Inexperienced Diver BC Question

[AfterDark]

I've never tried the BP/W, but would love to give it a shot! I'm so glad that my life is such now that I can dive frequently, so I'm ready to try new things. Diving has been the most amazing experience for me, & anything that enhances it, I'm all for trying!

The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of forever". Jacques Cousteau

 

[TSandM]

It's often true that, if a back-inflate BC is pushing you forward, it's either because it's weight-integrated, and you have all your weights in front of you, or you are overweighted, and have to put too much air in the BC. Also, if the BC rides up off your shoulders when you are at the surface, it will push you forward. The crotch strap on a backplate setup is there in part to prevent this.

I MUCH prefer back-inflate BCs, because I like having the front of my body clean and free of clutter.

 

[iluvtheocean]

My husband is getting certified this week. I did my certifications in another state, so when I moved back to MO, I didn't have a LDS or a group that I dived with. I've met my husband's instructor, his assistants, & everyone in his OW class. His instructor puts together several trips per year, & we're planning on going on some of those trips with them. They seem like a great group! I'm really looking forward to getting to know other divers back here in MO, & gaining experience from diving with them!

trips are always good and there are plenty of places in MO to dive. But i moved away from there to FL where i don't have to deal with snow...

 

[doctormike]

I hesitated to mention the Back plate and wing option because ScubaBoard users are rightfully criticized for pushing that option too zealously.

Rightfully? Why should we be criticized for giving an honest opinion about what we feel is a superior gear solution?


I have posted this a few times recently, but this question keeps coming up, so I'll post it again for the OP.


If you think that you might get into technical diving or if you plan on diving doubles, especially in a dry suit in cold water, then you should get a backplate and wing. On the other hand, if you only plan on shallow, recreational diving using a single tank in warm water locations, then you should get a backplate and wing.


M

 

[Diver Beth]

It's often true that, if a back-inflate BC is pushing you forward, it's either because it's weight-integrated, and you have all your weights in front of you, or you are overweighted, and have to put too much air in the BC. Also, if the BC rides up off your shoulders when you are at the surface, it will push you forward. The crotch strap on a backplate setup is there in part to prevent this.

I MUCH prefer back-inflate BCs, because I like having the front of my body clean and free of clutter.

I think my problem has been a combination of things: inexperience, being over-weighted, too much air in the BC, & all weights in front in the weight integrated. As I'm getting more diving experience, I'm more able to notice things that I should try to do differently. I can't even express how helpful this forum has been. The advice given here by seasoned divers is immeasureable! Thanks to all!

 

[Dr. Lecter]

I started with a used Zeagle backinflate that I picked up cheap after seeing it was well-designed and built, and was minimalist relative to the jacket styles I'd seen. I used and liked it for my OW checkouts, and it lasted a few months...until I discovered the BP/W.

I switched because the basic BP/W was even more rugged and minimalist than my Zeagle, and was a better design for all types of diving because of its scalability. Some points that made it clear to me that the BP/W was the way to go for a diving harness/buoyancy control device:

• BCDs are fabric and tend to add positive buoyancy while not being particuarly rigid; a 6lb steel backplate and harness had no positive buoyancy and allowed me to ditch the weight belt entirely for AL80s in light exposure protection in salt water, and accomplished better tank stability with a much simpler design.
• The plate/harness is the way to go for mounting dive gear generally: attaching reels, SMBs, slung tanks, scooters, backup lights, can lights, cutters, etc. They are all so easy to carry once you have a proper harness with well-thought out attachment points; and you can add, move, or delete attachment points at will.
• A BP/W harness is literally infinitely adjustable, and once you get the hang of moving webbing in triglides, isn't too difficult/annoying.
• You can select just the wing(s) you want and then easily swap between them; I use a 27lb donut that requires no STA for most single tank tropical diving, but can slap a 40lb donut on if I'm diving big single steel tanks in cold water.
• If you want a feature usually found on a BCD, you can add it to a BP/W: integrated weights, tank band mounted weights, etc. All available. Plus some other stuff not found on BCDs, like weighted STAs.
• Easier to travel with: breaks down into easily packable components and drys fast.

Around the same time I learned of the BP/W, I learned about Hogarthian rigs generally and switched to that, too. One need not adopt the DIR philosophy overall to respect the gear configuration that has come out of innumerable dives.

 

[boulderjohn]

Rightfully? Why should we be criticized for giving an honest opinion about what we feel is a superior gear solution?

You're right--I am probably too sensitive to that criticism. I just didn't want to be labelled as a "if you dive in a jacket BCD, you are going to die!" zealot.

 

[cbm32]

There is some middle ground as well. I dive a Mares Dragon that is a bit of a hybrid (there are others as well such as the Sea Elite). These hybrids offer increased buoyancy around the tank, allowing for proper buoyancy control while swimming but at the surface function more like a jacket BC than the pure back inflate or B/W.

I have spinal cord damage and on drift dives love to be head up with my arms (and sometimes my legs) crossed just floating along with the current. I also spend my safety stops head up. Although I am perfectly capable of attaining very good trim when diving with no current, being in that position for long periods of time can cause me pain in my neck and so when possible I like to drift or if remaining in one place for a while checking something out I will often go head up in order to give my neck a break (pun intended).

There is something out there for everyone and no one style BC fits all (nope, not even the B/W is perfect for every diver). Take your time and try as many styles as you can before you buy if possible.

 

[LeadTurn_SD]

You're right--I am probably too sensitive to that criticism. I just didn't want to be labelled as a "if you dive in a jacket BCD, you are going to die!" zealot.

John, you are one of the most balanced and "measured" posters ever, so anyone calling you a "zealot" would be way off base.

Having cleared that up.... No, of course you will not "die" if you use a jacket BC.

But being forced to go back to diving in my jacket BC while I wait for a replacement bladder for my BP/W really feels like I'm gonna die .

I really miss my BP/W.... sniff.

Best wishes.

 

[doctormike]

You're right--I am probably too sensitive to that criticism. I just didn't want to be labelled as a "if you dive in a jacket BCD, you are going to die!" zealot.

1) It is technically true, that if you dive in a jacket BCD, you are going to die

2) You are not a zealot if you are right


Preach it, brother..!