My new DSS BP/W

[koozemani]

Omfg! What a difference on piece of gear can make! No bulky I'll fitting jacket. No trying to stuff a bunch of unnecessary crap into pockets that I can't reach. No more frills(that's a good thing). My trim was instantly improved. I have to wonder though, comparing the price of this DSS rig to many of the other BCDs out there, why doesn't everyone own one? I have yet to see a down side. Having a piece of gear that is completely modular and can be tailored to a divers specific needs should make owning one (or several) of these a no brainer. One of the DMs was also sporting one, and, upon seeing mine, instantly launched in a zealous rant about how great they were to anyone who would listen.

The biggest problem was that I was so enjoying my dives that I completely forgot to get a pic of myself wearing it. Maybe next time.

Thanks Tobin

 

[ScubaDocER]

It is indeed a liberating experience!!! I have owned other BP/W setups from Halcyon and OMS. I did get a DSS setup for my wife and myself recently. My wife had not used this gear configuration before. When she did, she had much the same response as you did. She felt so much more relaxed. She wasn't struggling with her buoyancy as much and found it easier to remain horizontal.

I think that new divers aren't necessarily exposed to them (BP/W) as a part of their initial OW training. I had never seen one until I decided to take a cavern course. I assumed that it must be for technical divers but discovered I was wrong. It really is a nice setup for recreational divers as well. Truth be told, a BCD, whether it is a jacket, back inflate, or wing will still serve the same purpose of providing buoyancy control. Each setup is capable of fulfilling it's purpose with proper usage and practice. While I do enjoy the ease of using a BP/W, I feel equally as comfortable in either of the configurations.

Congrats on your purchase!! It is a great piece of gear.

 

[redacted]

Apparently, it must not be as profitable for most LDSs to market BP/Ws.

 

[DevonDiver]

I have to wonder though, comparing the price of this DSS rig to many of the other BCDs out there, why doesn't everyone own one?

You'd have to ask the anti-BP&W campaigners about that. They seem determined to 'poo-poo' any recommendations that we might give to prospective users.

As for the scuba industry... well, why would they want to sell an incredibly rugged, modular and minimalist system??? That'd be like selling an everlasting battery, a laptop that you could eternally upgrade, or a car that never broke down..

 

[fnfalman]

Congratulations on the new toy.

As far as why others don't own one, it's simple: we all have our preferences, good, bad or indifference.

Some people prefer to have the squeeze-me feeling of the jacket with the inflation cells around their bodies. I don't understand it, but that's how they like it and far be it for me to lecture them what gears to buy.

Somebody prefer the simplicity of an old Scubapro jacket BC as well. It's probably as no-frill as any BPW. Since that their trims are magnificent and they are as graceful as any diver in the water, something must be right for them.

 

[Crush]

I don't understand - why would you want something small and streamlined when instead you could own something like this:

No matter how you compare it, the above BCD will give you more weight per dollar spent, more material per dollar spent. It just seems like a better value.

Yes, of course I am joking. I simply can't stand the idea of any mention of a BP&W or BC not turning into a war.

 

[50Fathom]

In on Page One.

 

[jwalko]

I dove jackets for a couple of years before getting a BP/W. All I can say is I'll never go back.

I love the comfort of the BP/W, my trim is better, I can replace individual components, I can place the D rings where I want them, etc. I've yet to find a downside.

One thing I really like about it is I can eliminate a lot of weight off my belt. I use a steel BP with a small weight pocket (holds 4 lbs) that attaches to the mounting screw that hold the wing and sta in place (not sure what this pocket is called). When diving dry, I only need about 16 lbs in my weight belt. When diving wet, I remove the extra pocket and only need 4-6 lbs on a weight belt.

I talked to my dive shop about BP/W setups and they told me they could get me one if I wanted one, but they didn't know anything about them. Only one of the instructors at the shop ever dove one. Maybe the don't recommend them because they don't understand the benefits. BTW, the pricing to purchase a BP/W through the shop wasn't htat much different than a mid-range BC...so I doubt recommending BCs was a profit thing...at least in this case.

John

 

[bwade]

I have to say WOW !! as well. I Dove my DSS Doubles rig for the first time on the weekend after a pool set up test.

With 3mm compressed drysuit I went from 18lbs of distributed lead on a back inflate BC to ZERO with the DSS rig.

Perfectly trimed out, perfect weighting.. no extra bulk.

Simply put the best Gear Purchase I've ever made.

EVERYONE SHOULD GET ONE

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

I'm sensing a disturbance in the Force ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)