Jacket vs back inflate for new diver?

[mcohen1021]

Another opinion, I think you use more effort surface swimming on your back with that big bag on your back pushing forward. I typically try to do all my swimming under water.

In a perfect world, back inflate or jacket style, you should have little to no air in your BC unless you're overweighted.

That means BC style only matters where?

On the surface.

 

[formernuke]

If I'm on the surface I do either face down or side usually.

But I hate glare through the mask as well.

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

Another opinion, I think you use more effort surface swimming on your back with that big bag on your back pushing forward. I typically try to do all my swimming under water.

In a perfect world, back inflate or jacket style, you should have little to no air in your BC unless you're overweighted.

That means BC style only matters where?

On the surface.

I don't think there's much difference in displacement on one's back or face down. On one's back, it is a nice. lazy surface swim with being able to chat and keep track of your dive buddies. It isn't a race.

 

[BoltSnap]

I typically swim on the surface on my back. So much easier. Don't most people do this? Unless you have to avoid kelp, I don't see the point of swimming face down.

Swimming on the back on the surface for extended period of the time is the most INefficient way to swim on the surface. More drag and more effort. With a proper fitting jacket BC and proper kick, face down is best and most efficient. Swimming on the back is a sign of inexperience and waste of effort and energy.

 

[waterone]

Swimming on the back on the surface for extended period of the time is the most INefficient way to swim on the surface. More drag and more effort. With a proper fitting jacket BC and proper kick, face down is best and most efficient.

For the surface maybe it is or not..doesn't matter to me as I prefer on my back (most of the time) and I prefer a backplate and all the options that it gives me. I know on my last surface swim..on my back last week at Sund Rock it seemed quite effortless and my buddy and chatted about the seals.

Like was said, I'm not in a race and I do enjoy talking while taking a leisurely swim with my friends to the entry point.

Swimming on the back is a sign of inexperience and waste of effort and energy.

EDIT - Please don't edit what I wrote as there was nothing wrong with my statement , it was not offensive in anyway, was on (current) topic, correct and I stand by it.

{Mod Edit} That's just a ridiculous statement, I don't agree.

That's just a ridiculous statement, some very experienced divers just enjoy the casual swim out to the spot. Sure sometimes it makes sense to go face down, but just because someone chooses not to is by no means a sign of inexperience.

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

For the surface maybe it is or not..doesn't matter to me as I prefer on my back (most of the time) and I prefer a backplate and all the options that it gives me. I know on my last surface swim..on my back last week at Sund Rock it seemed quite effortless and my buddy and chatted about the seals.

Like was said, I'm not in a race and I do enjoy talking while taking a leisurely swim with my friends to the entry point. That's just a ridiculous statement, some very experienced divers just enjoy the casual swim out to the spot.
Sure sometimes it makes sense to go face down, but just because someone chooses not to is by no means a sign of inexperience.

If I'm that concerned about drag, I just lie completely flat.

I guess all the GUE in Seattle, including the instructors who dive on rebreathers to 300 feet and deeper are inexperienced.

{Mod Edit}

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[BoltSnap]

For the surface maybe it is or not..doesn't matter to me as I prefer on my back (most of the time) and I prefer a backplate and all the options that it gives me. I know on my last surface swim..on my back last week at Sund Rock it seemed quite effortless and my buddy and chatted about the seals.

Your "feelings" and your "wants" don't rationalize what is not the best method here. You can chose to do what you want but doesn't make it the best way to do it ESPECIALLY on long surface swim.

Like was said, I'm not in a race and I do enjoy talking while taking a leisurely swim with my friends to the entry point.

It isn't about speed or race, it is about efficiency and getting to the drop point in the most efficient and direct method.

That's just a ridiculous statement, some very experienced divers just enjoy the casual swim out to the spot.
Sure sometimes it makes sense to go face down, but just because someone chooses not to is by no means a sign of inexperience.

It is a sign of inexperience in the type of diving that requires long surface swims. It is a sign of somebody who is outside of his range of comfort.

 

[BoltSnap]

I guess all the GUE in Seattle, including the instructors who dive on rebreathers to 300 feet and deeper are inexperienced.

What does depth have to do with anything here? We are still talking about surface swims (meaning swimming on the surface to get to the drop point or the exit point ON the surface).

 

[Ontwreckdiver]

Thank you all for the replies. Everything y’all are saying leads me to believe that I will gravitate towards the BP/W setup. I hated the way the jacket constricted me. It felt like.

With that being said, what brands/manufacturers should I be looking at for good quality gear in the middle of the road price wise?

Essentially I need the hardness, plate, and wing, that’s the bones of it to get going?

I really like the Sub Gravity system, it's not the cheapest but it gives you the most options. You have a choice of 5 wing lift capacities, 1 aluminum & 3 stainless steel backplates and 2 harness styles. I really like their adjustable harness, it's just 2 simple stainless buckles. Their backplate come with a backplate cover (not pad) and the adjustable harness comes already installed on the backplate and their wings don't need a single tank adapter. You can get 3 different weight pockets choices.

Paragon Single Tank Package - SubGravity

We understand what the active diver needs from a single tank rig. Simple, streamlined, balanced, and easy to travel. We built the Paragon single tank package to offer a modular and customizable BCD to best suit single tank diving needs. At the heart of the Paragon Single Tank Package is the...

sub-gravity.com

 

[BoltSnap]

I don't think there's much difference in displacement on one's back or face down.

This opinion is sooo NOT right. There is definitly difference in the profile of the diver in the water between face down and on the back swimming.

lazy surface swim

Yes, it is lazy and wrong.