Rookie curiosity here

[Dive-aholic]

I still use the rig with the Jacket. I only borrowed the SMS100 for that one dive.

Someone give me a hand up! FW on SB...and during work hours!

 

[ucfdiver]

It may be; easier for an instructor who has limited knack for teaching to teach divers in gear that controls the body position, and by providing a bandwagon to jump on, cave divers get to have more BP/W manufacturers to chose from.

I wasn't asked for a cave certification when buying bp/w. I'm pretty sure OW divers can buy the same gear I can.

Perhaps scuba marketing has expanded scuba's appeal beyond the primary constituency that is truly comfortable and competent in the water. Many new scuba enthusiasts are not able to properly control their body position underwater; BP/W controls it for them.

Big deal? I've used the same bp setup (swapping the wing only) for 4 stage/2 deco gas dives, tropical single tank dives, 50 degree dives, and everything in between. Managing a jacket BC is a useless skill.

 

[MauiScubaSteve]

I wasn't asked for a cave certification when buying bp/w. I'm pretty sure OW divers can buy the same gear I can.

...

Big deal? I've used the same bp setup (swapping the wing only) for 4 stage/2 deco gas dives, tropical single tank dives, 50 degree dives, and everything in between. Managing a jacket BC is a useless skill.

So ucfdiver, you <snip> pieces of my post, and use them out of their original context, to make what valid point to the OP who is not yet certified and whose wife is only interested in warm water?

So, if I may be direct, why the big hub bub over which is better between the two styles of BC's and how does one go about figuring out what they want to dive with. I figure that I am a long time away from Cavern or even Intro to Cave so should I just go with a vest style BC? Just looking for opinions from veteran divers is all. Thanks.

I have been known to be direct. The big hub bub is mostly an internet construction. Double tanks is really the main reason BP/W's exist, IMHO; there are not many doubles divers not using BP/W. Cold water diving is the next biggest reason, but there are more than a few cold water divers not using BP/W.

Perhaps scuba marketing has expanded scuba's appeal beyond the primary constituency that is truly comfortable and competent in the water. Many new scuba enthusiasts are not able to properly control their body position underwater; BP/W controls it for them.

I am a member of the camp that puts most of the blame for new divers not being able to properly control their body position underwater on Dive Instructors, who perhaps come from outside the primary constituency Dive Instructors should come from; divers with a knack for teaching who are truly comfortable and competent in the water.

It may be; easier for an instructor who has limited knack for teaching to teach divers in gear that controls the body position, and by providing a bandwagon to jump on, cave divers get to have more BP/W manufacturers to chose from.

Typical, that none of my "real" message is being challenged, but instead <snips> are used in seeming attempts to ridicule the messenger. Statements like the following were exactly what I was presciently typing to in post #2...

Managing a jacket BC is a useless skill.

By placing this question in the Cave Diving sub-forum of Technical Diving Specialties, you are pretty much guaranteed to not have a very wide range of opinions, IMHO.

 

[The Chairman]

Someone give me a hand up! FW on SB...and during work hours!

I saw him at Cave Country Dive Shop yesterday and had an interesting conversation with him. Glad I used him as an example!

 

[CaveMD]

Many new scuba enthusiasts are not able to properly control their body position underwater; BP/W controls it for them.

I am a member of the camp that puts most of the blame for new divers not being able to properly control their body position underwater on Dive Instructors, who perhaps come from outside the primary constituency Dive Instructors should come from; divers with a knack for teaching who are truly comfortable and competent in the water.

It may be; easier for an instructor who has limited knack for teaching to teach divers in gear that controls the body position, and by providing a bandwagon to jump on, cave divers get to have more BP/W manufacturers to chose from.

If you can remove the need to constantly struggle to maintain proper trim, why on earth wouldn't you?

It means your rig is properly weighted and balanced, working to maintain your body position instead of setting up your gear correctly is utterly asinine.

 

[Zoogrl29]

Why is it that a BP&W is better for tech diving than a jacket/vest style BC? I am new to scuba (getting my OW cert in January) but I have been reading a lot and find myself curious over the hole BP&W vs jacket/vest BC. Thanks for the info.

Ok ...I was just reading cave forum because I will be getting cavern training before my trip to Truk for wreck diving and came across this thread. I've never commented in this forum before but I feel compelled to give my .02 for this. Jacket BC's IMO are worthless pieces of equipment. After taking my AOW (over a year ago) I decided I would take a buoyancy class with my new Ladyhawk Scubapro BC (backinflate) because compared to my friend in the water (she had bp/w) I was a HOT mess! The first thing he did was put me in a Halcyon and it was like night and day. I sold the (new btw) Ladyhawk and bought a Halcyon that week. Go to a shop and rent some gear before making a purchase, test them out and see what's best for you but I'm fairly confidant it will be a bp/w because once you feel the difference in your body position in the water you'll be hooked!

 

[The Chairman]

It's just important to note that the boat doesn't make the skipper. In this case a competent diver can easily use whatever gear they've been given. Too often people throw gear at a training issue in hopes to cover bad technique. IOW, the BC should never make the diver look good. The diver should make the BC look good, no matter what they are wearing.

 

[Zoogrl29]

It's just important to note that the boat doesn't make the skipper. In this case a competent diver can easily use whatever gear they've been given. Too often people throw gear at a training issue in hopes to cover bad technique. IOW, the BC should never make the diver look good. The diver should make the BC look good, no matter what they are wearing.

Says the guy wearing a bp/w! Smh

 

[The Chairman]

Says the guy wearing a bp/w! Smh

I rarely wear a BP&Wings. I often switch between a Zeagle and an Aqua Lung. I essentially reserve the BP&Wings for doubles.

 

[LowDrag]

Once again...thank you all for your replies. Since I last visited this thread my wife has decided that PNW diving is going to be an okay thing. Thanks to TSandM and a few others posting some really cools pics/video from our local area she is good to go. Although I am planning on using a DSS BP&W she is still leaning towards a vest/jacket style BC. I do plan on renting her a BP&W for a couple of dives to give her the option and the ability to choose for herself. She is a smart cookie and will make the right decision for herself at the time.

That being said...I have one other question if I could please. What do divers that choose a BP&W use to decide what size or lift capacity to purchase? I am 6'2", weigh in at about 245 lbs (need to lose about 25ish ). I was thinking about the DSS LCD 30 Single Tank Wing W/22 mil bladder. Any thoughts?

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