Looking for Advice on BP/W

[cool_hardware52]

jwllorens, I see you recently joined SB, Welcome. If you are veteran of other online forums this may well be old news, but if not I do have a suggestion. Online forums are full of advice, some good, some different, some biased etc.

It can be hard for a new member to discern the wheat from the chaff. I'd encourage you to take a look at other posts / threads contributors have participated in as way to get a feel for what "weight" you should give to any particular post or member.


It's easy to do, just click on a members name and then on "View forum Posts" A few minutes invested should be worthwhile.

Here's a quick link to mine http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/search.php?searchid=28528007

Tobin

 

[RJP]

It can be hard for a new member to discern the wheat from the chaff. I'd encourage you to take a look at other posts / threads contributors have participated in as way to get a feel for what "weight" you should give to any particular post or member.

It's easy to do, just click on a members name and then on "View forum Posts" A few minutes invested should be worthwhile.

Here's a quick link to mine http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/search.php?searchid=28528007

Tobin

Tobin "The Wheat" George FTW!

 

[stuartv]

jwllorens, I see you recently joined SB, Welcome. If you are veteran of other online forums this may well be old news, but if not I do have a suggestion. Online forums are full of advice, some good, some different, some biased etc.

It can be hard for a new member to discern the wheat from the chaff. I'd encourage you to take a look at other posts / threads contributors have participated in as way to get a feel for what "weight" you should give to any particular post or member.

Excellent advice! Don't let anyone on here make decisions for you - least of all me! Personally, I use forums like this to gather as much info as I can, so I can use my own brain to make my own decisions. That way I only get to blame myself when I screw up!

 

[Keith.M]

So you want to know what redundant buoyancy I carry IN ADDITION TO the drysuit and an SMB with ~70lbs of lift?

Maybe I'm over-tired today, but I hope that you'll either accept that I'm genuinely unsure if that's a serious question, or advise as to what turn of events a diver might encounter that would require redundant, tertiary, and quartanery bouyancy.

I mean, you gotta die of SOMETHING and if I have three bouyancy failures on a dive where I am also incapacitated such that I am unable to crawl out of a cave, walk out of a lake, or pull myself up a mooring line - all with my buddy looking on in amazement without rendering assistance or coming across another diver along the way - then I'm pretty much OK with that being as good a day/way to die as any.

OK, I am laughing now. We were actually on the same page here. I could not for the life of me see where you needed any additional buoyancy, but in reality, I misunderstood your redundant buoyancy on top of my redundant buoyancy comment.

 

[RJP]

OK, I am laughing now. We were actually on the same page here. I could not for the life of me see where you needed any additional buoyancy, but in reality, I misunderstood your redundant buoyancy on top of my redundant buoyancy comment.

The internet desperately needs a sarcasm font.

 

[Pedro Burrito]

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A ScubaBoard Staff Message...

Moved from New Divers to BCD

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[Ready4Launch]

I'm going to admit that I still don't see the major benefit of a BP/W for recreational diving. Simplicity? Comfort? I don't see it? What's so complex about a jacket style, and where is everyone coming up with this "big inflated flap" getting in the way and really how much stuff is there? I went out yesterday in another rental BCD, and there's a velcro and buckle along with a sternum strap. There was a single pocket on the right and left sides, the integrated weight pouch handles, and then a whole lotta water. I don't know what's getting in the way. I feel like I've been getting caught up in the simplicity for simplicity's sake sort of argument, when it's really pretty simple to begin with. I had a surface marker buoy tucked in the pocket, and it's not like I would have had to drastically adjust my "style of usage to the manufacturer’s idea" to open the pocket and retrieve it. I can see their specific use for tech diving, but for recreational, I'm not convinced.

Tobin, I imagine you'll be at the Scuba Show?

 

[RJP]

I don't see it?

Have you tried DIVING with one, rather than simply looking at it?

 

[Ready4Launch]

Have you tried DIVING with one, rather than simply looking at it?

Given that there isn't a shop around that rents them, obviously not!

 

[gcarter]

I have a perfectly good SeaQuest Balance back inflate BCD that I put > 100 dives on. I was quite happy with it, no need to change, but was intrigued with the idea of taking some weight off of my belt (primarily a cold water diver). I figured between the plate and eliminating some of the buoyancy inherent in the BCD, I could take 8 lbs. off.

So I gave myself one for Christmas (from my wife LOL), just 'cause, figured if I didn't like it I would sell it and probably not be out more than the cost of a few rentals.

I put 55 dives on it last year, and yes, it really does make a difference. It really does feel almost like wearing nothing, it simplifies trimming out, it takes weight off of your belt.

Bought it on a lark, but quite happy I did. I will probably sell the Balance this summer.