New Scuba Diver want to use BP/Wing

[bketchel]

Hi everyone,
I've learned a lot from this board. It's probably the best single resource I've found for good scuba info and various opinions on equipment, etc... Thanks for all the great info.

Now for my question. I'm going to Bonne Terre Mine to do my Open Water cert dives in a few weeks. Shortly after than I'm going to Cancun for some diving with buddies. I recently bought a Pioneer 27lb wing and backplate combo because I like the concept (streamlined, minimalist, better fit, etc..). I'm not bringing it for Open Water cert because it's kind of non-standard equipment, but I want to use it in Cancun. Do you think the Cancun scuba charter will give me a hard time for using the bp/wing combo? I want to start using it asap.

Thanks for your responses.

 

[Scubaroo]

I think you're silly for not taking it to your OW class...

Good choice, but hold off on any further gear purchases until you're certified

 

[Hyper-limits]

I'm not bringing it for Open Water cert because it's kind of non-standard equipment, but I want to use it in Cancun. Do you think the Cancun scuba charter will give me a hard time for using the bp/wing combo? I want to start using it asap.

Thanks for your responses.

I would use it for the OW class. I believe that one day it will be standard equipment on a lot of OW course. Because after all it is the best set-up. Nobody will give you a hard time in Cancun for using BP/wing trust me.

 

[OE2X]

Think about why you bought a BP&W in the first place. You did it because like many of us we found it to be a preferable type of BCD. I echo everyone elses sentiments. Use it for you OW class dives. If your instructor has never heard of one have him come here and look through a few threads. Don't worry about Cancun either. They've seen it all...

BTW - congratulations on not wasting your hard earned $$$ on a bunch of junk that you would later on regret owning.

 

[Snowbear]

I agree, if the instructor doesn't get freaked out about it, and I would hope they wouldn't :11:.... use it for the class!

Some instructors are already teaching OW classes in BP/W's.

 

[kidspot]

I took the last half of my OW in a bp/wing, a friend took the first half in it (we swapped) It was the only one in the class, but the instructor actually liked the variety as it exposed the entire class to another type of equipment. Plus it gave lots of opportunities for him to share the dives he had done in a bp (no wing) years ago on wrecks off the NY coastline. He also prefered his students learning in the gear they would be using once out of the class.


I'd say go for it - you might as well train in what you'll be using so your instructor can help you make the most of it!

Have fun!

Tim

 

[bketchel]

Okay everybody....thanks for the excellent advise. I am going to take my OW using the bp/wing rig. Cool!

Another questions....will the Pioneer's 27lb be enough lift (using alum 2lb plate) in the cool waters of Bonne Terre Mine? I'll be in full wetsuit (5-7mm) and my build is athletic 200lb. I used 10lb weight in the pool during classes w/jacket bc. My concern is wetsuit weight / compression at depth, but I won't be going all that deep for OW cert. I just want to be smart about this. Thanks!

 

[Snowbear]

Another questions....will the Pioneer's 27lb be enough lift (using alum 2lb plate) in the cool waters of Bonne Terre Mine?...

As long as you are not overweighted, it should be fine.

 

[Wijbrandus]

Once I purchased my wing, I have never used anything else. When I took my AOW course, I had to show the assisting DMs how it worked, but the instructor was familiar with them.

I used it on the Aquaworld boat for a week in Cancun last November. I certainly recieved no grief at all about it. The only thing was I had to set up my own gear (I wanted to anyway). I think with all the cenotes and cave dives around the Yucatan, the natives are able to recognize what it is and aren't bothered by them. If you are diving in Cancun, I'd highly recommend this operation.

On the other hand, last week I was diving in Aruba and Curacao on a cruise. One of the DMs on the boat did give me some grief about it. He was of the opinion that "technical" gear had no business on a recreational dive boat. Since a BP&W takes a little more effort to put on, on a rolling boat I needed a hand to get it all squared away.

I wasn't happy with his opinion, and between dives, I talked to the captain about my issue, was assigned to another DM, and everything went just peachy after that. The captain and the other DM had no issues with what gear I used. Their opinion was it's my life, I can use whatever I want. The first DM wasn't a Dutchman, I should have known better.

 

[WaterDawg]

Smart purchase. Take it to class, explain to the instructor that its what you have and youd like to get trained using the gear youll actually be using in the "field".

Again, smart purchase, I wish I would have done the same.