Stupid Question: What's the difference...

[Blackwood]

Between Back Inflation and BP/W?

 

[ZoCrowes255]

a BP/W is a type of backinflation BC

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Between Back Inflation and BP/W?

A back-inflate BCD ... as the name suggests ... uses an air bladder that is situated on your back (effectively surrounding your scuba cylinder) for buoyancy control. The other popular design is a jacket-style BCD ... it uses an air bladder that surrounds your torso.

A BP/W (backplate/wing) is a type of back-inflate BCD ... but it's not what people usually mean when they use the term.

Most BCD's are an all-inclusive unit ... the harness that holds the BCD to your body is stitched to the back part that supports the cylinder on your back, and the bladder is sewn into the back of the BCD. When you purchase this type of BCD, you get the whole enchilada as a single piece of gear.

A BP/W is a modular type of BCD. The backplate is one piece, the harness is one piece, and the bladder (or "wing") is one piece. There are different styles of each, and you can mix and match backplate, harness, and wing to suit your particular needs. You can purchase each piece separately, or purchase an entire, preassembled unit ... depending on what you want.

It's kind've like buying a stereo ... you can either buy one where everything comes packaged in a single box, or you can buy one that has the receiver, CD player, and speakers as separate units.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[The Kraken]

Bob,
The stereo is a GREAT analogy!!! May I use it?

the K

 

[DA Aquamaster]

Bob's analogy is very good and works 95% of the time. However there are some cross over back inflate BC's that perhaps blur that line a bit as, if desired, a backplate can be added. And from the other side of the street, some units considered by many to be BP/wings like the DR transplate have a more or less integrated harness system that makes them functionally identical to the cross over back inflate BC's.

 

[Laser]

Not to turn this into a BP/W vs. the world, -- great description to a new guy NW, by the way, -- but a nice ancillary benefit of a BP/W is that it will fit everyone perfectly. Adjustments to the harness are all that's needed. No sizes etc. to deal with. Custom fit every time ( if fitted properly )

 

[Blackwood]

Okay, so it's a square and a rectangle sort of thing. All BP/Ws are back inflate (obviously), but not all back inflates are BP/W.

People seem to use them interchangebly, which I suppose makes sense because they are usually drawing a distinction between back inflation and all-around inflation rather than the form of back inflation.

Is modularity (including the ability to switch out the wing for a multi-tank setup) the primary advantage BP/W setups have over 'all-in-one' back inflate systems?

Thanks!

 

[Boogie711]

Is modularity (including the ability to switch out the wing for a multi-tank setup) the primary advantage BP/W setups have over 'all-in-one' back inflate systems?

Thanks!

It's AN advantage, but not the only one. Others include ruggedness, simplicity, lack of bouyant padding, and the most important (in my mind) - a completely custom fit that fits anyone perfectly.

 

[Bob3]

Umm... one size BP doesn't fit all; a GOOD BP line will be available in a couple different lengths in order to accommodate the tall and/or shorter folks.
If your waist band is up on the rib cage, a longer BP is needed. Likewise, if the thing is digging into the hips, it is too long.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Bob,
The stereo is a GREAT analogy!!! May I use it?

the K

Of course!

Not to turn this into a BP/W vs. the world, -- great description to a new guy NW, by the way, -- but a nice ancillary benefit of a BP/W is that it will fit everyone perfectly. Adjustments to the harness are all that's needed. No sizes etc. to deal with. Custom fit every time ( if fitted properly )

Almost ... but keep in mind that BP/W doesn't necessarily imply a one-piece harness. Several manufacturers make multi-piece harnesses that work very similar to a traditional BCD ... Dive Rite, Oxycheq, and Deep Outdoors for example. These harnesses must be purchased in something approximating the correct size, since their design imposes adjustability limits (unlike a single-piece web harness). But they offer features that some users find attractive, such as quick-release buckles, sternum strap, or shoulder pads.

For the newer diver, size is also an important consideration when determining an appropriate wing. The type of diving you'll be doing, cylinder size, and exposure equipment must all be taken into consideration in order to get the best advantage out of the "component" approach to a buoyancy control device.

And, as someone already mentioned, many backplate manufacturers make different length backplates to accommodate taller or shorter than normal people. Backplates also come in different thicknesses and materials, and that affects weight and buoyancy characteristics. Again, to optimize the performance of your system you should take into account how the backplate will work with your choice of cylinder, exposure suit, and trim weights (if used).

A backplate/wing system gives you choices that all-inclusive BCDs won't give you. They are almost infinitely customizable ... which is why they are usually more popular with divers who dive a lot, and are willing to spend the time required to optimize their gear to get every little bit of extra performance they can. Many people don't want them and don't need them. Nothing wrong with that at all. It's all about choices ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)