i am just plain confused

[gurumasta]

i am trying to decide on a back inflate bc or bp/w. i am reading through these threads and i cant figure out the lingo. what is dss? what is a hub? what is sta? there are many more as well. just about every thread contains abbreiviations and as a newbie to diving i cant interpret barely anything. is there a link that defines all of these abbreiviations? can some one please help a poor lost soul?

thanks,
-derek

 

[colsonn]

OMS-Ocean management system, a company
STA- single tank adapter
DIR- do it right, go ahead and ask about it, I dare you!
LDS- local dive shop
IMO-in my opinion
@#$%- @#$%

I went through the same decision a few weeks ago, and I still haven't made up my mind.

Nick

 

[H2Andy]

dss-deep sea supply, a manufacturer of bp/wings

http://www.deepseasupply.com/

hub - it's a "complete" diving package that offers all the different parts in one
(for example, it contains the bcd, the regs, computers, etc. in one unit).

http://www.sportdiver.com/article.jsp?ID=2423

whatever you do, don't waste your money on one of these

sta - single tank adaptor. you use this with most bp/wings to attach a single tank to it (you don't need an sta to dive double tanks). some bp/wings don't require a single tank adaptor. in the picture, the tank would go in the straps, and
the screws ill attach to the backplate.

http://www.ukrecscuba.org.uk/ukdiver/harness/kl_harness/kltreadrig09.jpg

you're doing the right thing for now. keep reading and asking questions before
you make a decision.

 

[gurumasta]

that is extremely helpful. thank you both very much for your help and advise.

with the bp/w, can you weight integrate them like a jacket style bc, or do you have to wear a weightbelt? i have read about the xs weight pockets but are those quick release and is that all you need to hold weight?

sorry to ask questions that seem stupid but im spinning in circles here. thanks.

 

[scubadobadoo]

i am trying to decide on a back inflate bc or bp/w. i am reading through these threads and i cant figure out the lingo. what is dss? what is a hub? what is sta? there are many more as well. just about every thread contains abbreiviations and as a newbie to diving i cant interpret barely anything. is there a link that defines all of these abbreiviations? can some one please help a poor lost soul?

thanks,
-derek

Welcome to the board! We have all been in your shoes.

IMHO=In my humble opinion
lol= laughing out loud
yomm= you owe me money (jj)
jj= just joking

 

[scubajunkee]

What kind of diving do you plan on doing and how often? Answers to those questions can usually help. The good thing about the BP/W is that it's modular, you use only what you need to use for the type of diving you do.

Ericson

 

[halocline]

With a BP/wing you can either wear a weightbelt, which I hate but some people like, or buy pockets. The pockets range from very simple (xscuba) to more complicated, larger pockets with release systems, like the dive-rite weight pockets. Personally, unless you're carrying a substantial amount of lead, I would not worry too much about having ditchable weight pockets. I almost never have more than a couple of lbs of lead, so it's no problem to swim to the surface with no air in the wing and the weights in the pockets. If you're wearing a thick wetsuit and are a fairly, lets say, buoyant individual, you might want to look into ditchable pockets. Remember that the steel plate replaces about 5-6 lbs on your belt, plus whatever inherent buoyancy the BC you're using might have. Of course, the plate is not ditchable (except in a real emergency where you're leaving your tank on the bottom) so if you're carrying a lot of extra weight it's probably not a bad idea to have that easy to drop if necessary.

 

[Markdone]

Read
Rent
Research

All of these toys are expensive. The most expensive piece is the one you end up putting up for sale, or into your closet, so keep doing what you're doing before making the purchase.

Wait until you start thinking about computers!!!

The Back Plate/Wing (BP/W) form of the buoyancy control device (BCD) is the only acceptable approach from some people's point of view. I have one (DSS), I like it. I also dive with my jacket style because that's what our students use, and I don't want to confuse them. I also don't want to jeopardize the relationship I have with the LDS owner, who sells jacket-style BCDs. Nothing fundamentally wrong with either, and you don't run across dead divers littering the oceans because they weren't wearing the "correct" bcd.

If I were starting, I'd look seriously at a BP/W for a lot of my own reasons, but that is me.

About weights. When I bought my BP/W, I was carrying 6 pounds in fresh water, 10 in salt. I'm now not carrying any weight in fresh water, and only 4 in salt with a 3mm suit. So, until you get to diving with a dry suit, you shouldn't worry too much about weights. Belts are simple, and cheap. You can always find lead to fit them.

 

[DEEPLOU]

that is extremely helpful. thank you both very much for your help and advise.

with the bp/w, can you weight integrate them like a jacket style bc, or do you have to wear a weightbelt? i have read about the xs weight pockets but are those quick release and is that all you need to hold weight?

sorry to ask questions that seem stupid but im spinning in circles here. thanks.

Remember the only stupid question is the one you didn't ask.

That said, in addition to the forums, hopefully you have a LDS (local dive shop) that services the full range of diving (from novice to techie).
If they are knowledgeable in that range and carry a similar wide range of gear, they should be able to help with some of your quesstions. In addition, they may have floor models to try on.
Alot of what you start with depends on where you plan on ending.

 

[gurumasta]

thanks again everybody! im working with my lds eyebrow as well, but they are more helpful on what they carry, so if i want a seaquest bcd, im in good shape, but outside of that, it may be tough. i will be diving in a 7mm wetsuit in frosty new england for the most part.