Gear question

[Tigger5020]

I am a new diver, was certified last July and just took my Nitrox class. I will be taking my advanced OW and Master Diver class next semester at the local junior college. I am really diggin diving and will likely continue with my training. I think I would like to do some wreck dives and cave dives at some point. My question is this, should I go ahead and get a BP and wing right off the bat, or would I be better off getting that down the road? What are the disadvantages of going with the BP and wing setup vs the BCD? Any other equipment suggestions would be appreciated. Incidentally I live in the Midwest so will br diving in cold water when i am at home. My family is in Texas so I will be doing a fair amount of warm water diving as well.
Thanks for an input.
Tigger5020

 

[Nitro91]

Do a search on here or google with bcd vs bp/w, it's always a big topic around here. I am also a new diver and on my 8th dive I started using bp/w. I find it much better than a normal jacket bcd. Try them out and see what you like more.

 

[rongoodman]

I don't any reason not to start with a BP/W, and a long hose with a bungeed secondary while you're at it. When you're ready to move on, you'll just swap out the wing and add a set of doubles.

 

[DevonDiver]

It's a myth that BP&W isn't suitable for beginners (normally a myth promulgated by dive pros who rather disinform than admit a lack of knowledge). I regularly help divers get familiar with BP&W BCDs - it takes about 30 minutes to explain the differences, and 1 dive to get the basic fitting and comfort sorted out. I've taught plenty of Open Water courses using BP&W and students never have a problem with it.

There's a load of threads here on SB, that deal with the differences, pros and cons of BP&W versus jacket BCDs. A quick search will give you hours of reading.

I also did an article, that may help: Scuba Equipment : Selecting a Buoyancy Control Device (BCD)Scuba Tech Philippines

 

[fisheater]

All depends upon your answer to this question:

How much money do you want to waste?

If your answer exceeds the cost of a jacket style BC, you should waste it on buying a BC that you know you will stop using shortly. Otherwise, get a good BP/W and do diving.

 

[dumpsterDiver]

I'm not a big fan of BP/W for typical recreational diving, but if you plan on going into technical diving, then definitely start with a BP/W, the drawbacks are not that significant for most recreational diving situations.

 

[2905luvsbubbles]

It really depends upon what you want to buy and use. I would always recomend trying a wing first before you buy it to be sure it is what you want. If you are planning on travelling and renting gear, the most likely rental will be a jacket style BC. Many new divers buy gear and then replace it because it isn't what they want or work well for them. I just don't want you to waste money, so you are best trying a couple of styles if you can.

 

[TSandM]

If you're interested in cave diving, just buy the backplate system. They work beautifully for open water diving, and when you move on, everything will be familiar to you already.

 

[Doc Harry]

PADI published an article several months ago stating that a novice diver should stick with a jacket BC because a BP/W was too complicated.

What a load of crap.

 

[Fishpie]

The advantages of a BP&W far out weigh the disadvantages......
The only disadvantages are...drop/pinch/puncture of the wing if you are careless and having to stand up on a rocking boat to properly tighten the crotch strap.