

I know what your talking about with the o-ring. Sounds good, I'll try that.

Thanks for the help floater.