Rig setup

[Mairiiv]

I've been speaking to a few people about their Rig setups for both Technical as well as recreational as I'm busy researching different equipment and setups.

Some people prefer using their tech rig as is for recreational diving while others prefer having a seperate rig while lastly you get the guys that change between BCD and BP/W depending on whether they are doing a tech dive or whether they are going out with recreational divers.

I'd like to know what configuration do you utilise for the two different scenarios as well have you ever had bad experiences with any specific equipment, i.e. specific first stages that tends to freeze up (I know there is concerns about some SP first stages that freeze up) or any other malfunction.

Thanks in advance

 

[DA Aquamaster]

I prefer to stick with a BP wing for both. In most cases, I also use doubles for both tech and rec as I think it pays to have one configuration you are very comfortable with. For traveling where weight is an issue, I use a separate BP wing optimized for single tank use. I also use a separate single tank regulator to make the switch easier, but both use the same basic long hose configuration. Overall though both configurations are very similar, just optimized for the individual needs.

 

[gene1340]

My wife and I both dive back plate and wing set ups. We dive mostly the North Atlantic off the coast of New Jersey. When we vacation, whether it be driving to Florida, South Carolina or North Carolina, flying to the Bahamas or Bonaire, DR, or anywhere else we take our back plates and wings with us. They are not hard to travel with. We even take our ponies with us, with the valves off and a new vip sticker if needed. I can't imagine diving any other way.
Gene

 

[The Chad]

I dive the same set-up for all dives. The only thing that changes is the size and material of the tanks, and the Argon bottle comes off at warm water locations

 

[jimdiverman]

I dive the same set-up for all dives. The only thing that changes is the size and material of the tanks, and the Argon bottle comes off at warm water locations

I dive a DR Transpac for recreational single tank dives with a neoprene weight belt whose weight varies by the type of water, salt or fresh and the amount of insulation. I dive a DR SS BP/W for technical twin set diving with steel tanks and no weight belt. I have a 3/2 wetsuit for warmer diving that I wear down to the low eighties. I add a 7 mil farmer john down to the mid to upper sixties, and below that I have an 8/7mil wetsuit for down to the upper 40s. I rarely dive in water colder than that, and have rented a drysuit in the past for water down to 42.

 

[TSandM]

I use a BP/W for all diving. I have dedicated doubles regs and a singles setup. I also have a doubles wing and a couple of single tank wings. I use a SS BP with singles, and an AL backplate for my doubles, except in the tropics, where I use a Kydex plate for both. All regs are set up with a long hose/bungied backup configuration, but my singles reg is yoke, for ease of travel.

 

[medic001918]

Like others, I use my BP/W rig for all diving. I have dedicated single tank and double tank rigs though. Both are the same, but with the appropriate wings.

Shane