OMS Back Plate & Wing

[stoiclown]

I am getting ready to start my Tec One Apprentice program through PADI, & I thought I would purchase a BPW setup. As I intend to later go through & get a trimix certification.

After narrowing down my selection, I am looking at the OMS Comfort Harness, & I was wondering if anyone has had some experiences with this setup. My 2nd question was about the Wing, I was wondering with Double Bladder that has 60lbs of lift, does this mean it has 2 bladders in it, that each can lift 60lbs., or does it have 2 bladders in it that combined they lift 60lbs.. Finally do I even need a dual bladder setup, I intend to do some wreck diving.

 

[David P]

Im sure many people will start ripping on you about even considering OMS. I also looked at their comfort harness. I then ended up with a killer deal on a Dive Rite rig. It came with the delux harness (chest strap). As it turns out, everyone was right and I had no use for the chest strap. I took it off after my first outing with it. I cant see a need for all the fabric/pading around the backplate, once your in the water, your weightless. All the extra fabric will displace more water causing you to use more weight. You cant go wrong with their plain SS backplate with their plane web harness. Many people will run around jump up and down cussing and swearing the entire time about OMS wings because they have bungees on them...ehh. I personally like the bright red color, Makes you easier to see under water. As far as the double wings go, Ive read and most people are against them. "they solve a problem that doesnt exist..." I personally am not thrilled with another inflator hose on my reg set. However if you are planning on doing deco diving with heavy double tanks and no dry suit, you may want them for the redundancy because of the lack of a dry suit. However, The waters here are in the 50s and would you really want to hang motionless for that long in deco only wearing a wetsuit anyway?

 

[M_Bipartitus]

The double wing has two bladders that each do 60lbs. The idea being redundancy. Most tech divers, i have found, consider this to be one of the only redundant systems to avoid. Honestly there is little need for it exspecialy if you are also using a drysuit as is common in tech. They do require more work as both bladders should be cleanned after each dive. there is also the potential for confusion with two inflators around.

As for my opinion on the bungies... (awaits firing squad) ... it doesn't matter really. I uses them as my OMS wing came with them. They are easy to remove should you choose too. As a wreck diver the most important issue is likely to be getting snagged on something. For this reason alone it might be better to go without the bungies. True they will keep the wing away from potential snag points, but a wing without bungies has little potential to snag. Some will say they reduce drag by keeping the wing close to you while it isn't inflated. Other will say it adds drag. Ultimately it doesn't matter. if you are worried about the minimal drag that it may save or cause, custom design your own stramlined system with custom parts, hose enclosures and whatnot. Then start training for a swimming meet to get stronger, then... (oK, I'm drifting off topic now) Some will claim that the bungies will prevent you from inflating the bladder all the way. Possibly true. However, IMHO if 59 lbs lift isn't enought but 60 lbs is, first you need to balance your system, then consider a bigger wing.

I use the OMS IQ pack, so I have something similar, but diferent to what you are looking at. I got it becasue I wanted to have something that travels well and doesn't require a 100% new system when I get to Tech classes. Durring my reseach into what BC to buy I found many comments that few divers found the confort stuff to make much differance. Again you likely will have a drysuit on and the boancy in water makes it so light. If I recall correctly the comfort harness has plastic quick releases on the sholders straps like the IQ pack. I would suggest shing away from these. I only thought of it after a backpacking trip that was made somewhat uncomfortable after I broke a similar strap on my backpack.

Just some rambling thoughts...

 

[darkstar]

I am getting ready to start my Tec One Apprentice program through PADI, & I thought I would purchase a BPW setup. As I intend to later go through & get a trimix certification.

After narrowing down my selection, I am looking at the OMS Comfort Harness, & I was wondering if anyone has had some experiences with this setup. My 2nd question was about the Wing, I was wondering with Double Bladder that has 60lbs of lift, does this mean it has 2 bladders in it, that each can lift 60lbs., or does it have 2 bladders in it that combined they lift 60lbs.. Finally do I even need a dual bladder setup, I intend to do some wreck diving.

I have a similar rig (OMS plate, comfort harness, Oxycheq dual bladder)

Dual bladders are two bladders in the same outer bag. One is held if reserve in case the other fails catastrophically. This rig is normally used when diving with non-ditchable weight (like steel doubles) and a wetsuit. If you are diving dry, then you already have a backup bouyancy system (the drysuit). Each bladder has 60lbs lift, but you only use one unless the other has failed. Unless you are hauling large stages (more than one 80cf), 60lbs is more than enough lift. Big bag = more drag.

Many folks consider the inflater hoses on the OMS wings to be too long.

IMO, bungies are a personal choice. You can take them off of the OMS wing if you don't like/want them. Wings that don't have bungies are usually cheaper.

If you haven't already, you should check out the OMS site for some of the background you are looking for
http://www.omsdive.com/

I like the comfort harness, but it was alot of trouble to set up and initially adjust. I also find the shoulders a little cluttered, especially with the extra BC inflator on the right. You definitely want to plan on some pool time and check out dives to get the rig working for you. I do find it much easier to get out of, especially in the water with dry gloves.

You might also want to check out Oxycheq. ( www.oxycheq.com ) I really like mine and will likely buy the single wing for going South.

 

[stoiclown]

Thank you for all the input, I will just use the single wing. I do dive with a Drysuit, I was just curious about the lifting ability of the wing. The wing I will most likely get is the 60lbs single, in RED with no retraction bands.

 

[Life-Is-Good-Diver]

Thank you for all the input, I will just use the single wing. I do dive with a Drysuit, I was just curious about the lifting ability of the wing. The wing I will most likely get is the 60lbs single, in RED with no retraction bands.

I dove the OMS IQ pack for over a year, with over 60+ dives in caves here in FL on doubles, and love it. The " techies" that i was hanging out with at the time hated it, to fancy for them, and they were plain and simple, keep it " simple" meaning a reg backplate with 2" webbing, and simple set up. Im looking into the Bungeed wing's also right now, by OMS, as back then i was using the Diverite's " Classic " wing, which if i remember had 60 lb's of life. Here in FL, i'll dive double's in the summer on wreck's, and i'll be diving wet,drysuit is to hot for me in the summer here. I like the Dual bladder set-up alot, for a redundent system, as i also carry a lift bag and reel, but just to know i have 2 bladder's in my wing is a " mental " thing for me, as i try to be redundant on all my gear for the more tech dive's, i may not ever need it, but if i ever did, i know it's there !!

As for the Bungeed wing's, i agree with then getting caught and becoming a snag point, but it's nice to have the air in the wing on the bigger wing's more controlled, i also experianced alot of what your going through on the first few dive's , but for me i relaized it was a trim problem more then anything, but less then 20 dive's later, i was diving the double's just as good as a single tank, i didn't even know they were there

 

[Life-Is-Good-Diver]

Thank you for all the input, I will just use the single wing. I do dive with a Drysuit, I was just curious about the lifting ability of the wing. The wing I will most likely get is the 60lbs single, in RED with no retraction bands.

Man, i just love those OMS red wing's, they are just good looking wing's, period !! Great choice !