Should a BP/W be my first BC?

[RiverRat]

Thanks, I forgot to mention that I'll probably be a recreational diver and pursue photography

Something else to think about. I totally love my rig as I'm into photography. I don't use much, if any, air in my wing but you need to think about that air bubble especially when trying to stabilize yourself for a shot. Some photographers swear by the "air all around you" BC's for photography so the bubble will rotate and keep them stable. Like if taking pictures on your side or whatever. They claim the back inflate won't let you roll around but I'm not convinced of that. But like I said, I use NO air in the wing so it's not an issue. Another thing to think about if you're serious about getting into picture taking. One thing I can say about the plate is that it holds the tank real close and tight to my body, eliminating the "tank slap" you can get with many BC's. That can be annoying when your tank is starting to become positive towards the end of your dive and you're trying to hold a shot. I have dual Scubapro super cinch straps, that tank isn't going anywhere.

 

[Markdone]

I have the DSS rig but I wear a jacket-style for classes, since that's what the students have, and what the LDS owner prefers.

When I bought the DSS rig, I got the SS plate, and went to zero weight in fresh water with AL80, 3mm full suit & hood - but my body is slightly negative to start with. I'll probably buy the composite plate soon to cut travel weight, and allow me to wear ditchable weight in fresh water.

One PITA is the weight belt. I'm used to putting the belt on on first. With my BP/W, it has to be last so it goes over the crotch strap. On a boat, it's relatively easy to lay the belt on the bench, sit, strap on my rig, then put the belt on. It's challenging to do it standing though.

Bottom line, neither one is deadly - I would recommend the BP/W if you're looking for the maximum flexibility in future growth - doubles, tech etc.

 

[Av06]

Is the crotch strap a very important aspect of the BP/W? It seems like it would be really annoying, could I just cut it off? (sorry if that sounds ignorant, new to BP/W)

 

[Markdone]

Is the crotch strap a very important aspect of the BP/W? It seems like it would be really annoying, could I just cut it off? (sorry if that sounds ignorant, new to BP/W)

Good question. It is certainly not critical, but it has a couple of uses for me - 1) keeps the rig from riding up around your ears on the surface 2) handy d-ring point in back - very nice and out of the way, but easy to find since you can follow your strap around. Things you put there are also below/behind your tanks so they don't increase your drag count too much.

Others reserve use of the front ring for attaching to a DPV (scooter).

With proper technique - i.e. not putting too much air in your wing, you can usually avoid point 1. Since I don't use or have a DPV, your question has me thinking I'll probably take it off and see how I like it.

 

[cool_hardware52]

Is the crotch strap a very important aspect of the BP/W? It seems like it would be really annoying, could I just cut it off? (sorry if that sounds ignorant, new to BP/W)

In my opinion the crotch is a vital element for a BP&W. I'd recommend trying one first, before cutting anything off. Shoulder straps on a Hogarthian harness are usually made from fairly stiff resin reinforced webbing (weight belt webbing) The crotch need not be, and is often made from much softer non reinforced webbing.

In practice it's neither had to don, or really very noticable in use. The crotch strap also provides place for a tow behind scooter to attach. A dring can be fitted to the rear of a crotch strap (butt ring) to provide a clip point for a reel.

Regards,



Tobin

 

[Fish_Whisperer]

Agreed on the crotch-strap. I dove my Dive-Rite BC without one, and it was rather ungainly. The tank wanted to slide around, and the whole rig kept migrating up, until the tank was thumping me in the back of the melon. With the crotch-strap, EVERYTHING was stablized, and the BC was fun and easy to use. The crotch strap is a non-issue. Just slide everything over to the side of "The Twins" and you'll be fine.

 

[djanni]

If you think about it the only significant design difference between BC's is:

1. The design of the bladder; i.e. wrap around or back inflate. Built in or attached?

2. Whether or not a steel plate is used to hold everything together.

Unless the wing/bladder is built in, the harness and etc is either attached to a soft back or a hard back. In essence, that's the major difference. So the only thing that really matters is when should a "steel plate" be used instead of a soft plate?

If I were going to start diving with twin tanks I'd get a BC with a steel back plate and most likely I'd get a rig from Deep Sea Supply. I think the steel plate provides the best way to manage all aspects of two tanks.

However, when diving with a single tank I'd go for a BC with a soft back, back inflate wing and integrated weights and pockets. All the convenience and comfort of home so to speak.

I read about how much more streamlined bp/w's are but after they add pockets, integrated weight pouches, plate covers and etc. its no more streamlined than my Stiletto.

I've read about the person who says they switched from a BC to BP/W and no longer needed a weight belt. Of course they don't mention that the SS backplate weighs 5 lbs. Of course I need more than 5 anyway. In Grand Cayman about a month ago the Dive Master was a rather large fellow (yeah fat, he had to be 250 to 270) who said he'd been diving for 30 years. He wore a relatively new jacket style Sherwood and no extra weight at all. Granted, he didn't ware a wetsuit either but I'm still wondering about that one.

I read statements like "bp/w's are more stable than a BC but I always think "that's just because they've never worn a Knighthawk or a Stiletto.

I wouldn't start to speculate as to why, but I've been diving warm waters for 5 years and the I believe I could count the number of BP/w's I've seen people wearing on 1 hand and that includes me. I'm sure there's a reason for that somewhere.

I've never dived in cold waters and just from reading post here on Scubaboard it seems that bp/w's are more popular in the north or in colder waters. I'm sure there's a reason for that somewhere.

Assuming you're not to concerned about twin tanks at this point you probably can't go wrong with either style.

 

[Av06]

Thanks for answering my c strap question, I can understand how it would be needed to keep things from riding up.

 

[Randy43068]

Since the question is about a bc, and having had both a BP/W and jacket style, my advice would be go for the back plate and wing.

But were I to do it over, I'd get a drysuit first then the rest of the stuff as you can.



Safe diving!

My girlfriend and I just got certified last fall and have no dives since then. I learned on a weight integrated jacket BC but I've been reading lots of threads here and reviews in Scubadiving magazine about Back-inflate BCs and the BP/W setup.

I see a lot of people switch to a BP/W and really like it. I like the back inflate idea and I'm wondering if I should start with a BP/W, or should I get some more diving experience on a traditional BC for any reason?

I know very few divers in the area and borrowing gear is difficult. Also my LDS is $$$ to rent gear. It would probably be cheaper to buy gear on the internet and then sell it if I don't like it.

I live a few miles from a large lake and can practice all day in 5' of water if I need to.

My diving will be NY in the summer and FL in the winter, with a little SoCal time occasionally when I visit my brother. So I'll usually be wearing a wetsuit.

Also, what do you think about using weight integrated pockets with the BP/W? It's the only system I know at this point.

I could afford the $500 range if needed, which I think should get me a good BC system of any style.

 

[cummings66]

I read about how much more streamlined bp/w's are but after they add pockets, integrated weight pouches, plate covers and etc. its no more streamlined than my Stiletto.

Not all BP/W divers add what you've just wrote. I've yet to see a BP/W used trick it out like a jacket style BCD, could be done I suppose but it's not common around these parts.