New BP&W convert

[LowDrag]

Yesterday my wife and I were at our LDS ordering our new White's Fusion dry suits when the owner, Shannon, said, "Hey, why don't you two come down and join us at the Aquatic Center for a day of diving in the pool on us?". Well of course I couldn't pass up an offer like that but unfortunately my wife had other plans for the day that she couldn't postpone or break. So this morning I got up and made her breakfast for Mother's Day and then we went our separate ways for the day. I got to the shop and grabbed a tank and headed for the Aquatic Center. Shannon had a Hollis wing he wanted me to try so I waited my turn and then jumped into his rig. He and I are pretty close in size so I didn't do any adjusting even though it was a bit loose. I didn't want to mess with how he had it set. Well...I submerged and was swimming around playing with my buoyancy and trim having a good time. I kept feeling like someone was tapping me on the shoulder so I would turn slightly to look around and no one was there. Few more feet and there it was again, turn around and no one there. One more time, this time I stopped and completely spun around and there was Shannon with this huge grin on his face. We surfaced and I asked him if he had been messing with me the whole time? He confirmed that he had indeed been tapping me on the shoulders. He had swam down behind me and picked up the octo hanging off of me and was right above and behind me the whole time. What could I do but crack up right along with him?


I sure had a good time trying out his wing. I definitely felt that even though it was my first time I had pretty decent control over my attitude in the water. I didn't have any major issues with keeping my buoyancy and trim in decent form, and Shannon said I looked great as I was swimming around.

I sure had a great time in the pool and out of it. We got a chance to talk quite a bit, observe the shop instructor with an OW class and afterwards I got a chance to talk to him (instructor) about upcoming classes that my wife and I have signed up for. One of which is dry suit. We start our AOW training next month with Nitrox along with it. I am stoked about getting a wing and getting back to class then dive, dive, dive to get more experience under my belt.

I hope everyone has a great weekend!!!

 

[Searcaigh]

I bought my first wing last year to use with doubles.

When I picked it up I still did not have the doubles ready and used it instantly with an AL80, fantastic experience and would not go back to a jacket style BCD.

 

[TSandM]

They work particularly well in the PNW, because total weight to carry is always an issue for us, as well as distributing weight so that a horizontal posture is easy to hold.

 

[LowDrag]

My big question is how much lift? The wing I dove yesterday had a 60 lb wing on it (so I was told) and when I ran my hands down the side I felt what people call "tacoing or the wing tacoed around the tank". So, I am thinking that a 45 lb wing would be the way to go. I am 6'2" and 235 lbs. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Dave

 

[rongoodman]

I only use a 40 lb wing for a pair of LP85s and a stage. I use a 30 for single tank diving, and there a lot of people using smaller wings than that.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

32 for steel and 23 for al80's with an al plate. drysuit and I go with a steel plate and bolt on weight plates.

 

[LowDrag]

My gear line up is as follows:

White's Fusion Bullet w/ Thermal Fusion undergarments

Mask

Computer, compass & SPG in 3 gauge console

BP&W rig

Hollis F1 fins

1st & 2nd stage regulators...hoses

Lights after passing night diving course

I should have put this in here earlier

Does this still fit in the same wing range as you were talking about Jim?

Thanks,
Dave

Miscellaneous gear on any dive i.e. cutting tool, slate (plastic), smb

 

[TSandM]

Try this: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/bu...ems/158370-ultimate-wing-lift-calculator.html

Most people, unless they are really very, very big or very heavy, can get by with a 35 lb wing in Puget Sound.

 

[LowDrag]

Thanks Lynne, I will definitely check that out.

 

[hellhole]

My gear line up is as follows:
White's Fusion Bullet w/ Thermal Fusion undergarments
BP&W rig
Hollis F1 fins
Lights after passing night diving course
I should have put this in here earlier
Does this still fit in the same wing range as you were talking about Jim?
Thanks,
Dave
Miscellaneous gear on any dive i.e. cutting tool, slate (plastic), smb

Imo.... u can get the lights, smb undergarment s and fins first..

U can practice with a rental bpw to see where everything goes... either dangling things everywhere or gettting a pocket. That does a little to determine what model of bpw u want.

Even if u dun get a bpw... or cant choose one yet... those items are imo must have eventually...

Wonder why no mask or computer?