Is the BP/W really the best BCD for recreational divers?

[Nwcid]

I'm sorry, it's very clear from the second shot that the tank is lop-sided. You don't need to be a GUE instructor to see that.

As is the 1st stage preventing the head from coming upright, and the plate digging into the butt.

I'm really surprised this discussion has struck so many nerves, and is such a sensitive topic.

I started the thread merely to suggest that perhaps a BP/W may not be the right recommendation for all recreational divers, because of the potential problems they might encounter.

It's as if I've insulted someone's religion or something....

I think the bigger issue is that it is the way you put it out there. What I have read you make it sound like BPW has problems XYZ and all other BDC's do not have these same issues. ALL BCD's have advantages and disadvantages. ALL take time to fit "properly". Most of your arguments "against" BPW apply to all BCD's so it is hard to see the point. A poorly fitting "jacket" BCD is no better then poor fitting BPW.

No, a BPW is not for all, but it is not nearly as complicated as you make it sound. It reminds me of the commercials during late night tv. They show people who act like doing simple tasks are so complicated the average person can't do it and then show you some product that will "make it all better".

 

[gcarter]

I think your looking at still shots of subject in motion... and finding things that aren't really there.
Will pass your comments on to the dad, a GUE-trained tech instructor. Rachael was rocking it with only her four AOW dives under belt at the time this photo was snapped. As girls go/grow I'd bet the regular length plate is probably fitting fine now, 9mo more of growing in the interim.

I'm sorry, it's very clear from the second shot that the tank is lop-sided. You don't need to be a GUE instructor to see that.

As is the 1st stage preventing the head from coming upright, and the plate digging into the butt.

I'm really surprised this discussion has struck so many nerves, and is such a sensitive topic.

I started the thread merely to suggest that perhaps a BP/W may not be the right recommendation for all recreational divers, because of the potential problems they might encounter.

It's as if I've insulted someone's religion or something....

Again reading in something that is not there. The discussion of the merits of one versus the other has been fairly balanced, although people are not shy about stating their preference - nor should they be.

I believe that issue has been taken with YOUR characterization of BP/W shortcomings. Your experience in this area is clearly not the norm here. Nobody is suggesting that the premise ("BP/W may not be the right recommendation for all recreational divers") is incorrect, just that your assessment of what the problems are is not widely shared.

 

[rongoodman]

I'm really surprised this discussion has struck so many nerves, and is such a sensitive topic.
.

I don't think any nerves were struck, people are just disagreeing with you.

 

[Pullmyfinger]

It's as if I've insulted someone's religion or something....

Oh Boy.
Here we go again.

Only if you imagine it that way......just so you can throw that worn out cliche' out there again.

---------- Post added January 1st, 2014 at 09:45 PM ----------

I'm really surprised this discussion has struck so many nerves, and is such a sensitive topic.

There was absolutely nothing in RJP's reply (which you quoted) that showed any struck nerves at all.
It was a pretty straightforward back and forth until you started this junk.

RJP mentioned that they have trained 11 year old kids.....you challenged him to show it.....which he did.
You pointed out some of your opinions about the pictures......RJP responded that the girl in the photo has grown some since then, and obviously will continue to do.

And then you throw the religious crap out there.

If your buddy can't find a back plate that fits him, or that he is comfortable with then he might have better luck with a back inflate BC.

I would suggest the Scuba Pro Knight Hawk or the Zeagle Ranger.
The thread is titled "Is the BP/W really the best BCD for recreational divers?"

My answer was, and still is....."maybe not"....or "not necessarily so"......or, "It's six of one, half a dozen of the other."

No imagined religion. Sorry to disappoint you on that.
Many people have chimed in and provided their answers and recommendations....and even pictures when it was asked of them.

If you friend can't get comfortable in a BP/W, the suggest to him to try either a Scuba Pro Knight Hawk; I owned one and really like it a lot.

Or a Zeagle Ranger, which I currently own and also like.

Or a Mares Icon, which I owned briefly, but I didn't like the fit of it that much. Otherwise....it's was a good BC as well.

Or any other of the great BCs out there. Hell, maybe even try a jacket BC if there's one they might like and fits good.

Or....if they still want a BP/W, but a shorter (perhaps more comfortable) plate....try Halcyon or DSS; they each make a smaller plate.

I think that covers a pretty good range of options.....but you already know that, because you dive at least a couple of these options yourself.

* Closes the hymnal*

 

[Michael Guerrero]

I think its the pink wing making it unbalanced. Everyone knows you should only use black gear.

Well, that's also true. Probably caused a huge vortex somewhere in the universe.

 

[maderadiver]

Poppycock

^^^^^^^^^^^ has no bearing on conversation just always wanted to say it and it seems like a good place for it

 

[Pullmyfinger]

It should make a comeback.

 

[doctormike]

It's as if I've insulted someone's religion or something....

I think that there needs to be a special version of Godwin's law for Scubaboard, where if you say this, you automatically lose the debate...

 

[Tigerman]

Well the scubaboard verson of Godwin's law, the SB law, is "Sooner or later it'll turn into jacket vs bp/w and/or splits vs paddles"

 

[doctormike]

Well the scubaboard verson of Godwin's law, the SB law, is "Sooner or later it'll turn into jacket vs bp/w and/or splits vs paddles"

I just learned about Pommer's law...

“A person's mind can be changed by reading information on the internet. The nature of this change will be from having no opinion to having a wrong opinion.”